2028 2L Summer Associate: Chicago

Baker McKenzie • Chicago, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Baker McKenzie’s 2028 2L Summer Associate Program is a 10-week immersive summer program through the US Emerging Lawyers Academy. It combines meaningful client work, cross-practice exposure, experiential learning, AI fluency training, tailored coaching and mentoring, and relationship-building across offices, practices and borders. Summer Associates explore assignments across the Commercial, Employment & Compensation, Disputes, Tax and Transactional practice groups, contributing to client matters, collaborative projects and pro bono initiatives. The program also offers foundational training in practical legal skills, client service, professional judgment and AI fluency through workshops and simulations. Partner and Associate mentors provide introductions, support work allocation and feedback, and help participants build confidence. The targeted class size is intended to enable individualized support and meaningful access to partners and associates. Participants may also connect with lawyers, clients and colleagues across offices through programs including 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 will receive an additional $10,000 upon their associate start date. The position is based onsite in Chicago, Illinois.

Requirements

• Be a student applying for the 2028 2L Summer Associate Program.
• Demonstrate academic achievement, sound judgment, discipline and a genuine interest in learning.
• Show openness to exploring different practices, receiving feedback and using the summer experience to identify areas of interest.
• Have strong analytical ability and practical problem-solving skills, and an interest in developing AI fluency and innovation-minded client service.
• Be curious about cross-border work, comfortable building relationships across offices and diverse cultures, and interested in serving clients in a global firm environment.
• Show interest in long-term development at Baker McKenzie and in growing into a future associate and global lawyer.
• 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 training, workshops and simulations to develop practical legal skills, client-service excellence, professional judgment and AI fluency.
• Work with Partner and Associate mentors, receive feedback and take part in supported work allocation.
• Build relationships with lawyers, clients and colleagues across offices, practices and borders.

Benefits

• Weekly compensation equivalent to the first-year associate market rate.
• $10,000 Academy stipend upon arrival.
• Additional $10,000 upon the associate start date for Summer Associates who receive and accept an offer to return as first-year associates.
• Mentoring, coaching, tailored feedback and professional development through the Emerging Lawyers Academy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed