Continuing a proud tradition, the summer associate program at Finch, Thornton & Baird, LLP offers a proven training ground for future attorneys. The program carries forward a rich University of San Diego legacy, represented by our USD School of Law alumni partners, P. Randolph Finch Jr., Jason Thornton, Jeffrey Baird, Louis Blum, David Damien, Nowell Lantz, Daniel Scholz, Kelly Floyd, Steven Hwang, Michael Mason, Thomas Diamond, and Cory DiBene, and USD Law alumni associate attorneys Dennis Grady Jr., Matthew Seeley, Jacob Goldschlag, and Nathan Nguyen. Additionally, partner Steven Hwang and associate attorneys Maria Ramirez Cornejo and Dennis Grady Jr. earned their LLM degrees at USD.
Building on our long-standing partnership with the University of San Diego School of Law, we were delighted to mentor George McBey and Talula Dechev over their 10-week program this summer. From managing complex legal research and document review to participating in team volunteer efforts, George and Talula embraced every opportunity to develop as legal professionals.
As they prepare for their final year of law school, we couldn’t be more excited to welcome George and Talula back to the FTB family as law clerks starting next week!
Read their full experience statements below:
George McBey
USD School of Law, 2027
The summer associate program at Finch, Thornton & Baird, LLP has been an invaluable experience to begin my legal career. Everyone at the firm was extremely knowledgeable and open to questions which contributed greatly to my development over the course of the program. I was very impressed with the professionalism displayed by the FTB team on a daily basis as well as the emphasis on collaboration and teamwork. This has given me tremendous insight into how to succeed in this practice. I was immersed in a wide array of activities within the legal field including legal research on complex issues, drafting discoveries, and analyzing contracts which gave me a much stronger sense on how to navigate a firm environment. Moreover, construction law touched on many legal subjects making for a dynamic experience in applying many of the concepts I have learned throughout my legal education. Firm social events including the Del Mar Horse Races and Feeding San Diego food bank trip were great ways to get to know the FTB team, learn more about the firm, and further exemplified a strong team-oriented culture. I am extremely thankful for all the relationships I have made over the course of the summer program and for all the valuable guidance from the FTB staff and attorneys.
TALULA DECHEV
USD School of Law, 2027
The Summer Associate Program at Finch, Thorton & Baird, LLP has exceeded all my expectations. Over the past 10 weeks, I had the opportunity to gain experience across a wide range of practice areas, including employment law, construction litigation, transactional matters, and more. From document review and legal research to drafting motions, every assignment challenged me to grow and strengthen my understanding of the practice of law. I am incredibly grateful for the hands-on experience, as well as the guidance and mentorship provided by the attorneys throughout the summer.
Beyond the substantive legal work, the program fostered a welcoming and collaborative environment. Whether we were exploring the restaurants in UTC or getting to know the attorneys and learning about their career paths and interests, there were countless opportunities to build meaningful relationships. The combination of exceptional mentorship, engaging work, and genuine friendship made this an incredibly rewarding experience, and I am grateful to everyone at FTB for making my summer so memorable.
