Summer Program

2027 Summer Program Update:

Thank you for your interest in ArentFox Schiff!

We are now accepting applications from second-year law students for our 2027 Summer Associate Program! Please see below for the practice groups and office locations for which we are recruiting. We will accept one application per candidate, so please apply to the practice group you are most interested in. 

Complex Litigation: Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, DC

Corporate & Securities: All offices (Boston, Chicago, or New York preferred)

International Trade: Washington, DC

IP Litigation: San Francisco

Real Estate: Washington, DC

Summer at ArentFox Schiff is a time for you to get to know us and for us to get to know you! Summer associates quickly discover why our program is unique. You will leave the program with a solid understanding of the opportunities available to you after law school and a great sense of the people you’ll be working with. Our culture, team approach, professional training, and social opportunities are why ArentFox Schiff stands apart.

My summer experience at ArentFox Schiff exceeded my expectations. The program provided meaningful work opportunities, high-quality training, and numerous chances to connect with attorneys across the firm. I felt welcomed, supported, and included throughout the summer.

 

If I were to describe my experience in a few words, I would say it was fast-paced, educational, and people-focused. I gained valuable legal and professional skills while building relationships with incredible colleagues, making the summer both rewarding and memorable.

– 2026 Summer Associate

The Work

ArentFox Schiff summer associates learn first-hand what life is like as an associate at the firm. You will do real work for real clients, and your experience closely resembles the workload of a junior associate. The work is important, responsibilities are clear, and the expectations are realistic. Most importantly, you will work directly with partners and other associates throughout the firm – just like our associates.

Variety of Assignments

Our summer associates are integrated into a specific practice group, where they gain hands-on experience through a variety of assignments tailored to that practice area. Working closely with attorneys across offices and seniority levels, summer associates develop practical skills, meaningful relationships, and a strong foundation in their area of interest.

On the Job Training

In addition to receiving meaningful work assignments, you will have a number of training opportunities.

Summer Colloquium

A two-day retreat where summer associates from all offices come together to participate in trainings, oral communications and writing workshops, and social events. Location varies by year.

Take-Alongs

We encourage lawyers to involve summer associates in “live” learning opportunities, including negotiations, depositions, hearings, or closings.

Professional Development

Learning never stops when you’re an attorney. Rather, to have a successful legal career, you must develop a broad range of skills. At every level here, lawyers are offered opportunities for training, mentoring, evaluation, and advancement. We provide supportive resources such as core skills and practice-based skill guidelines for associates to use as road maps in driving their careers. Our in-house legal writing coach works one-on-one with summer associates to provide personalized coaching and constructive feedback, helping them strengthen the writing and analytical skills essential to successful legal practice. Our curriculum supports mastery of these skills, which reflect the firm’s expectations and strategic business goals.

Summer Events

ArentFox Schiff takes advantage of having its offices in world-class cities to provide memorable social programs for summer associates. Events typically include concerts, cooking classes, courthouse visits, sporting events, sailing trips, theater, and wine tastings.

FAQs

Where is the ArentFox Schiff Summer Program located?

• ArentFox Schiff’s Summer Associate Program is offered across several of our major offices, with participating locations varying by practice group and recruiting needs each year.

What types of assignments do summer associates receive?

• Summer associates help with ongoing client matters. This often includes conducting legal research, drafting memoranda and emails, and attending client conferences. Summer associates receive assignments from a designated assignment monitor.

How does the evaluation process work?

• Feedback is a central component of our Summer Associate Program. Supervising attorneys review each assignment, and summer associates are encouraged to seek ongoing feedback from their advisors and other attorneys across the firm. Summer associates also have access to our in-house writing coach for individualized feedback and guidance on legal writing. At the midpoint and conclusion of the program, Practice Group Leaders conduct formal performance reviews based on assignment evaluations and input from assigning attorneys.

How long is the summer program?

• The summer program lasts for 10 weeks. It begins in late May and ends in late July.

Is there a mentor program for summer associates?

• Yes. We assign each summer associate a personal team of dedicated attorneys and professionals for guidance and support. Each summer associate is paired with an associate advisor to help them get to know the firm. Advisors introduce summer associates to colleagues, help them navigate the summer experience, and serve as important resources throughout the program. Summer associates also have access to our in-house legal writing coach, who provides individualized feedback and guidance to help strengthen their legal writing and analytical skills.

Are summer associates able to work on pro bono matters?

• Yes, summer associates have the opportunity and are encouraged to work on pro bono cases.

What happens when summer associates return to the firm as first-year associates?

• When summer associates return to the firm as first-year associates, they are encouraged to re-engage with the attorneys and matters they enjoyed during the summer and continue developing their skills and experience within their dedicated practice group.