Intern – Legal / U.S. Intellectual Property, Summer 2026

Continental•Cleveland, OH

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist, founded in 1871. In 2025, the company generated sales of €19.7 billion and currently employs around 78,000 people in 54 countries and markets. The Tires group sector, which generated sales of 13.8 billion euros in fiscal 2025, focuses on making mobility safer, smarter, and more sustainable through its premium portfolio of car, truck, bus, two-wheel, and specialty tires, as well as smart solutions and services for fleets and tire retailers. Continental's tire division employs over 56,000 people worldwide and operates 19 production and 16 development sites. The U.S. IP Group is seeking a Summer Legal Intern for a 10–12‑week internship located in the Cleveland–Akron, Ohio region. This opportunity is ideal for a law student who has completed their first year (1L) and possesses an undergraduate degree in engineering or a scientific discipline. The position offers a hybrid work model with strong remote flexibility. Interns can expect direct exposure to in-house patent practice, mentorship from experienced Continental patent attorneys, engagement with inventors and technical teams working on real-world technologies, and meaningful project work that supports Continental’s global IP strategy.

Requirements

Completion of first year of law school (1L) at an accredited institution by the start of the internship.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or the sciences from an accredited college or university.
Strong research, analytical, and technical writing skills.
Ability to understand and communicate complex technical concepts.
Self‑motivated, detail‑oriented, and able to work independently and collaboratively.
Must be available to work 40 hours per week during normal business hours (Mon-Fri).
Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Comfortable with hybrid work, including remote and on‑site components in the Cleveland–Akron area.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated interest in patent or intellectual property law.
Previous technical, engineering, R&D, or software experience.
Familiarity with patent research tools such as USPTO, EP Register, or WIPO Patentscope.

Responsibilities

Conduct legal research on U.S. and international IP issues.
Summarize case law, statutes, regulations, and administrative decisions.
Analyze engineering and scientific materials.
Conduct prior‑art searches for patentability, validity, and infringement evaluations.
Assist attorneys with preparation and review of patent‑related filings.
Draft claim charts, invention summaries, and evaluations of invention disclosures.
Support attorneys with Office Action response preparation under supervision.
Prepare written memoranda, reports, and research summaries.
Support patent portfolio management, including file reviews and organization of documentation.
Collaborate with engineers, R&D teams, and business personnel to gather technical information.

Benefits

Direct exposure to in‑house patent practice.
Mentorship from experienced Continental patent attorneys.
Engagement with inventors and technical teams working on real‑world technologies.
Meaningful project work that supports Continental’s global IP strategy.
Competitive Intern Pay.
Hands on experience with the team.
Project Experience.
Intern Socials/Mixers.
Mentorship Opportunities.
Networking.
More benefits that come with working for a global industry leader!