Frequently Asked Questions

As a firm which has specialized in intellectual property for more than 100 years, Darby provides a unique experience for summer associates, full-time lawyers, patent agents, and scientific advisors. Unlike a general practice firm with an intellectual property group, Darby's practice includes the full spectrum of intellectual property, from biotech and electrical engineering to Internet/new media, trademark and copyrights and software and telecommunications. Darby believes in hands-on training and gives its attorneys as much responsibility as they can handle as soon as they are ready. There are no arbitrary limits on the kind of work an associate can do. The only limits are their experience, ability and willingness to meet the challenge.

 

In most instances, associates at all levels work directly with the partners, although there will be times when a junior associate will work directly with more senior associates. The firm prides itself on its "open-door" policy. Everyone, and most importantly the partners, is available to provide their guidance and expertise.

 

Associates at Darby are given responsibility early for the matters on which they work. There is no formal schedule for associate development. Associates progress at their own pace and demonstrated ability is recognized and rewarded.

 

No. The firm generally hires a few students each summer who have a liberal arts background and usually fulfills its first year associate hiring needs in the nontechnical areas from the summer program. Therefore, we extend only a limited number of call-back interviews to law students who do not have a technical background and most are given to second year students.

 

The firm does not have a formal rotation program. Associates are encouraged to pursue assignments in as many areas of the firm's practice as their background permits. As time goes by, some lawyers at Darby settle into one area such as patent prosecution and opinion work, litigation or some other area, but this is not required. While some firms will only allow associates to do patent prosecution or litigation, Darby encourages its associates, especially in their early years, to develop a practice that includes many types of assignments.

 

There is no formal assignment program at Darby. Associates are encouraged to develop good working relationships with all of the firm's lawyers.

 

Each year, the size of the firm's second year student class determines whether or not the firm is in a position to accept first year students into the program. Our first year student interviewing is limited to candidates with engineering or science backgrounds. The firm generally does not consider first year students with liberal arts degrees.

 

Darby considers split summer requests on a case-by-case basis. The minimum number of weeks required to fulfill a summer with Darby is eight weeks. We prefer that the student spend his or her first eight weeks with us. First year students are not permitted to split their summer.

 

Darby does not have an internship program for foreign students or practicing lawyers from outside the United States as part of its summer associate program. However, we consider such requests on a case-by-case basis. In addition, we generally do not provide visa assistance for those seeking permanent or temporary employment in the U.S.

 

The firm's minimum billable hours requirement is 1,900 hours per year.

 

The firm encourages its lawyers to participate in pro bono work and in bar association and other related activities. Associates are given billable hour credit for work performed on pro bono matters.

 

The firm's junior associates are expected to provide assistance to more senior lawyers with the preparation of published articles, speeches, treatises and other scholarly works. In an effort to give students a true picture of what it is like to be a full time junior associate at Darby, our summer associates are assigned writing assignments that have been developed by our lawyers. Each assigning lawyer is expected to meet with his or her summer associate on a regular basis to discuss the progress of the assignment. While many of these assignments are usually long-term projects and may not be completed by the end of the summer, the summer associates are expected to factor these assignments into their weekly work schedules. When the article is published, the summer associate will be cited in the author section as having contributed to its preparation.