Seigfreid Bingham is one of the largest firms in Kansas City and is the law firm of choice for people looking for the absolute best work environment.
We take culture seriously. We’re not just a Kansas City law firm; we’re a family. And we believe in supporting our family both in and outside of the office.
Our recruiting efforts are focused on professionals who are driven to succeed.
Clients expect a lot out of their law firm. Attorneys and other legal professionals must be able to offer reliable and creative solutions to their clients’ legal problems and questions. But to be truly successful, attorneys and other legal professionals must also be aware of the bigger picture, understand how their recommendations will fit into that bigger picture, and also be competent in making business recommendations outside of the legal recommendation itself.
That’s tough. And professionals who can perform all of those tasks will have many opportunities in front of them.
If that description fits you and if you are driven to use those capabilities in a way to support clients and the community, we want to talk to you!
We celebrate diversity.
Our diversity makes us better. And it makes our services more valuable for our clients.
For that reason, we spend a great amount of time thinking about diversity in the legal industry. At the outset, our goal is to expand our recruiting efforts to find the most unique individuals interested in serving our clients and our community. Beyond recruiting, we take pride in our work environment and go to great lengths to ensure that every team member in our office is treated equally and that diversity is celebrated. You’ll fit right in if you believe in inclusion, not exclusion.
We also consider how we can give back to our community and support those in need. Our attorneys participate in many organizations and activities that promote access to justice for everyone. For example, we were among the first Kansas City law firms to support the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association’s formal Commitment to Diversity and its Diversity Action Plan.
Our attorneys and staff are active in the community.
We love Kansas City and the broader Midwest region. And we show that love through our involvement in the community.
Examples of our involvement include:
- Karla Shepard’s role as the board chair for Happy Bottoms, an organization that has distributed over 3 million diapers to children in need in Kansas City.
- Fred Bellemere’s support of veterans as a pro bono service provider for the KCMBA’s Military Matters.
Our family is happy at work.
Among our top goals is to have fun. That’s why we volunteer in groups at local charitable events, attend entertaining events including happy hours and sporting events (including the Chiefs, Royals, and Sporting KC), and host a large party at the American Royal World Series of BBQ every year.
One of our core recruiting efforts includes recruiting and training law students who care deeply about making a difference in the world.
Towards that end, we have a robust and well-developed summer associate program in which you will have the opportunity to learn what it takes to be a great lawyer. But more importantly, you will have the opportunity to learn how the Seigfreid Bingham team supports its community and pushes for greater diversity every day.
Our Summer Associate Program
You won’t be a runner. You’ll be an active member of our team. We think it is important for you to get your feet wet so that when you graduate law school you are prepared to take on real legal work.
You’ll gain valuable experience participating in trial preparation, research and writing, depositions, and advocating for clients in the courtroom. You’ll be in the conference room when we meet with clients and you’ll learn how to work on transactions and bring matters to a close.
And to make sure you don’t feel lost in all the commotion, you’ll be paired with a mentor. In the same way our mentors help our associates grow into great lawyers, your mentor will work with you to make sure you are receiving the work and education needed to help you succeed as a new attorney after graduation. Click here to learn about our mentor program.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many summer associates do you hire each year?
We typically hire 2 to 3 summer associates but it varies from year to year depending upon the firm’s needs.
Do you hire 1Ls?
Our summer program is currently limited to 2Ls.
Do you allow split summers?
We consider split summers on a case by case basis. However, we think the best way for you to become fully integrated into our firm is by spending your entire summer with our team.
How long is the summer associate program?
Our program typically lasts 10-12 weeks, beginning mid to late May and ending in early August.
What qualifications do you look for in summer associates?
We seek students who are well-rounded and intelligent and have the potential to become great lawyers. We not only look for superior academic performance, but also previous work history, extracurricular activities and interpersonal skills. Other factors such as law review/journal experience and moot court are favorably viewed.
What is a typical callback interview like?
A typical callback interview consists of a short tour of the firm, three 30-minute interview sessions, and a social component.
What materials should I submit to be considered for a summer associate position?
Please submit your cover letter and resume through our online submission form.
What is the compensation for summer associates?
Compensation for summer associates is based on first-year associate salaries.
What is the firm’s billable hour requirement for full-time attorneys?
