Why You Should Consider HGS
No burnout. No pigeon holes. No big-city work schedules. Instead, Hopping Green & Sams is a progressive law firm with a fresh and entrepreneurial spirit. A place where open minds, creativity and fresh ideas turn new lawyers into great lawyers.
We believe three things distinguish HGS and make our firm a great place to work: the quality of our practice, the culture of our firm, and the exceptional quality of life in Tallahassee.
Attorneys who seek a challenging legal practice often feel pressure to join law firms in the nation's largest cities. The members of those firms enjoy a sophisticated practice, but they pay a heavy price: the inflated cost of housing; the emotional cost of time spent commuting; the pressurized cost of working under policies which include planned attrition; divisive internal competition; and unreasonable billable hours. There is an alternative. Our lawyers enjoy a sophisticated, challenging and rewarding practice without these burdensome personal costs.
Why We Live in Tallahassee
It's the exceptional quality of life in Tallahassee.
I enjoy living in Tallahassee because it offers abundant cultural opportunities, because of the universities and the state capitol, and because of the outdoor opportunities, including beaches, red clay hills and pine forests. I can spend my weekends listening to great live music, relaxing on some of the country's best beaches, or mountain biking on some of the region's best biking trails. Combining Tallahassee's quality of life with the top-quality work available at the firm, HGS was a natural choice. - David Childs, Associate
I have been an associate with Hopping since 2007. I love being outside with my family, and there are many great ways to do that here, whether we’re hiking or canoeing or just going to the farmer’s market. It’s nice to be in an area that has respected its natural places and beautiful trees… and, the beach is only an hour away! - Paula Cobb, Associate
For more information about Tallahassee, please visit the following links:
- The Tallahassee/ Leon County Online Visitor's Guide which provides information about living and working in the Tallahassee area, prepared by the Tallahassee Area Convention and Visitors' Bureau.
- The Tallahassee Democrat annually publishes a Living Here Guide which provides information about housing and various other services for people moving into the area.
- The Tallahassee Council on Culture and Arts publishes a calendar of cultural events.
- The Tallahassee Trust for Historic Preservation has information on museums and historic attractions.
Why We Work at HGS
The exceptional quality of work and unique firm culture bring great lawyers to HGS.
After working at two of the State's larger firms, I was appreciative of the congenial and relaxed atmosphere at HGS. I work with well-known clients on challenging and sophisticated transactions and cutting-edge legal issues in a comfortable, enjoyable place to practice law. The tremendous amount of assistance I received from the shareholders, associates, and staff eased my transition to life as an HGS associate. - Wes Haber, Shareholder
I joined Hopping Green & Sams after having worked on environmental and litigation issues for a national law firm, state and federal government, and a non-profit environmental law firm. I have enjoyed getting to know the wonderful and talented group of people who comprise the firm. I also appreciate the firm's unique structure, which promotes client sharing, attorney expertise, and ultimately more efficient services for the firm's clients. - Jere Earlywine, Shareholder
It's the culture of the firm that keeps great lawyers here for the long-term. 
In this day and age, it's unusual for a lawyer to spend his or her entire career with the same firm. At HGS, it is commonplace. And it certainly isn't for lack of opportunity. It is the combination of the open, honest, cooperative and respectful culture of the firm, and the sophisticated practice on the cutting edge of public policy. It's comfortable, rewarding and intellectually stimulating all at the same time. I smile in anticipation all the way to work. Not many people can honestly say that, and even fewer law firms make it happen. I can't imagine working anywhere else! - Richard Brightman, Shareholder
One firm policy which embodies our unique firm culture is the sabbatical program. The firm provides a unique benefit to our attorneys in the form of extended paid leave for shareholders. On a seniority basis, the firm provides a six-month sabbatical to each shareholder to pursue activities of the attorney's choice. The firm also provides shareholders with the opportunity to take a second sabbatical of up to three months paid leave and up to three months unpaid leave. The firm's sabbatical program was pioneered in 1986 by the founders of the law firm to enable shareholders to continually expand their knowledge and experience, to gain expertise in other disciplines and cultural experiences of their choice, to travel, and to share unique experiences and time with their families, and to give attorneys opportunities to "recharge."
