US Summer Associate Program
We place a strong emphasis on supporting our early career professionals into their life-long careers. Our student and graduate population is valued and developed throughout their career journey and provided with extensive opportunities and training to support their professional development.
Here you will find further information about our summer associate opportunities, including insights into the programs available and the application process to join us.
Law school teaches theory and analytical thinking; it does not provide substantive instruction on the actual practice of law or the day-to-day tasks of working at a large law firm. Mentorship and education are, therefore, crucial to developing and helping new attorneys as they begin their legal careers. When I was a summer associate at Squire Patton Boggs, the firm provided a network of resources and mentorship that spoke to the firm’s collaborative culture. When I was asked to run the summer program in the Columbus office nine years later, I jumped at the opportunity to give back, provide mentorship to the new class of young attorneys, and hopefully show that the firm is a place that offers not just complex and challenging legal work, but also the resources to succeed in every step along the way.
Our Opportunities
We are looking for people who mirror our values, with the curiosity, agility and teamwork needed to thrive in a rapidly changing business landscape. If you are interested in first-rate client work in an inclusive environment and a strong emphasis on your wellbeing, we could be the firm for you.
Summer Associate Program
Our nine-week Summer Associate Program is designed for law students who are interested in gaining valuable real-life legal experience.
As a summer associate, you can expect to receive a variety of client assignments, as well as the training and mentoring you need to advance your career. Spending your summer at our firm will give you a great chance to build your own networks and experience a realistic look at life as an associate. If you have language skills or if the timing is right on a client matter, there may be an opportunity for you to experience the practice of law at a site outside the US.
Many of our summer associates have joined the firm after graduating from law school and, in many cases, have become leaders at our firm.
Application Process
We visit several law schools for on-campus interviews. If we participate in OCI or resume collection at your law school, you can apply through your career services office. We also list our summer associate opportunities on our website and you can directly apply online, starting in June.
You will need to submit the following documents:
- Cover letter explaining your interest to practice law at our firm and your preferred office
- Resume
- Law school transcript
- Writing sample (preferably no more than 10 to 12 pages)
The on-campus interview is typically a short meeting with one or two attorneys from the firm, lasting 20 to 30 minutes. Depending on the preferences of the law school and local office, these meetings can be either virtual or in person.
We normally extend invitations to a select few candidates for callback interviews at our office. During the callback interview, you will have the opportunity to meet with additional attorneys from the firm, and this session may last approximately half a day. It is an excellent opportunity to experience the culture of our offices firsthand.
1L applications – Our 1L positions are posted in November and we typically start conducting interviews for these opportunities on a rolling basis, starting in December. The application deadline is February 1.
2L applications – Our 2L positions open in June and we conduct interviews on a rolling basis, starting in June. We also visit several law schools for OCI.