We Grow Great Trial Lawyers
Robins Kaplan LLP is a national Am Law 200 litigation law firm. Our Summer Associate Program affords bright, passionate law students with an interest in litigation the training and guidance they need to put into practice the skills and knowledge acquired in law school.
Spend your summer with us, and become a better writer, a better advocate, a better lawyer.
NALP Forms
Summer Associate Hiring Process
How to Apply
There are two ways that you can apply for a Summer Associate position:
- Job fairs. We typically attend the Loyola IP Job Fair.
- Online application. You can submit an application here. Please include a cover letter, resume, copy of your school transcript and a writing sample. Convert your materials to PDF format before uploading.
If you are a 2L applying online, you will have the greatest chance of being considered for a screen interview if you submit your materials through our online application system between June 1 and July 15.
We encourage you to give special consideration to a strong cover letter in which you identify why you would like to work at Robins Kaplan.
The Interview Process
Once we receive your application, we typically conduct an initial (or screen) interview (via Zoom) before inviting candidates for a full interview. In call back interviews, you will meet with between five and seven attorneys for 30-minute sessions. This will give you an opportunity to learn more about Robins Kaplan and what you can expect as a summer associate and associate and to tell us more about your talents, interests, and goals. We are particularly interested in learning about:
- Your ability to think critically about complex business and legal issues;
- Your leadership and teamwork skills;
- How you have creatively solved problems and overcome challenges; and
- Your communication skills.
Following the interview, most candidates will hear from us about an offer within two weeks.
Information for 1L's
We offer a limited number of summer clerkships for students between the first and second years of law school. Each office recruits IL students differently. Check the job postings on our website or with the career services office of your law school for job postings.
Applications from 1L’s are generally accepted between December 1 and January 15 each year, but see individual job postings for specific application deadlines.
Robins Kaplan Attorney Recruiting Manager - Pa Houa Vue
Summer Associate Programs
What We're Looking For
Our vibrant, multi-discipline, nationally known practice reflects a shared purpose of excellence, community service, and a firm-wide commitment to justice. We are looking for bright, passionate, hard-working future lawyers who are committed to advocating for our wide array of clients. If this is you, we want to talk with you about joining our team.
Our Summer Associate Program
We have designed our Summer Associate Program with two primary goals in mind:
- Introducing you to our firm and what life as an associate will be like both professionally and personally; and
- Helping you improve as legal writers, thinkers, and advocates.
Assignments
As a summer associate, each assignment you receive will have been carefully selected by our Summer Associate Committee (which is comprised of two or three mid-level Associates). While the assignments vary in terms of the legal questions presented, they each require legal research and analysis and persuasive legal writing.
You will receive detailed feedback from the assigning attorney for each assignment. If there are particular cases or area of law you are interested in working on, we will try to find assignments that allow you that opportunity. You will also have a writing mentor who will work with you to improve your writing and is available to assist with questions that arise on assignments.
Training
During your summer at Robins Kaplan, you will have the opportunity to participate in our nationally recognized First Chair: Robins Kaplan Trial Academy. At Robins Kaplan, we are strong believers in the importance of hands-on, on-your-feet training and First Chair is a product of that commitment. You will be paired with a fellow summer associate to work through a hypothetical employment law case. Some of our most seasoned and skilled trial lawyers will teach you the ins and outs of direct examinations, cross examinations, opening statements, and closing arguments. Near the end of the summer, you will conduct a mock arbitration before a sitting judge and get feedback from partners.
Mentoring
We are big believers in the role mentors play in the professional growth of our attorneys. Part ambassador, part tour guide, your attorney mentor is here to provide you with answers to questions, show you the ropes, and serve as a sounding board to make sure both your work and your summer experience is on track. You will always have a point-person to guide you as needed.
Giving Back
Everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of race, religious beliefs, nationality, or economic situation. We provide pro bono legal services because it is the right thing to do, and our representation of those who cannot afford legal representation serves as a profound source of personal and professional satisfaction. As a summer associate, you will work on pro bono matters helping firm attorneys solve problems for people who might not otherwise have access to a lawyer.
We Rank
When you work with the best, you become the best. Our standard for excellence challenges our summer associates to bring their A-game. We invite you to share in our success.
- Named one of the “Best Places To Work”: Perfect Score on the Corporate Equality Index
Human Rights Campaign - High Rankings for Recommended Dispute Resolution Firm
Benchmark Litigation - National Tier 1 for Intellectual Property, Antitrust, and Civil Litigation/Class Actions
The Legal 500 Guide - Band 1 Rankings in Intellectual Property (MN), Commercial Litigation (MN), Antitrust (Nationwide, NY and MN)
Chambers USA - Top 20 Pro Bono Firms
The American Lawyer
Find out more about our Rankings and Recognition
Real Work. Real Life.
Our vibrant, multi-discipline, nationally known practice reflects a shared purpose of excellence, community service, and a firm-wide commitment to justice. We enjoy a host of social activities designed to help us get to know each other and to have fun. Summer socials include events like: baseball games, cooking school, bowling, and smaller gatherings with partners.
Summer Clerkship Compensation
Compensation for our summer associates is competitive. Summer associates can expect to earn just slightly less than a prorated portion of a first-year associate’s salary. As an example, our 2022 summer associates in the Minneapolis office earned $3,425 per week.
Locations
In 2023, our Minneapolis, Boston, Los Angeles, and New York offices will host summer associates.
Dates
In 2023, we expect our program will start in late May and end in late July.
Robins Kaplan Attorney Recruiting Manager - Pa Houa Vue