This program has enjoyed success exceeding all expectations since 1986 and has become a proud tradition among the firm's attorneys. Over time, many of the firm's shareholders, and their families, have enjoyed the unique opportunity to take time away from the daily pressures of life and work and to explore their world. Below are just some of the stories from shareholders who have enjoyed this benefit.
What's worth more than money? Time. At age 39, I had the rare opportunity to take 6 months off work fully paid. With that time, I dropped my kids at school, met them at the school bus, and took them to Versailles and Yosemite. A sabbatical in mid-career is an extraordinary benefit that is virtually unprecedented and only topped by the repeat of that experience recently at age 50. The second time around, it was a chance to adjust to the empty nest and to reinforce the professional advancement of others in the firm. That time has been a gift to me and my family from my partners in the firm, and it was worth more than any other compensation I could receive.- Frank Matthews, Shareholder
What an unforgettable summer I spent with my two children, who were 7 and 9 at the time. We enjoyed spending 24/7 together--traveling together to great places like New York, Washington, DC, the mountains of North Carolina, and the Caribbean. After they returned to school, I volunteered in their classrooms and spent time with them during the business day. This six-month opportunity to reconnect with my family was invaluable, and we all have memories for a lifetime. - Angela M. Uhland, Shareholder
Our Hiring Process for Lawyers
We recruit our attorneys from law schools throughout the country and as lateral candidates. We look for people with a demonstrated commitment to excellence who have the motivation, leadership ability and cooperative spirit necessary for success in our firm and the profession. Academic success is one important indicator of those qualities. Extracurricular activities, including moot court or law review, are also significant. Equally as important is the person's pride, professionalism and ability to work closely with colleagues.
- Hiring Law Students and Recent Graduates
In the fall of each year, Hopping Green & Sams recruits top students from leading law schools throughout the United States as entry level associates for the following year. Third year law students interested in applying for entry level associate positions should check with the Career Services office at their law schools to determine whether or not HGS will be recruiting on campus. Candidates at law schools where we will not be conducting on-campus interviews should send a letter or email to Mike Petrovich explaining why they are interested in HGS, and attaching a resume, transcript and writing sample. In order to ensure full consideration, these materials must be received by us no later than September 1 of each year, for positions beginning the following year. - Hiring Experienced Lawyers
The firm considers and has made lateral hires, both shareholder and associate, as the need arises. Some of our previous lateral hires have come from other law firms, state courts, federal courts, the Governor's office, state agencies, the water management districts, and the EPA. We are interested in individuals with a good work ethic and solid background, who have an interest in practicing governmental related law with a team approach. We offer a compensation package comparable to other firms of our size and type of practice. We also have a merit-based bonus program. The firm offers immediate participation in the 401(k) plan, generous firm contributions to employee retirement accounts, firm paid employee medical coverage, life and ADD insurance, paid vacation and holidays, paid parking, long-term disability coverage, and long-term care coverage.
CDD Lateral Associate
Hopping Green & Sams, P.A. is presently seeking a lateral associate attorney with 1 - 2 years of experience to join the firm’s dynamic and expanding Community Development District(“CDD”) practice group. The CDD practice group establishes and represents Community Development Districts, which are special purpose units of local government engaged in public financing of infrastructure for new communities. Experience in public contracting and bidding, public finance or general representation of local governments is preferred. Superior organizational skills, solid academics and excellent writing skills are needed. Submit resume, transcript and writing sample to Mike Petrovich at mikep@hgslaw.com.
Our Clerkship Program for Law Students
Clerking at Hopping Green & Sams provides a true picture of an associate's life with the firm. I worked with lawyers in all practice areas, which gave me an opportunity to meet everyone and become involved in a wide array of areas. The complex, interesting issues and the firm's culture were major factors in my acceptance of the firm's offer. My life as an associate is just as I imagined, confirming I made the right decision. - Amelia Savage, Associate
Becoming a great lawyer requires learning from the best. That's why we invest significant resources into our clerkship program - to introduce law students to our practice and our firm so that those law students can learn, develop, and become great lawyers. Our clerkship program provides law students the opportunity to try out a wide variety of practice areas, gives them real work experience and client contact, and provides them with practical training programs not offered in law school. Our clerkship program is designed to expose clerks to the "real life" practice of law at Hopping Green & Sams. Attorneys supervise all work assignments, and provide timely feedback. Because the firm has a collective and not hierarchical structure, clerks may work directly with the most junior associate one day, and the most senior shareholder the next. Clerks have the opportunity to witness first-hand the firm's informal atmosphere and collegial approach.
