William Kathrein is currently attending Creighton University School of Law with a graduation date of May 2023. Will is a Student Bar Association 1L Representative and has received a Dean’s Academic Scholarship.
Q: What are the three biggest lessons/takeaways from your time as a Fraser Stryker Summer Associate?
A: “1 – You get the work you ask for. I played basketball in college, and one of the practice areas I said I was interested in was a non-profit organization, so one of the first projects I ended up with was helping set up and organize a non-profit that helps get high school basketball players not academically eligible to play at some Universities to find a community college they can play at.
2 – Be a clear communicator with your clients and within the firm. Asking the right questions and keeping people in the loop can help you finish a project much more efficiently.
3 – Before accepting the job, a lot of people would say to find a good culture fit for you, but what I realized about Fraser is that you don’t have to fit into any sort of mold. There is an eclectic group of people at this firm, and they welcome new and different authenticity.”
Q: How did your practice area interest(s) strengthen or change during your time as a Fraser Stryker Summer Associate?
A: “My interest in litigation went from a maybe, to something I’m very interested in. I really enjoyed drafting briefs, drafting complaints, and writing memorandums.
I also feel lucky I was assigned a wide variety of projects such as non-profit organization, policy research and writing, drafting demand letters, and drafting contracts, just to name a few. This allowed me to gain a wide variety of legal experience.”
Q: What words of wisdom can you give to the next class of Summer Associates?
A: “I would tell them that they must have worked hard to get here, so first off, enjoy yourself. Fraser Stryker sets up a lot of great activities for summer associates such as meeting a federal judge, weekly lunches with attorneys, building a house with Habitat for Humanity, happy hours, and many others.
I would also tell them you can shape the summer associate program how you would like it. If you have a practice area you are interested in, be vocal about it, and seek out the attorneys who do that type of work. They will be happy to have your help on a project, sit in on a meeting with the client, or even attend a court hearing with them.”
About the Fraser Stryker Summer Associate Program
The Summer Associate Program is structured to give summer associates a realistic experience, which is comparable to that of a first-year attorney. Visit the Fraser Stryker Summer Associate Program page to learn more about our program.
This article has been prepared for general information purposes and (1) does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship, (2) is not intended as a solicitation, (3) is not intended to convey or constitute legal advice, and (4) is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney. Always seek professional counsel prior to taking action.