2027 1L Summer Associate

AbbVie•North Chicago, IL

About The Position

AbbVie’s 1L Summer Associates are immersed in the company’s in-house legal and compliance teams, handling real-world matters under the supervision of AbbVie attorneys and compliance officers. Each associate works with one legal or compliance department for the duration of the summer internship. Placement options include Patent Legal, Clinical R&D Legal, Corporate Legal, Strategic Transactions, Global Commercial Legal, Operations, Privacy, and Technology, Litigation/Employment/Compliance, and the Office of Ethics and Compliance academies. Work varies by academy. It may include patent prosecution and intellectual property litigation; legal and regulatory matters involving clinical trials; corporate financing, securities, compensation and benefits, and governance; acquisition, collaboration, antitrust, licensing, and venture capital transactions; legal guidance to commercial and regulatory teams; operations, privacy, and legal technology projects; litigation, employment, immigration, and compliance counseling; or policy assessments, training, monitoring, and investigations. All summer associates research and present on a legal or compliance issue related to their work and have opportunities to meet and work with in-house and outside counsel and compliance professionals. Each is paired with a manager and mentor who provide guidance and professional development. By the end of the summer, associates should gain practical experience in an evolving area of law at a global biopharmaceutical company, understand the role of in-house legal and compliance professionals as trusted business advisors, develop leadership and business relationship skills, and strengthen their writing and communication.

Requirements

Complete the first year of law school at an ABA-accredited law school during the 2026–2027 academic year.
Remain enrolled in law school during the semester following the internship.
Have a strong undergraduate academic background, including in relevant disciplines.
Demonstrate the ability to perform complex legal research and analysis.
Have excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills.
For the Patent Legal Academy, have a bachelor’s or graduate degree in a scientific or engineering discipline.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s or graduate degree in a scientific or engineering discipline is recommended for the Clinical R&D Legal Academy.

Responsibilities

Handle real-world legal or compliance matters under the supervision of AbbVie attorneys and compliance officers.
Work with one of AbbVie’s legal or compliance departments for the duration of the summer internship.
Research and present on a legal or compliance issue related to the assigned work.
Depending on the academy, support work involving patent prosecution and intellectual property litigation; clinical trial legal and regulatory matters; corporate legal matters; strategic transactions; commercial legal guidance; operations, privacy, and legal technology; litigation, employment, immigration, and compliance; or ethics and compliance activities.
Collaborate with in-house and outside counsel, compliance professionals, and cross-functional teams.
Develop business relationships and legal writing, communication, and leadership skills.