Careers
What is the timing of your recruiting schedule?
For Summer Associates, we begin the process during the late summer or early fall of each year for the following summer. To be considered, either send us your materials in late August, or participate in your school’s OCI program. Our Summer Associate process is generally completed by early December. Our advice is to get us your application as early as possible for best consideration.
If you miss the above OCI window, chances are we will have already progressed past the point where we can give your application full consideration.
For full-time and lateral hiring, we are always actively looking, depending on the particular needs of the firm at the time of the application. In other words, send us your materials any time.
Do you participate in on-campus interviewing (OCI), and if so, at what schools?
We regularly participate in OCI at the University of Hawaii. In the recent past, we have done OCI at Boalt Hall, UC Hastings, and at the University of California at Davis School of Law (King Hall). We also recruit actively at other California law schools including Stanford, McGeorge, U.S.F., UCLA, USC, Pepperdine, Loyola (LA), and Southwestern.
I attend a law school at which you are not interviewing. May I send you a resume?
Of course. Get more information about the process, or—during the fall recruiting season—simply send us your materials. If you choose the mail route, send your resume and a cover letter to:
Matthew T. Evans
Chair, Hiring Committee
Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert
1600 Pauahi Tower
1003 Bishop Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
To email your materials, please convert to Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format and email to Matthew T. Evans.
What materials do you need?
We ask for:
- Resume or C.V.
- Cover Letter explaining your interest in the firm
- List of references
- Law Students and recent graduates: Copy of Transcript (Unofficial OK)
- For laterals or 3L’s – your Hawaii Bar number, or date you will be taking the Hawaii Bar Examination
- We do not need a writing sample
We ask for these materials in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format.
Do you interview third year law students and laterals?
Yes, although not during the on-campus process. While the focus of OCI and recruiting is our Summer Associate Program (which is for those law students who have finished their second year) we accept resumes from 3L’s and practicing attorneys for positions as Associates. Interviewing for such positions is case-by-case and usually takes place at the firm’s offices in Honolulu.
Do you hire law students who are between their first and second years?
Usually, no. Again, our focus for the Summer Associate Program is those students who have finished their second year of law school.
How many Summer Associates do you hire each year?
It depends upon our anticipated future hiring needs for associates.
How many Summer Associates did you have in past years?
It varied. Anywhere from five summer associates to one, depending on our future staffing needs. In the past, we have had as few as one Summer Associate, and as many as five. In recent years, our summer associates have been students from UC Davis, the University of Hawaii, NYU Law, UC Hastings, Boalt Hall, McGeorge, William & Mary, and Santa Clara Law.
Where can I find out more about the Summer Associate Program at Damon Key?
Read about the details of the Program here.
I don’t live in Hawaii. Will the firm assist me with transportation and finding some place to live?
For Summer Associates who are attending mainland law schools, we offer reimbursement for one coach round-trip ticket from your home or law school to Honolulu. We also may be able to provide you with assistance in finding a place to live for the summer.
How long is your Summer Associate Program?
In order for the firm and the Summer Associate to have a meaningful experience, we expect that they stay with us for 8 – 10 weeks. We are very flexible on start and end dates, depending on the Summer Associate’s and the firm’s schedule.
Is it true Hawaii law firms only hire people from Hawaii?
While we can’t speak for the rest of the Hawaii legal community, it is not true at Damon Key. A review of the backgrounds of our attorneys and recent Summer Associates reveals a wide spectrum of origins and education.
Of course, we expect that our Summer Associates have realistic expectations of what it means to live and practice law in Hawaii, but we do not limit ourselves only to those who live or have lived there. We are looking for future lawyers with a broad range of experiences and backgrounds.
Do you accept externs, interns, or other positions “for experience only?”
Generally no, we are not able to accommodate students or non-U.S. lawyers who are looking for such positions.
I have more specific questions. Can I contact someone who will answer them?
Contact Matthew T. Evans with any questions that are not answered by this FAQ, or the Careers subweb.