Landing a Bates White Internship: A Comprehensive Guide

Bates White is a well-regarded economic consulting firm, and securing an internship there can be a valuable stepping stone for aspiring economists and consultants. This article will provide a detailed overview of the Bates White internship experience, drawing on insights from a former Summer Consultant Program participant, Kate Dressel, and general knowledge about the firm. We will explore the program's structure, the types of projects interns work on, the skills needed to succeed, and how to navigate the recruitment process.

What is Bates White?

Bates White, LLC is an economic consulting firm that specializes in providing expert economic analysis and testimony for complex legal and regulatory matters. Their work spans a variety of industries and practice areas, including antitrust, healthcare, energy, and finance.

The Summer Consultant Program: An Overview

The Summer Consultant Program at Bates White is a 10-week opportunity for undergraduate students who have just completed their junior year. It offers a glimpse into the world of economic consulting at their Washington, D.C. office. The program is designed to provide hands-on experience, exposure to different practice areas, and the chance to develop valuable skills.

The program is structured around three key components:

Case Assignment: Interns are staffed to a real case within a specific practice area, allowing them to contribute to ongoing litigation or consulting projects.
Summer Consultant Program Case Study: Interns participate in a simulated case study, working in teams to experience the entire life cycle of a case, from initial complaint to trial.
Balloon Wars: A fundraising competition where interns select a non-profit organization to support and engage in friendly rivalry by "ballooning" colleagues (donating money to charity in exchange for delivering balloons to their office).

A Day in the Life of a Bates White Intern

While there's no such thing as a "typical" day, interns can expect a mix of activities, including:

Breakfast at the office: Starting the day with a provided breakfast fosters a sense of community and provides an opportunity to connect with colleagues.
Leadership Q&A sessions: These sessions offer insights into the firm's leadership and strategic direction.
Case assignment work: Interns contribute to their assigned case, working on tasks such as data analysis, research, and report writing.
Lunch events: These events often include fun activities like trivia to raise money for charity.
Case study team meetings: Interns collaborate with their case study teams to strategize and prepare for the mock trial.
Technical training: Bates White provides training in essential software and tools like R, Stata, and Excel to help interns develop their technical skills.

Diving into Project Work: A Real-World Experience

Interns at Bates White are given the opportunity to contribute to real cases, often during the discovery phase. This involves working with legal documents, analyzing data, and conducting industry research.

One intern's experience involved being staffed to a case where Bates White was retained by a law firm representing a client. The team's task was to analyze the effects of alleged misconduct in the antitrust sphere. The team typically included an expert providing testimony, PhD economists, a case manager (often a managing consultant), and entry-level consultants, including the summer intern. The intern's role involved initial data processing and industry background research, gaining a deep understanding of the specific field and its attributes.

Presentations and Client Interaction

While the extent of client interaction may vary depending on the case and the intern's role, interns may have the opportunity to participate in presentations or meetings. In the case described, the intern was involved in the initial data processing and cleaning, which contributed to the overall analysis presented to the client (the law firm).

Making an Impact: Contributing to the Bigger Picture

The most impactful part of the internship experience often lies in understanding how individual contributions fit into the larger goals of the engagement with the client. One intern found it particularly insightful to see the behind-the-scenes interactions between law firms and economic consulting firms, and how different work streams can be synergized.

Overcoming Misconceptions: Who Thrives at Bates White?

One common misconception is that all economic consultants are econ majors. However, Bates White values a diverse range of skills and backgrounds. While technical skills are important, strategic thinking, communication, and attention to detail are equally crucial. There is no single profile of a successful economic consultant.

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Another misconception is that economic consulting work is limited to specific areas like antitrust litigation. In reality, Bates White's work spans a wide range of industries and practice areas, offering opportunities to work on diverse and challenging projects.

Why Choose Bates White? The Culture and the Community

Bates White fosters a supportive, encouraging, and fun environment. The firm is structured with intentionality, from the catered breakfasts to the community-building activities like Balloon Wars. The high return rate of interns speaks volumes about the positive experience and the strong sense of community within the firm.

What Makes a Good Fit for Economic Consulting?

While an economics background can be helpful, it's not a prerequisite. A good fit for economic consulting typically includes:

Curiosity: A genuine interest in the world, public policy, and the legal environment.
Technical aptitude: A willingness to develop technical skills in data analysis and modeling.
Teamwork: The ability to collaborate effectively with others, even under pressure.
Attention to detail: A commitment to accuracy and thoroughness in all aspects of the work.
Analytical skills: The ability to think critically, solve problems, and draw sound conclusions from data.

Indicators that economic consulting might not be the best fit include:

A dislike of teamwork: Economic consulting is a highly collaborative field.
A tendency to jump to conclusions: Careful analysis and attention to detail are essential.
A lack of patience: Economic consulting often involves complex projects with long timelines.

Navigating the Recruitment Process: Tips for Aspiring Consultants

The recruitment process for consulting internships typically aligns with the timeline for full-time opportunities. To increase your chances of success:

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Start early: Begin exploring your options and networking with professionals in the field as early as your freshman year.
Attend info sessions: Take advantage of opportunities to learn about different consulting firms and their cultures.
Network: Reach out to consultants for coffee chats to learn about their experiences and gain insights into the industry.
Explore different fields: Consider internships in various fields to gain a broader understanding of your interests and skills.
Focus on culture fit: When evaluating firms, consider the culture and values to find a place where you will thrive.

The Importance of a Framework

While frameworks can be helpful, much of the process is trial and error. Exploring internships in completely different fields can help you discover what you truly enjoy.

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