The Summer Program Experience at Akin was originally published on Firsthand.
This summer, immerse yourself in the real world of practicing law.
It’s time to take what you’ve learned in law school and give it context through real-world experience. Learn how to put together a brief or contract and collaborate with teams of lawyers and professionals to create innovative solutions, all while learning about the firm’s practice areas. In our summer program, you’ll form new relationships, expand your network, and find out what it’s like to be an Akin lawyer.
Exciting Locations
We offer 2Ls the opportunity to join our Summer Associate Program in one of the firm’s state-of-the-art offices in major legal markets—Dallas; Houston; Los Angeles; Philadelphia; New York; or Washington, D.C.
The Work You Want, Right from the Start
You choose to work on the assignments that excite you. We don’t put you through a formal practice group rotation. Instead, our assigning partners and work coordinators will guide you as you discover practice areas that spark your curiosity and speak to your interests in the law. Summer associates can work on matters ranging from billion-dollar contracts to briefs involving discrimination claims to IP work and more.
Former Akin summer associates have:
- Drafted a memo on the scope of liability for makers of a widely used carcinogenic chemical compound.
- Reviewed complex contracts for a $1.7 billion credit facility.
- Prepared a client for an SEC interview.
- Drafted a memo for a summary judgment brief involving racial discrimination.
- Prepared license agreements arising out of sublease arrangements for a hedge fund.
Grow Your Skills
Our training programs for summer associates expose you to new ideas and innovative ways of solving even the most complex legal and business issues. We’ll give you the tools and training you need to excel. At Akin, we focus on professional development and skill building starting on day one. In addition to working on matters, you’ll attend legal writing workshops, pro bono training, panel discussions, and meet-the-practice presentations.
Valuable Mentoring
During the summer, you’ll tackle challenging matters for sophisticated clients. We don’t throw you into the program or your projects without support. You’ll be paired with several lawyer mentors who’ll show you the ropes and make sure you’re maximizing every opportunity. Your mentors will make introductions across the firm, spend time one on one to answer questions, and join you for networking events. Mentors will help you secure assignments in your areas of interest and navigate the program. They can also be a sounding board as you explore your career goals.
Events That Matter
Sometimes, the best way to get to know our lawyers is to get out of the office and connect with them by participating in weekly events, playing on our sports teams, or taking part in impromptu gatherings. Come to departmental breakfasts and lunches to meet more lawyers and learn about their experiences. The firm also hosts a Wellness Week over the summer and sponsors activities in each office. Our program includes plenty of opportunities to bond with your fellow summers and our lawyers while enjoying experiences such as:
- Sporting events
- Sip and paint events
- Bowling
- Escape rooms
- Competitive cooking classes
- Spin classes
- Concerts
- Broadway shows
- Summer associate-only events
- Community service projects
- Dinners at lawyers’ homes
- Diversity and inclusion events.
In short, a summer at Akin will ground you in the real-world workings of a top law firm, giving you the freedom and support to explore which areas of the law could be the ones in which you’ll build your career.
