Francisco Luttecke George Washington University, Law School class of 2007; member of the 2006 clerk class

Firm Culture. What does it even mean? Is there a traditional dance you have to learn? Perhaps certain articles of clothing are indigenous to the firm. What are the culture’s traditional dishes? Do the partners all share a fascination with a certain impressionist painter? These (and other) errant thoughts would scurry through my head every time I’d use “firm culture” as part of an answer to a question in an interview.

As it turns out, of all the catchphrases that become commonplace in the weeks of interviews a student undertakes, “firm culture” is hands down, without doubt the most important one. “Complex and sophisticated legal work”? If you interview with any large firm, that will be there. In fact, when was the last time you heard of a firm that dealt only with simple and antiquated legal problems? Innovative problem solving? In truth, this one probably doesn’t even actually mean anything. Clients have problems. They need to be solved. Who sits around worrying about whether the solution is innovative enough? Just solve it.

“Firm culture” is not one of these meaningless catchphrases. It’s important, because after the interesting projects have arrived at your desk, after you’ve heard the brilliant partners speak and past the nifty business cards and personalized notepads, you have to ask yourself if you like the attorneys assigning the projects. If you’ll ever see that brilliant partner again, let alone if they’ll take time away to help you with a project. That’s what culture is about. What are the distinctive features that define this firm? What are the values, beliefs and traditions behind a firm? Enough with the rhetorical questions already. It’s time for some answers.

If you’ve read every other clerk statement, you know Bricker is a collegial place. It’s a big firm, with small firm values and attorneys are always willing to talk with, or advise a young clerk or associate. Everyone is treated with respect, and egalitarianism permeates the firm. This clerk statement is not going to be any different. Because there’s no possible way it could be. It’s all true. Everything. I know what it looks like. Clichés. Summer clerks trying to lock up that offer. Think what you may, but it’s all true.

After a summer at Bricker the positive aspects of the firm are palpable. Partners and associates are more than willing to help out a summer associate with a project. They’re also willing to impart wisdom on the career and life path of a young associate. Everyone at Bricker is treated with that brand of respect that cultivates both trust and comfort. The firm assigns summer clerks mentors, but in truth, it’s the firm itself that is the biggest mentor of all. Bricker will mentor you on what kind of attorney you want to be. On what kind of person you want to be. About what type of firm you want to work at. About the values that make a firm not merely prestigious to the outside world, but those that endear a firm to its own lawyers. So yes, this clerk statement is like the others. It sounds more than a bit cheesy, seems a bit over the top, but in the end it’s the absolute truth.

If you want to be treated like a valuable part of a firm, enjoy the work and people you work with, and progress in the legal profession with substance instead of pretension, then give Bricker some very serious thought.