Six accomplished law school students joined Poyner Spruill LLP during the annual summer associate program. This six-week program gives aspiring attorneys the opportunity to gain insights into working at a firm. Throughout the program, these summer associates obtained hands-on experience by contributing to various practice areas and connecting with attorneys and legal professionals.
Discover what Poyner Spruill’s 2024 class of summer associates have to say about their experiences:
Lauryl Fright (Raleigh) returned to the firm for her second year as a summer associate. She is a rising 3L at Campbell University School of Law.
“I truly enjoyed my second summer with Poyner Spruill. Catching up with the attorneys I met last summer and building my relationships with them made this summer a lot of fun. I appreciated working with all the practice groups—especially the corporate and financial services sections—and with all the attorneys that took time out of their days to bring me in on projects.
This summer I was able to interact with clients on a mergers and acquisitions deal with Chris Dwight. It was insightful seeing how words on a paper affect clients’ business decisions in real life. Amanda Sherin organized a lot of events for the summer clerks to spend time together and with other attorneys, including a treasure hunt—which was a lot of fun!”
Abby Jenkins (Raleigh) is a rising 3L at Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law and has her Master of Arts in teaching from Duke University.
“I cannot speak highly enough of the summer associate program at Poyner Spruill. The work is challenging, engaging, and important. The networking opportunities are meaningful. But, most of all, the people are as good as it gets. From the very first day, the Raleigh office felt welcoming and inviting. The training and orientation prepared me to immerse myself in the work and the office environment. It was quickly evident to me that Poyner Spruill put a lot of effort into making my summer experience worthwhile.
Not only were my mentors great resources, but all of the associates and partners in all of the offices made it a priority to ensure that I got the most out of my six weeks. There are so many brilliant, dedicated, and respected lawyers to learn from at Poyner Spruill. As a rising 3L, I relished the opportunity to observe and engage with experienced and talented attorneys in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Rocky Mount.
Poyner Spruill offers everything a law student could hope for in a summer experience: opportunities to build legal research and writing skills in a variety of practice areas and a welcoming environment that allows for natural and genuine networking and connection-building. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to work at Poyner Spruill this summer. “
Patrick Longest, III (Raleigh/Rocky Mount) is a rising 3L at the University of North Carolina School of Law.
“When I think about my time this summer at Poyner Spruill, I consistently return to three themes—interesting work, healthy culture, good people.
My time with Poyner Spruill entailed a veritable smorgasbord of tasks— from short-detailed research questions to long open-ended assignments. The work was complicated and interesting. I never felt pigeonholed in my research.
The staff and attorneys at Poyner Spruill really care about you. My mentors spent time with me discerning how my skills, interests, and commitments as a person fit into Poyner Spruill’s larger culture.
I was excited about my time with Poyner Spruill because of their reputation for appreciating the lawyer as a whole person, their long history in North Carolina, and their commitment to quality legal services. I am pleased to say that my summer experience matched my excitement.”
Trabia McFall (Charlotte) recently completed her first year at Wake Forest University School of Law.
“My experience as a summer associate with Poyner Spruill has been incredibly rewarding! From day one, I’ve had the pleasure of building relationships with attorneys who have been welcoming and supportive of my professional development. Our summer associate class was also composed of amazing individuals. I loved the collaborative space that we fostered among ourselves. Having the opportunity to network with attorneys and fellow summer associates at events was a fantastic aspect of the program.
Throughout the summer, I assisted attorneys with matters in various areas such as employment, litigation, real estate, construction, tax, torts, and land use and zoning. As a rising second-year student, this wide array of exposure has been invaluable to me. In addition to working on substantive projects, I have been afforded the opportunity to attend meetings alongside attorneys with clients and opposing counsel, gaining firsthand insight into the practice of law.
Overall, my summer with Poyner Spruill has been filled with great experiences and wonderful people. I am very grateful for the knowledge, memories, and growth I’ve gained with the firm.”
Kevin Quintana (Raleigh) returned for his second year with Poyner Spruill as a summer associate. He is a rising 3L at the University of North Carolina School of Law.
“This summer at Poyner Spruill reaffirmed what I experienced last summer: the attorneys and staff are all kind and supportive, the work is sophisticated and interesting, and the firm operates as a collegial, tight-knit unit.
Not only did I have the opportunity to pursue work projects that aligned well with my current interests, but I also got involved in other areas that piqued new interests that I previously never considered. I improved my legal research skills by doing thoughtful analysis of case law, observed interesting mediations and client calls, and even utilized my Spanish speaking skills to assist on a particular matter. Along with performing substantive work, the summer program engaged the summer associates in various bootcamps that taught us more about the internal components of Poyner Spruill and what it is like to be an associate at the firm. Many of the attorneys at the firm have been valuable mentors; I have enjoyed getting to know them both inside the office and outside at numerous social events.
Overall, this summer has been very rewarding, and I am truly grateful to have been afforded such a great opportunity! Though I am sad that the program must eventually come to an end, I am confident that I will be leaving as a stronger, sharper, and skillful legal professional.”
Kayla Zollinger (Charlotte) is a rising 3L at Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.
“During my time at Poyner Spruill, I had the opportunity to work on meaningful projects, get a broad array of experience, and connect with attorneys and mentors who helped me grow as a student and future attorney.
I enjoyed attending all of the summer events, which were a great way to get to know everyone and served as a great introduction to the firm. My favorite part of the summer experience is how my skills quickly developed through coaching and feedback from attorneys. I am so grateful for my time here in the Summer Clerk program at Poyner Spruill!”
