Will Kathrein is currently set to graduate from Creighton University School of Law in May 2023. Will has a special interest in assisting youth and families, working as a Case Manager at PromiseShip/St. Francis Ministries and a Family Youth Specialist for the University of Kansas Medical Center. At Creighton University, he is part of the Energy, Environmental, and Sustainability Law Society and serves as a 2L Representative on the Student Bar Association.
Q: What are three key lessons about the legal field that you will take with you from your time at Fraser Stryker?
A: “1 – 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.
2 – The work you do matters. I realized that my work would sometimes go unnoticed in some of my past jobs. However, as a lawyer, almost everything you do is hugely important for the specific client you are working with.
3 – The legal profession is very people-focused. Before my time at Fraser Stryker, I thought most lawyers do not have regular contact with people. Now I know that lawyers are regularly in and out of meetings and hearings, which is something I look forward to.”
Q: How has your experience as a Fraser Stryker Summer Associate helped prepare you for your legal career?
A: “My experience as a Fraser Stryker Summer Associate helped prepare me for my legal career by allowing me to see how highly successful attorneys work. I could see their work product, what their day-to-day is like, and talk to them about their careers while getting advice for my own.”
Q: What words of wisdom would you pass along to the next class of Summer Associates?
A: “I would tell them 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. Also, I would say that if they have a practice area they are interested in, be vocal about it, and seek out attorneys who do that type of work. The attorneys will be happy to have your help on a project, sit in on a meeting with a 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.