How Can You Get a Summer Internship at a US Law Firm?
Summer internships at US law firms usually include 1L Summer positions, 2L Summer Associate positions, and internships at small law firms, government agencies, courts, and public interest organizations. For JD students who hope to enter large law firms, 2L summer programs are especially important because many law firms select post-graduation Associates from their Summer Associate classes.
NALP notes that most large law firms still use summer associate programs as an important channel for evaluating and attracting law students. At the same time, law firm recruiting has moved noticeably earlier, the importance of traditional OCI has declined, and the share of employer-organized interviews and off-campus recruiting has increased. In the 2025 recruiting cycle, Offers from off-campus recruiting increased significantly, while the number of traditional OCI Offers fell sharply.
I. Focus First on Strong Grades in the First Semester of 1L
For large law firm recruiting, 1L grades remain an important screening factor. When students first enter law school, they have similar experiences, and law firms have a hard time distinguishing candidates through extensive legal work experience. As a result, grades, legal writing, and school background often carry substantial weight.
This does not mean that students without top grades have no chance at all. Language ability, technical background, patent eligibility, finance experience, and ties to a particular market can also become advantages. But students should first master case reading, Outline preparation, exam writing, and time management, rather than joining too many activities in the first semester.
II. Build a Legal Resume and Writing Sample Early
A legal Resume usually includes law school, undergraduate education, grades or ranking, legal experience, other work experience, activities, and language skills. The content should be accurate, and students should not exaggerate responsibilities for law firm applications.
A Writing Sample should show independent legal analysis and clear writing. Students may use assignments from a Legal Writing course, but they should remove professor comments, protect client or case information, and attach a brief explanatory note in accordance with the school's guidance.
III. Do Not Just Wait for OCI
Many law firms now open direct applications before the school's OCI. Students should pay attention to:
Law firm websites;
School career centers;
NALP Directory;
Alumni and bar associations;
Law School recruiting programs;
Conferences and events in specific practice areas.
The target law firm list should be categorized by city, practice area, size, and grade requirements. When applying directly, the Cover Letter should explain why the student chose that region and that law firm, rather than simply saying, "your firm enjoys an excellent reputation."
IV. Networking Must Be Specific
Students can contact alumni, professors, and lawyers working in target fields for Informational Interviews. In these conversations, they should ask about the nature of the practice, team culture, career paths, and recruiting advice, rather than asking for a referral at the outset.
If the other person is willing to help, the student should promptly send a concise Resume and explain the position being applied for and the deadline. A referral can increase the likelihood that materials will be seen, but it cannot replace grades, writing, and interview performance.
V. Interview Focus
Law firm interviews usually ask:
Why law?
Why this firm?
Why this city?
Why this practice area?
Tell me about your law school experience.
What did you do during your prior internship?
Large law firms also pay close attention to whether applicants can work with clients and teams over the long term. Answers should show professionalism, friendliness, attention to detail, and genuine interest.
VI. 1L Internships Are Also Important, But There Is No Need to Fixate on Big Law
NALP materials show that only a very small percentage of 1L students receive post-graduation Associate Offers directly at the end of their 1L summer, and many law firms do not make decisions that early.
Therefore, gaining research, writing, and practical legal experience during the 1L summer at a court, government agency, public interest organization, corporate legal department, or small law firm is also valuable. During 2L recruiting, students need to be able to explain what they did and what they learned, rather than only comparing the prestige of institutions.
The core of obtaining a summer internship at a law firm is acting early: build a foundation in grades and writing in the first semester, begin understanding the market around winter break, then apply directly, participate in on-campus programs, and build alumni connections. If students wait only for the school's OCI notice, they may already have missed important recruiting windows at some law firms.