2027 1L Summer Associate

McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff • Chicago, IL

21h

About The Position

McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP (MBHB) is accepting applications from Class of 2029 JD candidates for its 2027 Summer Associate Program, a 10-week program that provides hands-on exposure to legal practice. Summer associates participate in client work under the guidance of partner-mentors. Potential assignments include working on a patent application, assisting with a freedom-to-operate opinion, attending a client presentation, conducting legal research for a pleading, and writing a blog post or Snippets article. The program also includes professional development workshops tailored to intellectual property law and weekly social events in Chicago.

The role is also available through MBHB’s Diversity & Inclusion Fellowship for 1L students at ABA-accredited law schools. The fellowship includes a place in the 2027 Summer Associate Program and a $10,000 stipend for law school tuition or other school-related expenses. After law school, fellows who accept full-time associate positions with MBHB and pass the Illinois Bar Exam may receive an additional $10,000 award. MBHB also reimburses up to $1,000 in pre-approved travel, meal, and/or registration expenses related to activities promoting or educating fellows about diversity and inclusion topics in IP law. Fellowship applicants must submit a 500-word personal statement explaining their interest in pursuing a career as an intellectual property attorney and how they intend to contribute meaningfully to diversity and inclusion in the field.

Requirements

• Be a Class of 2029 JD candidate.
• Have an engineering or scientific background, such as computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, quantum physics, or a similar field.
• Be eligible to take the patent bar.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Have innovative thinking and creative problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

• For life sciences candidates, an advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) or industry experience.
• For high-tech or engineering candidates, experience in AI or machine learning.

Responsibilities

• Participate in client work under the guidance of partner-mentors.
• Work on assignments such as patent applications, freedom-to-operate opinions, client presentations, legal research for pleadings, and blog posts or Snippets articles.
• Participate in professional development workshops focused on intellectual property law.

Benefits

• $10,000 stipend for law school tuition or other school-related expenses for Diversity & Inclusion Fellows.
• Potential additional $10,000 award for fellows who accept a full-time associate position with MBHB after law school and pass the Illinois Bar Exam.
• Reimbursement of up to $1,000 for pre-approved travel, meal, and/or registration expenses associated with activities related to promoting or educating fellows about diversity and inclusion topics in IP law.
• Professional development workshops tailored to intellectual property law.
• Weekly social events.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed