Though large firms around the country have been cancelling their summer associate programs, the trend had yet to hit in Wisconsin.

Until now.

Milwaukee-based Quarles & Brady LLP confirmed that they have “suspended” their 2010 summer associate program. The decision comes less than four months after the firm announced it was shortening this year’s program from 12 to eight weeks.

Chair of Legal Personnel Kathryn M. Buono pointed to the poor economy, and the fact that 23 entry-level associates had their start dates delayed until January 2010, as reasons for the decision.

“We want to ensure that this group of incoming first years has ample work opportunities to develop as associates,” she said in a statement. “The tradition of the summer program has been based on a strong economy and continued increase in the need for legal services.”

That need has dropped off significantly for many firms in the last 18 months, causing many to re-evaluate their summer programs.

Though Quarles is the only firm in the state so far to confirm its cancellation of the 2010 summer program, others have shortened their programs or reduced the number of hires.

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren SC trimmed its program from 12 to 10 weeks this year, and Godfrey & Kahn SC went from 12 weeks to nine.

Kelly S. Conrardy, co-chair of the recruiting committee at Godfrey & Kahn SC, said the firm will not cancel its 2010 program. But the firm has modified its recruiting efforts and Conrardy said she would be “shocked” if the program is more than nine weeks next year.

She noted in some cases the firm is handpicking recruits from out-of-state schools for video interviews, rather than sending representatives to campus.

“We are being conservative by signing students who we really think might stick around,” she said.

The firm also deferred start dates for its nine incoming associates from early September to the end of the month.

What’s next

The move by Quarles could create a domino effect for other large firms in Wisconsin, said Marquette University Law School’s Assistant Dean for Career Planning Paul D. Katzman.

“It’s the trickle-down effect,” Katzman said. “Fewer opportunities with Quarles mean more students are in play for the remaining positions and that creates more competition with other lawyers.”

Many firms are still in the process of evaluating this year’s crop of summer associates and deciding whether to extend employment offers.

Quarles marketing director Julie Cole said that the firm does not want to get too many new attorneys in the pipeline and then have to rescind offers.

She said the firm could reinstate its summer program if the economy shows signs of recovery.

But at this point, Quarles wants to take a “conservative” approach, Cole said.

Recruiting across the board is down. Katzman estimates about a 15 percent drop in the number of firms that plan to visit campus this fall.

According to Jane Heymann, Assistant Dean for Career Services at UW Law School, the number of firms visiting campus could be “half” as many as last year.

“There will be a dramatic cutback in the number of students who get interviewed,” she said.

“Instead of interviewing 60 students, they may only interview 20 or not come at all.”