2028 2L Summer Associate: Washington, DC
About The Position
Baker McKenzie’s US Emerging Lawyers Academy is an immersive 10-week summer program for the next generation of global lawyers. Summer Associates gain experience through meaningful client work, cross-practice exposure, experiential learning, AI fluency training, tailored coaching and mentoring, and opportunities to build relationships across offices, practices and borders. Summer Associates explore assignments across five North American practice groups: Commercial, Employment & Compensation, Disputes, Tax and Transactional. They contribute to client matters, collaborative projects and pro bono initiatives, and participate in foundational training that develops practical legal skills, client-service excellence, professional judgment and AI fluency. Partner and Associate mentors provide introductions, support work allocation and feedback, and help Summer Associates build confidence. The program's targeted class size is intended to provide individualized support, access to partners and associates, and opportunities to build professional relationships. Summer Associates may connect with lawyers, clients and colleagues across offices through programs such as the Client Summer Scholars Program, Visiting Office Experiences, and in-person Emerging Lawyers Academy training. Summer Associates receive weekly compensation equivalent to the first-year associate market rate, plus a $10,000 Academy stipend upon arrival. Those who receive and accept an offer to return as first-year associates receive an additional $10,000 upon their associate start date. Applicants to the 2028 2L Summer Associate Program must submit a resume, cover letter and unofficial undergraduate transcript. Selected 1L candidates are invited to interview on a rolling basis from November 2026 through March 2027.
Requirements
- Demonstrated academic achievement, sound judgment and discipline.
- Intellectual curiosity and a genuine interest in learning.
- Openness to trying work across different practices, receiving feedback and exploring where their interests and strengths align.
- Strong analytical ability and practical problem-solving skills.
- Interest in developing AI fluency and innovation-minded client service.
- Curiosity about cross-border work and comfort building relationships across offices and diverse cultures.
- Interest in long-term development at Baker McKenzie.
- Submit a resume, cover letter and unofficial undergraduate transcript with the application.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to real client matters, collaborative projects and pro bono initiatives.
- Explore assignments across the Commercial, Employment & Compensation, Disputes, Tax and Transactional practice groups.
- Participate in workshops, simulations and other training to develop practical legal skills, client-service excellence, professional judgment and AI fluency.
- Build professional relationships across offices, practices and borders.
Benefits
- Weekly compensation equivalent to the first-year associate market rate.
- $10,000 Academy stipend upon arrival.
- An additional $10,000 upon the associate start date for Summer Associates who receive and accept an offer to return as first-year associates.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
