United States Summer Associate Program

Assignments

Baker McKenzie offers a realistic professional experience by providing summer associates with client work of the same caliber as performed by the Firm’s lawyers. Summer associates work directly with attorneys and receive hands-on experience throughout the program. Formal reviews are held at the mid-point and end of the program to provide an evaluation of overall performance.

Mentors & Networking

Summer associates are paired with partner and associate mentors who facilitate introductions and ensure summer associates receive the proper amount and variety of work. There are ample opportunities for networking with attorneys, clients, and other summer associates over the course of the program through our planned social activities and local or regional Firm events.

Training

Summer associates are provided with opportunities for professional development through comprehensive training sessions. Trainings include practice group introductions, writing workshops, time entry best practices, simulated client meetings, and more. We are committed to robust training within the summer program and offer our summer associates the opportunity to travel to a designated US office to participate in a North America Summer Associate Meeting designed to offer skills-based training, practice-based training and networking.

Employment & Compensation

Our team of Employment & Compensation lawyers work with domestic and multinational businesses to navigate all of their employment needs, from day-to-day human resources requirements to sensitive employment litigation to critical global business change projects. As strategic business partners, we help clients manage their primary asset – their people.

International Commercial

We have the global reach and deep industry expertise to help navigate complex legal problems and situations associated with taking products, services, business models, IP and contracts international.

IP Technology

Our IP Tech lawyers advise industry leading clients on the latest technological and market developments while also providing unique insights on protecting and preserving the value of IP rights in M&A transactions.

Litigation & Government Enforcement

Our team of more than 150 litigators has tried cases in virtually every jurisdiction in North America, and we leverage our familiarity with the judges and opposing counsel to effectively and efficiently resolve disputes.

Tax

Our global team of experienced lawyers, economists, and tax advisors combines deep industry knowledge and technical skill to deliver integrated advice that seamlessly aligns to our clients' businesses. We look at tax from every direction and provide full-scale solutions — from policy to planning, from transactions to dispute resolution.

Transactional

Our Transactional practice group advises clients on everything from mergers and acquisitions to IPOs and reorganizations of group structures, and from private equity investments and public company takeovers to insider dealing.

Summer associates can participate in unique experiences aimed to develop their skills-based and practice-based training, both inside and outside the Firm. We offer opportunities to be considered for Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, secondment opportunities with our clients, traveling and working abroad, supporting our world-class pro-bono efforts and applying for our Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Legal Fellowship Program.

Client Summer Scholars Program The Baker McKenzie Client Summer Scholars Program is a unique experience for our summer associates. Client summer scholars spend two to four weeks after the Baker McKenzie Summer Program working onsite with a client and gaining valuable in-house legal experience. Client summer scholars are paid the Baker McKenzie summer associate salary for the duration of the experience and come away with expanded networks and unique insight into the in-house career path. Past client summer scholars have worked in Memphis, Cupertino, Naperville, Mountain View and many other cities across the country. We encourage all summer associates to apply to these opportunities. There are a limited number of spots available each year and we encourage all summer associates to apply. Read testimonials from past client summer scholars International Clerkship Each year Baker McKenzie awards international clerkships to law students interested in exploring a global legal career with the Firm. Summer associates in our North America offices have the opportunity to apply for these clerkships at the start of the Summer Program. Selected clerks spend up to four weeks working in one of the Firm's global offices. Clerkships have been held in Amsterdam, Zurich, Hong Kong, Sydney and many of our other global offices. There are a limited number of spots available each year and we encourage all summer associates to apply. Baker McKenzie Legal Fellowship The Baker McKenzie Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Legal Fellowship Program furthers our commitment to recruit and develop talented lawyers who seek to contribute to Baker McKenzie's mission of inclusion and diversity as well as the creation of a more inclusive legal profession. Fellowships are awarded to second year law students in the United States who have received an offer of employment to join Baker McKenzie's Summer Program and who are committed to inclusion, diversity and equity within the legal community. Each recipient receives USD 50,000. Learn more about our ID&E commitment Pro Bono Every year our summer associates collaborate on a signature pro bono project. Our pro bono practice focuses efforts in areas of strategic focus, our IMPACT areas. These include Children's Rights, Gender Justice, Justice Crossing Borders, LGBTQ Advocacy, and Rule of Law. Learn more about our Pro Bono practice Associate Training Program The Associate Training Program (ATP) is our flagship mobility program, having been established over 30 years ago. Hundreds of associates have participated in this program to date. The ATP provides our associates with an excellent opportunity for development through active participation in the daily working life of the host office and being exposed to a wide range of clients and matters to enhance their on-the-job learning. We actively encourage ATPs, wherever possible, to take LLM courses, external executive education programs or similar programs available in the host jurisdiction. This program is open to associates who have been with us for at least two years and choice of location may be influenced by, but will not be dependent upon, an associate's interest in a country, ability to speak another language, the business need of one of our clients or the need of one of our practice groups.

We want individuals who can combine an impressive academic track record with excellent technical skills. Personal qualities matter — we look for engaged global citizens, critical thinkers and problem solvers. These qualities mean candidates can make connections across traditional practice, sector and market lines, and can process information, finding connections in complex situations to offer real insight and foresight to clients. Importantly, we want people who thrive in diverse teams where friendship is valued.

We actively recruit second year law students at various law schools and job fairs each summer. View our list of anticipated rising 2L on-campus interviews below.

We recruit first year law students on an as-needed basis through direct application in winter when applicable.