Blog

August 4, 2009

Working in the Seaport

This subject has been touched on by other Summer Associates in past blogs, but since the issue often comes up, I wanted to share my two cents.

Foley Hoag's office in the Seaport is a beautiful, modern facility.  The area itself is beginning to flourish, with more and more businesses and restaurants moving in and setting up shop.  We had a nice preview of the City of Boston's future vision of a bustling Seaport this summer, as the hoopla surrounding the Tall Ships' visit drew massive crowds to the area, flooding the local establishments with new patrons.

July 28, 2009

Foley Hoag Goes Green

In the little kitchen area on my floor (“main street”), the recycling bins are always full and the trash cans relatively empty.  Now I know that Foley Hoag as a firm has made a commitment to being environmentally friendly – think eco-friendly coffee cups, water-saving toilets (seriously), “please consider the environment before you print” messages at the bottom of every email – but what strikes me about the overflowing recycling bin is that it shows that everyone at the firm is on board.  This is not just a company giving lip service to the latest trend in corporate responsibility.  Personally, I do my best to be conscious of the environment, but I know that most of the time my carbon footprint is unnecessarily large.  So on the days when I forget my reusable coffee mug, at least I can feel better about having to use a disposable one knowing that it is compostable (apparently this is possible because the plastic lining is made from plants instead of oil).  It’s a silly little thing, but it makes me proud to be a part of a progressive, forward-thinking firm.            

July 28, 2009

Observations

I have been impressed by the number of observations offered to us this summer.  Throughout the summer, we have received countless emails inviting us to observe attorneys at work.  I have attended trial, motion hearings, client meetings, and client conference calls.  I expected to have one or two such opportunities, but there have been more observations opportunities than I have had time to attend.  Observations are one of the best parts of the summer associate experience.  Before the observations, the attorneys talk with us about the client, the issues, and what we will see.  After the observations, the attorneys often ask us for input about how everything went and answer any questions we have.  Rather than feeling like a third wheel, I felt a part of the team at my observations, which I believe is evidence of the culture at Foley Hoag.

July 27, 2009

Work Assignment System

One aspect of the Foley Hoag summer associate program that I think really distinguishes it from the programs at other firms is the way in which summer associates choose their assignments.  When an attorney has an assignment that is appropriate for a summer associate, they post a description of that assignment on a virtual message board.  Summer associates are free to choose something that interests them from this list of assignments.  The assignments are mostly discrete research assignments that take about a week or two to complete.

July 27, 2009

Work Experience

I never thought I’d say this, but I think my favorite part about this summer has been the work.  Don’t get me wrong – the lunches and other social events have been a blast.  Still, at the end of the day, my goal this summer was to leave with an idea of what Foley Hoag attorneys do on a daily basis.  I have definitely accomplished that goal.

Print

Contact Us

*All Fields Required

I Agree to the Communications Policy within the Terms and Conditions.

Terms and Conditions

Communications Policy

While we are happy to have you contact us by telephone, surface mail, electronic mail or facsimile transmission, merely communicating with Foley Hoag LLP or a Foley Hoag lawyer does not create a lawyer-client relationship unless and until an agreement has been reached between you and the firm to handle a particular matter. Please do not convey to us any information you regard as confidential until a formal lawyer-client relationship has been established. Any information we receive from you prior to the formal establishment of such a relationship will not be confidential.

Foley Hoag LLP is the sole owner of information collected on this site. We will not sell, share, or rent this information to others. in ways different from what is disclosed in this statement. Foley Hoag LLP collects information from our users at several different points on our website.

Our Web site (foleyhoag.com) offers several opportunities for visitors to register for informational update and alert mailings, events, and for assistance in using our online resources. These registration and sign-up forms are often linked to the Foley Hoag LLP mailing list and require users to give contact information (such as name and email address). We use this contact information to send users information about our Firm and their selected areas of interest when requested or necessary. Users may opt-out of receiving future mailings at any time.

Terms of Use Statement

Please read this Terms of Use Statement carefully. By making use of this Site, you indicate your acceptance of the terms stated below. If you do not accept these terms, do not use this Site.

Unless you are already a client of the firm, nothing you send to us via our Web site or e-mail will create a lawyer-client relationship with us, nor will it be treated as confidential. Any message to us should not assume that we will be able to provide you with legal representation and should not contain any information about a subject of possible representation or other confidential information.

This Web site and the materials that it contains have been prepared by Foley Hoag LLP for informational purposes only. This Web site is intended to provide general information about Foley Hoag LLP and not to provide legal advice. We cannot warrant that any materials or information on or obtained from this Web site are current or applicable to your circumstance.

Your use of this Web site or materials or information on or obtained from it does not create a lawyer-client relationship between you and Foley Hoag LLP. You should not take or refrain from taking any action based on materials or information on or obtained from this Web site without obtaining legal advice tailored to your circumstance from a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction.

This Site is not intended to constitute advertising under applicable laws and ethical rules. The Firm does not solicit anyone to seek representation based upon viewing this Site.

Access to the Site

The Firm may alter, suspend, or discontinue this Site at any time for any reason, without notice or cost. The Site may become unavailable due to maintenance or malfunction of computer equipment or other reasons.

