Throughout the summer, we sponsor a variety of lunches in nearby restaurants, as well as dinners at partners' homes to help foster a sense of community. But the experience goes beyond these gatherings—in each city with a formal Simpson Thacher Summer Program, we host a broad range of interactive social events because we genuinely believe that these events help bring our summer associate class together and plant the seeds for lifelong friendships.
In recent years, the New York summer associates have enjoyed a private event at Shake Shack, followed by a production of Shakespeare in the Park; attended office-wide events at Chelsea Piers and the Central Park Zoo; watched a Yankees game from a luxury suite; and participated in a "Summers only" progressive food tour through Harlem to get to know their fellow summer classmates. They have sailed the Hudson River on a private boat and participated in various small, informal events, such as dinner parties hosted by partners, private movie screenings and group SoulCycle classes. Each year our summer associates are welcomed by the New York partners at a memorable dinner in Bryant Park, and they have also participated in our annual office-wide summer social to help recruit rising 2L students.
Palo Alto summer associates have attended the U.S. Open Golf Championship in beautiful Pebble Beach; spent a day touring Napa Valley wineries; watched the hit musical Hamilton; indulged in a chocolate tasting workshop; and enjoyed the annual "Yappy Hour" at the office for Take Your Dog to Work Day. They have experienced the Exploratorium After Dark, followed by dinner on the San Francisco Bay; had dinner at partners' homes; and enjoyed various impromptu events such as happy hours, Lawyers League softball games, ice cream socials, movie nights, local hikes, SoulCycle classes, Warriors NBA Finals watch parties, and concerts at Mountain Winery and Shoreline Amphitheatre.
In Los Angeles, the summer associates have enjoyed dinner at a partner’s home; watched a baseball game at Dodger Stadium; spent a day at Universal Studios Hollywood; and tested their skills at a ping pong tournament at the Mulholland Tennis Club. They have also bonded with our attorneys and their fellow summer classmates through various informal events such as happy hours and local basketball league games.
In Washington, D.C., our summer associates have learned how to create their own Indian cuisine in a private cooking class; enjoyed the excitement of axe throwing; watched the Nationals play the Miami Marlins; showed off their skills with a night of bowling; worked up a sweat at a SoulCycle class; got crafty at a private mixology class; enjoyed The Second City’s America: It's Complicated at the Kennedy Center; and tested their luck at Casino Night.
Houston’s summer associates have cheered on their teams at Houston Dynamo and Astros games; gathered for trivia night, bowling, and TopGolf; bonded at happy hours, casino night and an Escape Room adventure; and dined at Houston’s most celebrated restaurants. They have also enjoyed dinners hosted by each of the Houston partners, as well as a variety of other activates that have allowed them the opportunity to get to know their colleagues and the Firm’s culture.