US program

US Summer Associate Program

Our nine-week Summer Associate Program is designed for law students who are interested in gaining valuable real-life legal experience.

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.

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.

Written Application

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)

On-campus Interview

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.

Callback interview

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.

Datesand deadlines

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.

Testimonial Quote

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.

Andrew King | Partner | Columbus

Testimonial Quote

My summer at the firm was nothing short of transformative. In addition to sharpening my legal skills generally, the Summer Associate Program allowed me to find my passion within the law. Once I found that, the firm was more than happy to provide me with all the resources necessary to further grow and develop those interests. Ultimately, the experience prepared me to hit the ground running when I rejoined the firm a year later as a full-time associate.

Ezzat Nsouli | Corporate | New York

Testimonial Quote

I’ve had the opportunity to work with a variety of practice groups across the many offices that the firm has. It has been great to see the firm’s local connections and global influence at work.

Lauryn Durham | Government Investigations & White Collar | Cleveland