There are no minimum billable hour requirements for summer associates. New associates are expected to complete 1700 billable hours each year but actual hours vary with client demand and workload.
How are summer associates evaluated?
Summer associates receive feedback through various methods. The assigning attorneys give direct feedback to summer associates on specific assignments. In addition, mentors give feedback throughout the summer.
The Recruiting Committee solicits more formal assessments at the end of the summer and these results will be relayed to the summer associate during an exit interview. Hiring decisions are made shortly after the conclusion of the summer program.
Developing associates into great lawyers is imperative for the future of our firm and the future of our community.
That’s why we invest heavily in our associates to make sure they become the best lawyers. As a result of this investment, associates often become shareholders faster at Seigfreid Bingham than at other large Kansas City law firms. In fact, all associates are considered for shareholder status five years after joining the firm as licensed attorneys.
Our mentor program will help you become a real lawyer.
Once you join our team you will be paired with a mentor to provide valuable assistance to your professional growth. Your mentor serves various roles, all of which are critical to your success. And we make sure to rotate your mentor from time to time to ensure that you encounter different perspectives on how to become a real lawyer.
- Career Development: Your mentor will work with you to help you get experience in different areas of the law to make sure your career develops at an appropriate pace so you can become a shareholder when ready.
- Feedback: Your mentor will make sure you receive regular and constrictive feedback from attorneys with whom you work on a regular basis to ensure you are performing to the best of your abilities.
- Workload Management: Your mentor will ensure you always have enough work to keep you busy, but never so much that you feel like you are drowning.
- Networking: Your mentor will help you make connections both inside and outside of the firm to help you with business development.
- Sounding Board: Your mentor will make sure your opinions are heard among the shareholders.
SB University will teach you what you need to know.
You’ll learn a lot in law school but you’ll learn even more when you enter the legal profession. But creating structure to maximize how you develop better legal skills is important. That’s why we created SB University.
SB University is an ongoing series of presentations and discussions conducted by Seigfreid Bingham shareholders and experienced associates. Topics include substantive legal training, how to practice law, how to market your services, and how to better serve your community. The content is always changing and being updated to keep up with changes in the profession and business world.
The Seigfreid Bingham compensation package is very competitive.
Seigfreid Bingham is a member of The National Association for Law Placement and you can learn about summer associate and associate compensation and benefits in our NALP Survey.
We also provide a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees.
It’s no secret that administrators, assistants, paralegals, and other staff members play a critical role in a law firm’s success.
That’s why we place a big emphasis on hiring great staff members in addition to great lawyers.
We also celebrate diversity and make sure that every member of our team is included in everything we do. If our culture and success sound appealing to you, we invite you to submit your resume through our online application process.
Or you can submit your cover letter and resume to the following:
Seigfreid Bingham, PC
Attn: Human Resources
2323 Grand Blvd., Ste. 1000
Kansas City, MO 64108
Join Our Team
If you want to provide creative and innovative services to solve clients’ problems, you should join Seigfreid Bingham.
Seigfreid Bingham, PC
Human Resources
2323 Grand Blvd., Ste. 1000
Kansas City, MO 64108
“I enjoy working in a small firm atmosphere on cutting edge legal issues. For example, I obtained the first hospital Physician Hospital Organization ruling in the nation from the I.R.S.”
“I take my mentoring responsibility very seriously. We owe it to our associates to provide them with the advice and counsel which will enable them to succeed. Their success is inextricably bound to our own. Good mentoring leads to a win-win situation for all of us.”
“The practice of law is a marathon, not a sprint. You’ve got to structure your practice – and your life – around what you enjoy at a pace you can live with for the long term. Mentoring is designed to help make that happen.”
“I don’t look at it that we’re hiring ‘associates.’ What we’re recruiting is future owners of this firm – that’s the only position we have available.”
“At my first interview, I felt an instant kinship with Larry Bingham, Jack Selzer and Duane Fox as we talked about the firm, Kansas City, my future, and whether chance or design is the guiding force in the universe.”
“Although our lawyers have differing personalities and interests, we respect and enjoy each other’s differences.”
“To me, one of the great appeals of Seigfreid Bingham was the 5-year partnership track. That’s hard to find any more with a firm of this quality.”
*Seigfreid Bingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer that offers challenging employment opportunities. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, sex, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, veteran’s status, or genetics.