- Getting to Know the Work
Because the firm's practice is concentrated in governmental law, clerks will also have the chance to gain exposure to the "inside workings" of state and federal government. This may include: attending an interim committee meeting of the Florida Legislature; meeting with top officials from federal or state agencies; or attending arguments in the federal and state courts. It is our hope that our summer clerks will obtain some understanding of how regulatory matters are resolved and governmental policy is developed, in addition to the firm's active participation in those procedures on behalf of our clients. - Getting to Know the Firm
Our clerks have a mentor who coordinates their assignments and ensures that they have adequate exposure to all areas of the firm's practice and to the attorneys who work here. Because of the relatively small size of the firm, clerks have the opportunity to get to know all of the firm's shareholders and associates. - Getting to Know Our Lawyers and Families
The firm plans several social outings for summer clerks to have the opportunity to interact with our lawyers on an informal basis. These outings take advantage of both the cultural and outdoor recreational opportunities available in Tallahassee and its surrounding area, including: an annual canoe trip with the firm's lawyers and families along the local Wakulla River; an art gallery hop that occurs on the First Friday of each month in Tallahassee; and a dinner at a shareholder's home for all firm lawyers and families. - How We Hire Clerks
Each fall, we recruit top students from leading law schools throughout the United States as summer clerks for the following year. Second year law students interested in applying for summer clerk positions should check with the Career Services office at their law schools to determine whether or not Hopping Green & Sams will be recruiting on campus. Candidates at law schools where we will not be conducting on-campus interviews should send a letter or email to Mike Petrovich explaining why they are interested in Hopping Green & Sams and attaching a resume, transcript and writing sample. In order to ensure full consideration, these materials must be received by us no later than September 1 of each year, for positions beginning the following year.
Throughout the year, we also recruit students as semester clerks for the fall and spring semesters of law school. Second and third year law students interested in applying for a semester clerk position should send a letter or email to Mike Petrovich explaining why they are interested in Hopping Green & Sams, and attaching a resume, transcript and writing sample.
Support Staff Employment
Hopping Green & Sams values its support staff and recognizes the contribution that these individuals provide in the overall success of our firm. We offer competitive salaries, including a merit-based bonus program. Additionally, we provide an extremely rich benefits package to our support staff, including immediate participation in our 401(k) plan, generous firm contributions to employee retirement accounts, firm paid employee medical coverage, life insurance, paid vacation and holidays, paid parking, long-term disability and long-term care coverage. We also offer optional dental and additional life insurance plans. In addition, HGS offers a paid staff sabbatical program for long-term staff members.
As a recent college graduate, Hopping Green & Sams has provided me with great exposure to the real world functions of business, government and the law. The work environment at HGS is fast-paced and challenging. There is a strong emphasis on teamwork that encourages direct participation and continuous learning. As a paralegal at HGS, I am able to apply my college preparation and paralegal training to contribute to my team of attorneys and clients. Working side by side with seasoned professionals has given me a wealth of knowledge and a chance to showcase my own developing professional skills. My work at HGS is incredibly rewarding and I am learning more about the law every day. - Kate Manning, Paralegal
Equal Opportunity Employer
Hopping Green & Sams does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The firm has an ongoing commitment to the creation of a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. At HGS, we are committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team.
Contact Us
For more information on joining our team at Hopping Green & Sams, or to submit a resume, contact:
Attorney and Summer Associate Candidates:
Mike Petrovich, Chair of the Recruiting Committee
mpetrovich@hgslaw.com
Support Staff Candidates:
Jackie Miullo
jmiullo@hgslaw.com