Every summer in June and July, Kubicki Draper is excited to introduce its annual summer law clerks to the firm to participate in an engaging summer program. Shareholders Nicole Wulwick (Miami), Jennifer Remy-Estorino (Miami) and Marsha Moses (Tampa) begin the summer recruitment process one year before, embarking on interview programs throughout Florida’s predominant law schools including the University of Florida, University of Miami, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, St. Thomas University, Florida State University, and Stetson University to select the most highly motivated students to work alongside the firm’s attorneys in offices throughout Florida.
The summer program prides itself on allowing the summer clerks to work with all of the attorneys in the office they work in, rather than being paired with a singular attorney. This allows the student to explore all areas of the law, rather than being limited to exploring only one area of practice throughout the two-month program. Clerks have opportunities to strengthen their reading, writing, and oral argument skills. They focus their work on legal research, drafting legal motions and memorandum of law, assisting with defense and trial strategy, and working hand-in-hand with attorneys on preparation for hearings, depositions, mediation, and trial. The most rewarding part of the program is the opportunity to attend hearings, depositions, mediation and trial on the cases in which the summer clerks have assisted. Clerks benefit from learning a variety of legal strategies and styles by assisting multiple attorneys throughout the summer.
Nicole, Jenny, and Marsha, also coordinate opportunities during the summer program geared towards development and education of our future attorneys. Kubicki Draper is proud to have so many attorneys that are former clerks, who are proud to share how their experiences as a summer law clerk at KD has shaped their future at the firm.
A few thoughts from our former law clerks, who are now attorneys at KD!
Brad McCormick (Miami office, 1992 summer clerk, currently: Firm President)
What is something unique or special you remember from your time as a clerk?
The firm’s culture was welcoming. Everyone cared — not just about themselves or their cases but rather the firm and its parts.
How has participating in the summer clerk program helped you become an attorney at the firm?
The program gave me a running start and the opportunity to learn from some of the best trial attorneys in the state.
Jill Aberbach (Fort Lauderdale office, 2013 summer clerk, currently: Shareholder)
What is something unique or special you remember from your time as a clerk?
I was exposed to real legal work and not just “busywork,” I got exposure to the court room, hearings, depositions, mediation, and was exposed to different practice areas.
How has participating in the summer clerk program helped you become an attorney at the firm?
It helped me realize that I wanted to work with the attorneys at the firm and be a part of the company. It also helped me develop my work ethic.
Ashley Findeisen (Fort Lauderdale office, 2022 summer clerk, currently: Associate)
What is something unique or special you remember from your time as a clerk?
I clerked with Ashlie Avila, and we now work alongside each other in the same division!
How has participating in the summer clerk program helped you become an attorney at the firm?
The summer clerk program gave me early exposure to the firm’s practice areas, where I got to develop my skills and gain insight into the analytical and strategic approaches to each case.
Matthew Lopez (Miami office, 2024 summer clerk, currently: Associate)
What is something unique or special you remember from your time as a clerk?
A unique moment I experienced during my time as a clerk was attending an in-person hearing involving multi-party claims and observing how each attorney prepared and presented their arguments.
How has participating in the summer clerk program helped you become an attorney at the firm?
The summer clerk program has helped expose me to different areas of law, which helped determine the area I was most interested in. Along with this, the program is built to work with many teams which pushed me to be flexible and adopt to how each team manages their cases.