Applications for 2026 1L and 2027 2L opportunities are open as of November 1, 2025. Click here to apply.
Akin is defined by the caliber of our work, exceptional client service and a culture that is rooted in collaboration and caring. We are looking for summer associates who will further the firm’s five core values: future focused, dedicated to excellence, collaborative, diversity-minded, and service-oriented.
Our summer associates work on real matters for real clients. With training, mentorship, teamwork and networking activities, you will receive a realistic and meaningful picture of firm life. You will gain in-depth exposure to the firm’s practice and hands-on experience with clients and work that interests you. We also offer special opportunities to shadow depositions, hearings, witness interviews and client meetings. Summer associates also participate in pro bono projects through organizations with which Akin has a pro bono partnership. These projects are geared to our summer associates’ interests and maximize front-line responsibility while ensuring appropriate supervision from experienced attorneys.
Selection Criteria
Akin seeks motivated candidates with outstanding academic performance who demonstrate the firm’s core skills from the Akin Client Excellence (ACE) Framework, including Delivering Excellence, Prioritizing Relationships, and Taking Ownership. Learn more about our skills framework for associates.
Candidates are also evaluated on their practice group interest and desire to practice at a global law firm.
Application Requirements
Our application process is open to applicants who are enrolled and in good standing at an ABA-accredited law school with an anticipated graduation date of 2028 at the time of application.
Candidates may apply to, and be considered by, only one Akin office.
Applications must include:
- Resume
- Transcript (uncertified is acceptable)
- Personal statement (for select 1L opportunities).
The firm recognizes that first semester grades at some law schools are not released until February; accordingly, we will accept applications with the transcript to be sent once it is released. We will review all applications to this position in accordance with the recruitment policies of the candidate's law school.
2L Summer Associate Opportunities (US Offices)
2L applications for the 2027 summer program are now open. Click here to apply.
2L students may join our 2027 summer associate program in our Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York or Washington, D.C. offices.
1L Summer Associate Opportunities
1L applications for the 2026 summer program are now open. Click here to apply.
Learn more about our opportunities below. 1L summer associates make a commitment to return as 2L summer associates.
- 1L Summer Associate (U.S. offices): 1L students may join our 2026 summer associate program in our Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York or Washington, D.C. offices.
- 1L Corporate Summer Associate (New York)
- 1L students with a dedicated focus on corporate work. Students will have the opportunity to work directly with our corporate team to get experience with the most complex transactions in the market across a variety of industries.
- Applications will be accepted only in our New York office.
- To be considered for the 1L corporate summer associate position, describe why you want to be a corporate lawyer in 250 words or less. Please provide examples of your relevant corporate experience (private equity, M&A, capital solutions, capital markets, projects and energy transition, securitization, finance, etc.) and specific interest in a transactional practice.
- 1L Intellectual Property Summer Associate (New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.)
- 1L students with a dedicated focus on IP law. Students will have the opportunity to work directly with our IP team to get early experience with engineers and scientists and top-ranked patent litigators and trial lawyers to protect industry-leading innovations.
- Applications will be accepted only in our New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. offices. Candidates applying to New York and Washington, D.C. should have technical degrees (e.g., Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, etc.). Candidates applying to Philadelphia should have degrees (preferably advanced degrees) in life sciences (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Immunology, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, etc.).
- To be considered for the 1L IP summer associate position, please describe in 250 words or less why you want to be an IP lawyer. Provide examples of your relevant experience in the IP field and specific interest in this area of law.
- 1L Financial Restructuring (Bankruptcy) Summer Associate (Dallas, New York, Washington, D.C.)
- 1L students with a dedicated focus on financial restructuring/bankruptcy work. Students will have the opportunity to work directly with our financial restructuring team to get early experience in some of the most groundbreaking restructurings.
- Applications will be accepted only in our Dallas, New York and Washington, D.C. offices.
- To be considered for the 1L financial restructuring (FR) summer associate position, please describe in 250 words or less why you want to be a FR lawyer. Provide examples of your relevant experience in the FR field and specific interest in this area of law.
- 1L International Trade Summer Associate (Washington, D.C.)
- 1L students with a dedicated focus on international trade work. Students will have the opportunity to join our top-ranked and global international trade practice to gain experience navigating strategic decisions and regulatory frameworks that shape how goods and services move around the world.
- Applications will be accepted only in our Washington, D.C., office.
- To be considered for the 1L international trade summer associate position, please describe in 250 words or less why you want to be an international trade lawyer. Provide examples of your relevant experience in the international trade field and specific interest in this area of law.
- 1L Pro Bono Scholar (U.S. offices)
- 1L students with a combined passion for public interest and private practice. Students will have an opportunity during their 1L summer to spend several weeks at a public interest organization in addition to focusing on pro bono work at the firm. Students return for their 2L summer and work on sophisticated commercial and pro bono assignments in addition to participating in dedicated pro bono trainings.
- For more information, visit our 1L Pro Bono Scholar Program page.