Inside Foley’s 2026 Summer Associate Retreat: Building a Foundation for Practice
What is it really like to start your career at Foley?
This June, summer associates from across the firm came together in Chicago for a multi-day retreat designed to answer that question in a real, tangible way.
The program offered a closer look at how the firm operates day to day, how attorneys collaborate, and how associates contribute early in their careers. Through conversations with firm leadership, clients, and associates, the experience connected the firm’s broader strategy with the realities of everyday practice.
Opportunities throughout the program also gave summer associates the chance to connect across offices and practice areas, reinforcing how collaboration shapes both the work and the associate experience at Foley.
Understanding How the Firm Works in Practice
Understanding a firm’s platform is one thing — seeing how it comes together in real client work is another.
Through sessions with department leaders, summer associates gained insight into how teams across Corporate, Litigation, and Intellectual Property work together to deliver seamless client service. They also heard from Chairman and CEO Daljit Doogal and Managing Partner Steve Vazquez, who shared perspective on the firm’s direction and priorities, including client service, collaboration, and innovation, and how those priorities translate into the associate experience.
A personal branding workshop complemented these discussions, encouraging summer associates to be intentional about how they show up, contribute, and build credibility from day one.
Hearing What Clients Value Most
A highlight of the retreat was a client panel featuring in-house counsel, who shared direct, candid feedback on what differentiates strong junior associates. The conversation underscored how small, day-to-day habits build trust over time.
Key takeaways included:
- Be well prepared and know the details of your work.
- Communicate clearly and deliver work product that is easy for clients to use and act on.
- Take the time to understand the client’s business and the broader context of their work.
- Take ownership and build trust through accountability and follow-through.
- Ask thoughtful questions and contribute meaningfully to the team.
Building Relationships From Day One
Relationships are central to the Foley experience — and to long-term success as an associate.
The retreat created opportunities to connect across offices and practices through both structured and informal programming. During the Affinity Group Leads Expo, summer associates met with firm leaders and learned how to get involved in communities that support mentorship, development, and inclusion.
Those connections continued beyond the conference room, with events across Chicago — including a river and fireworks boat cruise and an evening at the Field Museum — giving summer associates additional opportunities to connect more personally with peers and attorneys.
Connecting Work With Community Impact
The retreat also reinforced that a career at Foley extends beyond client work. As part of the firm’s partnership event with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, summer associates heard from community leaders and participated in a hands-on service activity supporting local Chicago Clubs.
The experience highlighted another dimension of the Foley experience, with opportunities to engage meaningfully with and contribute to the communities we serve.
Moving From Summer Experience to Full-Time Practice
In a candid associate panel, Foley attorneys shared their experiences moving from the summer program into full-time roles, offering practical guidance on managing assignments, navigating competing priorities, and incorporating feedback early in their careers.
Together, these conversations reinforced a clear message: success at Foley starts early, with initiative, strong communication, and a willingness to engage fully with both the work and your colleagues.
As the retreat came to a close, one theme stood out: the summer experience at Foley is intentionally designed to reflect what life at the firm is really like — collaborative, engaging, and grounded in meaningful client work. We’re excited to see the impact this class will make throughout the summer and as they continue their careers.
