Summer Associates

Ellis Lawhorne’s Summer Associate Program provides a valuable educational experience for law students.  The program allows students to apply the abstract legal principles and theories learned in law school to a wide range of matters being handled by the firm.  Because the program is our most significant hiring resource for new associates, the firm’s main goal is to promote the development of our summer associates into forward-thinking, well-trained attorneys.   

Challenging assignments. Each year we ask our summer associates to apply their skills to challenging assignments presented by the firm's clients.  As a summer associate, you will have the opportunity to handle assignments from every lawyer in the firm, and you can request assignments from specific practice areas that are of particular interest to you.  Throughout the program, you will be evaluated and receive constructive feedback on your work.  You will also have the opportunity to observe trials, hearings, mediations, arbitrations, depositions, real estate closings, and conferences with clients and witnesses.  Summer associates are also included in practice area meetings and firm seminars on topics such as ethics and discovery practice, providing insight into the practical side of being an attorney.

Experience our culture. Ellis Lawhorne’s Summer Associate Program is the best way for aspiring attorneys to decide if Ellis Lawhorne meets their expectations on both a professional and personal level and for the firm to evaluate each student’s prospects for a career at Ellis Lawhorne.  In addition to the business contact with attorneys within the office, you will have the opportunity to socialize outside the office and get to know the Ellis Lawhorne attorneys on a more personal basis at firm lunches, cookouts and other events.  Ellis Lawhorne encourages its second-year summer associates to split the summer with other firms and compare the experiences.  We want to make sure  prospective associates know that Ellis Lawhorne is the place they want to be.

If you are interested in applying for the Summer Associate Program, please contact the following attorney:

A. Johnston Cox
Ellis, Lawhorne & Sims, P.A.
Post Office Box 2285
Columbia, South Carolina 29202
Direct Dial: 803.212.4969
Email: jcox@ellislawhorne.com