Copyright & Trademarks

This Site and all the information it contains, or may in the future contain, including, but not limited to, articles, memoranda, bulletins, reports, press releases, opinions, text, directories, guides, photographs, illustrations, trademarks, trade names, service marks and logos (collectively, the "Content"), is the property of the Firm and is protected from unauthorized copying and dissemination by U.S. Copyright law, trademark law, international conventions, and other intellectual property laws. Nothing contained on this Site should be construed as granting, by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, any license or right to use this Site or any Content displayed on this Site, through the use of framing or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Firm or such third party that may own the trademark or copyright of material displayed on this Site.

Subject to your full compliance with these terms, the Firm authorizes you to view the Content, make a single copy of it, and print that copy, but only for your own lawful, personal, noncommercial use, provided that you maintain all copyright, trademark and other intellectual property notices contained in such Content, and provided that the Content, or any part thereof, is not modified.

Disclaimer of Warranties

You acknowledge and agree that this site is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. None of Foley Hoag, its affiliates, subsidiaries or its or their officers, directors, employees or agents (collectively the “Foley Hoag Parties”) guarantees the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, reliability, suitability or usefulness of any portion of the site, that this site will be uninterrupted or error free, that any specific information that is requested will be provided or that this site or its server are or will be free of computer viruses or other harmful elements. You expressly agree that the entire risk as to the quality and performance of this site and the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the content or services is assumed solely by you. None of the Foley Hoag Parties makes any, and hereby specifically disclaims any and all, representations, endorsements, guarantees, and warranties, express or implied, regarding this site, including without limitation, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, title and non-infringement of third-party rights.

Limitation of Liability

Under no circumstances will any of the Foley Hoag Parties be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information obtained through this site. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this site. In no event shall any of the Foley Hoag Parties be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special or consequential damages arising out of or relating to the site or this agreement, whether based on warranty, contract, tort, or any other legal theory. Because some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for negligence, consequential, incidental or other damages, in such jurisdictions the Foley Hoag Parties’ liability is limited to the greatest extent permitted by law. Your sole remedy for dissatisfaction with this site is to stop using this site.

Response to Online Requests

From time to time, Foley Hoag LLP may offer to provide information or materials via electronic mail or otherwise to interested persons. Foley Hoag LLP reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to reject any requests for such information or materials, or to discontinue the provision of such information or materials to any person, for any reason whatsoever.

Links to Other Sites

This Site may contain links to non-Firm sites. These links are provided to you only as a convenience. Such linked sites are not under the control of the Firm and the Firm is not responsible for the contents of any linked site, or any link contained in a linked site. The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by the Firm of the site, and the Firm shall have no responsibility for information which is referenced by or linked to this site.

Privacy Statement

Because our Site permits individuals to submit electronic mail, we have developed this Privacy Statement to inform Site visitors of our policies and practices regarding such information. At some places on the Site, the use of a "cookie" may be offered. "Cookies" are used on the Firm Site to facilitate use of an area of the Site. We do not use "cookies" to collect and distribute information to third parties for marketing purposes.

Electronic Correspondence to the Firm and Affiliated Servers

While we are happy to have you contact us by telephone, surface mail, electronic mail or facsimile transmission, merely communicating with Foley Hoag LLP or a Foley Hoag lawyer does not create a lawyer-client relationship unless and until an agreement has been reached between you and the firm to handle a particular matter. Please do not convey to us any information you regard as confidential until a formal lawyer-client relationship has been established. Any information you convey to Foley Hoag LLP via the Internet may not be secure, and information conveyed prior to establishing a lawyer-client relationship may not be privileged or confidential.

Enforcement of Terms and Conditions

Indemnification

You agree to make Foley Hoag whole for any and all claims, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) arising from your use of the Site or any violation of this Agreement.

Miscellaneous

In the event that any portion of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the such portion shall be construed in accordance with the applicable law as nearly as possible to reflect the original intentions of the parties, and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. The sections of this Agreement entitled Intellectual Property Rights, Disclaimer, Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, Miscellaneous shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Foley Hoag reserves the right to change, suspend, or discontinue all or any part of this Site or the Content at any time without prior notice or liability. The paragraph headings herein are provided only for reference and shall have no effect on the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. You expressly absolve and release the Foley Hoag Parties from any claim of harm resulting from a cause beyond their control, including, but not limited to, failure of electronic or mechanical equipment or communication lines, telephone or other interconnect problems, computer viruses, unauthorized access, theft, operator errors, severe weather, earthquakes, or natural disasters, strikes or other labor problems, wars, terrorist activities or governmental restrictions. You may not assign this Agreement. No waiver shall be effective unless in writing. Neither the course or conduct between the parties nor trade practice shall act to modify any provision of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, except with regard to its conflicts or choice of law rules. You shall comply with all laws, rules and regulations which are now or hereinafter promulgated by any government authority or agency which govern or apply to the operation and use of the Site. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you expressly agree to comply with such restrictions and not to export control laws of the United States. You are prohibited from any use of the Site that would constitute an illegal offense, give rise to liability or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, national or international law or regulation. All rights not expressly granted herein are reserved by Foley Hoag. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties concerning your use of this Site and supersedes all existing agreements and all other oral, written or other communication between the parties concerning its subject matter.

Copyright © 2008 - 2010 Foley Hoag LLP.

Foley Hoag® is a registered trademark of Foley Hoag LLP.