Inside the Summer Associate Experience
As the summer comes to a close, Gould Cooksey Fennell is proud to recognize Summer Associates Joe Gage and Savannah DeLullo and the contributions they made during their time with the firm.
Throughout the program, Joe and Savannah worked alongside attorneys on legal research, drafting, and client matters while gaining exposure to several of the firm’s practice areas, including estate planning and tax, real estate, and personal injury.
They also had plenty of opportunities to enjoy the social side of summer at GCF, from lunch invitations and office fun to taking a break from the Florida heat at the firm’s Kona Ice social.
Their summer included mentorship from attorneys across the firm and a closer look at the collaboration, preparation, and client service that shape the practice of law. We have enjoyed having Joe and Savannah as part of the GCF team and look forward to seeing where their legal careers take them next.
Getting to Know Our Summer Associates
Savannah DeLullo
Savannah DeLullo
Academic and Career Highlights
Savannah recently completed her first year at Harvard Law School and is currently exploring several areas of law, with a particular interest in transactional work. Her experience at GCF gave her the opportunity to work across multiple practice areas as she continues to determine the direction of her legal career.
During her first year, Savannah received the Best Brief Award for the Appellant in Harvard Law School’s 1L Moot Court competition. This fall, she will participate in the Cyberlaw Clinic and serve as a teaching assistant for Civil Procedure.
Law School
Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA
Undergraduate
The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
B.S., Economics, with a minor in business, summa cum laude
Why did you choose Gould Cooksey Fennell?
I was interested in working with a firm where I could get broad experience, so I liked that GCF has estate planning, real estate, and personal injury practices. I also wanted to work with people who are passionate about the work they do and who are dedicated to excellence in serving their clients. I felt that was evident with everyone I interacted with at the firm before joining.
What did you learn during the summer program that will benefit you during law school/future employment?
I have learned so much during the summer program! Having only completed one year of law school, I haven’t taken many classes beyond the basics, so this summer has been a crash course in trusts, estates, and tax law. I have learned that it is so important to ask questions; everyone is so helpful in teaching me about their work. All of the attorneys and staff at GCF have been a wealth of knowledge to me.
What is the best career advice you have received from Gould Cooksey Fennell?
To be a successful lawyer, you have to love what you do, so be open to trying multiple practice areas to find what you are most passionate about.
How did you like the structure of our summer program?
I have really enjoyed the structure of the GCF summer program! I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of the work I would get to do since I have only done one year of law school. But I have been really pleased with how I was given meaningful assignments from day one. The program is also structured around getting to work with and learn from all of the attorneys across the firm which has been wonderful for me to get to experience multiple practice areas.
Joe Gage
Joe Gage
Academic and Career Highlights
Joe recently completed his first year at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He plans to pursue an LL.M. in Taxation at the University of Florida and is interested in building a career focused on estate planning and corporate transactions.
During the upcoming academic year, Joe will serve as a teaching assistant for Legal Writing courses taught by Duane Daiker, the incoming Legal Writing Professor and Director of Advocacy.
Law School
University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, FL
Undergraduate
Baylor University, Waco, TX
B.B.A., Finance and Pre-Law
Why did you choose Gould Cooksey Fennell?
The complexity and sophistication of GCF’s legal work drew me to the firm. GCF conducts high-net-worth estate planning, which requires an innate understanding of the client and consideration of all potential stakeholders, many of whom have adversarial intentions. The flexibility of estate planning and the complexity of the stakeholders produce fascinating legal issues.
What did you learn during the summer program that will benefit you during law school/future employment?
Trust and Estates work taught me to be detail oriented. Sloppy drafting of estate planning documents increases the liability of litigation and causes problems for the administration of a trust or an estate. Paying close attention to the language of a will or a trust is vital for the execution of the client’s intent.
What is the best career advice you have received from Gould Cooksey Fennell?
The best career advice that I received at GCF was to always maintain professionalism. Part of the role of an attorney is to instill confidence in one’s client, and maintaining professionalism gives a client a sense of security that their issue is in good hands and will be resolved in their favor. Legal issues produce uncomfortable uncertainty for clients, so inspiring confidence in one’s clients is vital for looking after the client’s best interests.
How did you like the structure of our summer program?
The structure of the summer gives summer associates access to interesting legal work from the first day. GCF has an abundance of high-quality legal work, and attorneys always appreciate another legal mind to conduct research or draft a document for their review.
Thank you, Joe and Savannah, for a great summer at GCF. We wish you both the best of luck in law school and wherever your legal careers take you next.
