Summer Associates
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP is renowned for its commitment to excellence, multidisciplinary approach, deep industry knowledge, diverse and inclusive culture, and a dedication to pro bono and public service. Our summer program immerses summer associates in the values that shape our Firm and drive the highest level of legal excellence in service to our clients and commitment to social justice. The summer program is designed to provide summer associates with exposure to the substantive skills they will use in practice, the Firm's core values, and the meaningful work that we do for our commercial and pro bono clients. We also strive to provide summer associates ample opportunities to get to know the Firm's attorneys, practices, clients, and culture, through work assignments, our mentor program, interactive training programs and practice group presentations, and social events.
Firmwide Orientation
The summer program beings with a firmwide in-person orientation program in the Washington, D.C. office. “Launch Your Success” sets the stage for a successful summer program by providing summer associates with the information, skills, and connections they need to make the most of their experience at the firm. Programming includes a comprehensive overview of the summer program, an introduction to the firm’s core values and culture, professional development and well-being programming, a practice group service activity, networking opportunities, and social events.
Work Assignments
Summer associates work with our attorneys on actual cases, for both commercial and pro bono clients, and the contributions of our summer associates are valued and respected. Summer associates have the opportunity to showcase their legal research and writing skills and shadow attorneys by attending client meetings or hearings. There is no formal rotation system, however, we encourage summer associates to work on assignments across many different practice groups.
Arnold & Porter has afforded me a plethora of meaningful opportunities to grow personally and professionally. The firm invests in the professional development and growth of junior associates by enabling them to take charge of substantive work. I learned some of the best practices of lawyering through my own assignments and under the mentorship of senior attorneys who deeply cared about my growth to provide thoughtful feedback and guidance. In this encouraging setting, I was able to take ownership of my work. — 2023 Summer Associate
Mentor Program
Summer associates are matched with attorney mentors at varying levels of seniority. Mentors serve as a resource for questions about the Firm, practices, office, and culture, and provide guidance to summer associates navigating the Firm, work assignments, and the summer program. Our mentor program is a valuable aspect of the summer program and our attorneys take the role of mentor very seriously.
"I was able to build important relationships with many attorneys at the firm, even across practice groups. The people at Arnold & Porter have truly been the centerpiece of my summer experience, and I found mentors, role models, and friends in this network of people. From my summer at the firm, I developed relationships that I hope to take with me for the rest of my legal career." — 2023 Summer Associate
Training Programs
In addition to pro bono and client spotlights, our summer program offers interactive training programs that are not only educational but also fun. These programs are designed to provide summer associates with valuable skills and opportunities for them to connect with each other. These programs include a networking program and tips for a successful summer, led by the firm’s National Hiring Committee Co-Chairs and associates from various practice groups. Summer associates also have the exciting opportunity to attend an in-person Summer Associate Training Forum, a multi-day event held in our New York office. The forum features interactive programming, including an introduction to negotiation skills and an oral presentation workshop. It's a chance for summer associates to engage in hands-on training while building relationships with attorneys and their peers.
Social Events
Social events are an important aspect of the summer program and provide summer associates with an opportunity to get to know our attorneys and each other in a more informal setting. Our in-person summer programs have featured Broadway shows, concerts, cooking classes, and museum tours.
"I am truly having an incredible time in the summer program. I especially appreciate the balance between internal firm-focused sessions (spotlighting specific practice groups, clients, and people) and social events that allow us to bond with fellow summer associates." — 2023 Summer Associate
The summer associate program at Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP is our single most important source of associate hiring. We hire summer associates with the expectation that they will be invited to join us as associates after law school. Our attorneys and professional staff are committed to planning and implementing a summer program that summer associates find meaningful, rewarding, informative, and fun.
"I am confident that I made the right decision in choosing Arnold & Porter as the firm to spend my 2L summer. The work was complex, challenging, and rewarding. Equally as important, the connections I made with my fellow summers and attorneys at the firm were fulfilling and meaningful. Students who are interested in working in Big Law should strongly consider Arnold & Porter both for its expertise as well as its professional and friendly work culture." — 2023 Summer Associate
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Arnold & Porter is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy and childbirth (including breastfeeding and related medical conditions), age, marital or partnership status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family leave status, citizenship status, immigration status, ancestry, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations. Our Firm's equal opportunity policy applies to all employment practices and terms and conditions, including, without limitation, recruitment, employment, assignment, training, compensation, benefits, promotions, disciplinary action and terminations. For purposes of the firm's Anti-discrimination and Anti-harassment Policies, the term "race" includes, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks, and twists.
For our EEO Policy Statement, please click here. If you would like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please click Know Your Rights.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.