Summer Associates
Becoming an HBS Attorney
Continuously recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work,” HBS cultivates an inclusive, collegial environment geared toward helping our attorneys succeed. We value diversity and inclusion, recognizing that different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives enable us to provide the best service our clients.
HBS is a full-service firm with a wide range of service areas, offering our attorneys opportunities to pursue their interests as they develop expertise in their preferred areas of practice.
Our Culture
HBS expects quality work, dedication, and professionalism from all of our attorneys and staff, and we extend those values to our approach in serving clients. Our family-like culture is relaxed, considerate, and cheerful. We thrive in an atmosphere of mutual respect and consideration that promotes camaraderie, collegiality, and collaboration. When we notice that a colleague could use an extra set of hands, we pitch in and help without being asked.
Ensuring a Work-Life Balance
Ensuring work-life balance for our employees is important at HBS. We offer flexible work schedules to accommodate individual needs and provide opportunities for attorneys to work part-time yet remain on a partnership track.
Summer Associate Program
The Summer Associate Program is designed both to provide a realistic picture of life as a HBS associate and to assess each participant’s ability to contribute to our firm. Summer associates gain hands-on experience by working on a variety of substantive assignments across all service areas, affording them the opportunity to interact with senior attorneys throughout the firm.
HBS seeks well-rounded, intelligent, and academically superior candidates who will make a positive and meaningful contribution to our firm and take pride in contributing to our commitment to serve clients with excellence.
In August, we conduct on-campus interviews with students who have begun their second year of law school. HBS hires a select number of students to join our firm the summer following their second year of law school. HBS does not consider resumes from first year law students.
For all law students attending school within the state of Georgia, we will interview exclusively through the On Campus Interview process with your school’s Career Services Office. All out-of-state students may apply by emailing a resume and cover letter in PDF format to Jacquelyn Smith Clarke.
Dedicated to Professional Growth
We strive to achieve our vision through teamwork, a comprehensive mentoring program, and a commitment to ensuring a culture of diversity and inclusion. From senior partners to managers to the newest staff member or associate who just joined the firm, HBS continuously seeks opportunities for professional and personal growth for all of our employees.
Internal Attorney Development
At HBS, our philosophy is simple: “It’s about we, not about me.” We attribute our growth to the hard work and allegiance of our attorneys and employees and recognize that each one is a valued part of our team and necessary for our collective success.
Our mission statement reflects our commitment to clients and to our employees whom we equip to thrive in a “personally satisfying firm environment.” As such, the firm strongly believes in the concept of furthering each person’s professional development through the creation and sponsorship of internal development programs such as our Women’s Forum, the HBS Mentoring Program, the Associate Committee, and frequent education sessions that provide continuing legal education (CLE) credits. HBS also has an internal recognition program that gives accolades and positive reinforcement when employees go above and beyond.
Perhaps the best evidence of our focus on positive culture is our long-term client relationships and our frequent addition of new clients who are drawn by our reputation for serving to achieve excellence. We measure our success by the satisfaction of our clients, and we empower all employees to do whatever is necessary for our clients.
HBS encourages its attorneys, professionals, and staff to participate in seminars and training programs on a wide range of topics to best prepare them to excel in their respective field. The Firm provides funding for seminars and educational events to meet the continuing legal education requirements for our attorneys and professional staff. Attorneys are encouraged to attend and speak at industry events and to become active members of professional organizations that promote their professions, better serve our clients, keep current in the marketplace, and enhance their professional development.
Mentoring Program
Our Mentoring Program is dedicated to establishing and cultivating strong relationships within the firm to facilitate the professional and personal development of all participating HBS attorneys. Over the years, the Mentoring Program has helped the firm develop and identify leaders, create new service areas, enhance our working relationships, and assure that attorneys remain responsive to our clients’ ever-changing needs. Participation in the Mentoring Program is mandatory for first- and second- year associates and voluntary for all others.
Women’s Forum
Having strong and effective women leaders at HBS is a priority, and we strive to create a culture where women attorneys succeed as leaders and have the opportunity to become partners. From senior partners to key management positions, HBS continuously seeks opportunities for professional and personal growth for female employees, and our Women’s Forum helps us accomplish that goal.
Associate Committee
We have an active Associate Committee that encourages attorneys to learn from each other, build stronger relationships, and share ideas and strategies among peers. This committee consists of attorneys of varying ranks of professional experience and from across multiple service areas to ensure feedback and concerns are collected from as many viewpoints as possible.