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US Summer Associate 1L Programs

Each year, we sponsor several opportunities for 1L law students related to our firm’s commitment to civil rights, equal opportunity, and inclusion. These fellowship programs reflect our commitment and are also a great way for law students to make significant legal service contributions while gaining substantial legal experience.

Below you will find our current 1L summer associate programs. Applications for 2026 are not yet available. If you would like to learn more about law student opportunities at K&L Gates, we invite you to submit your materials to our Law Student Inquiry Form.

K&L Gates is an equal opportunity employer that does not exclude anyone from consideration for this program based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Preferences or quotas are strictly prohibited.

K&L Gates created the Power of Partnership Program in 2018 to offer outstanding learning experiences for law students while also increasing engagement with our clients. This program offers selected 1L students the unique opportunity to split their summer between working as a summer associate in a K&L Gates office and as a member of an in-house legal team of a corporate client of the firm.

In 2025, we hosted Power of Partnership 1Ls in several of our offices and partnered with clients across a variety of industries, including financial services, technology, higher education, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.

In addition to a paid 1L summer associate position, our Power of Partnership Program participants are eligible to earn an academic bonus of up to US$50,000.

Applications are open on our careers page beginning on 1 November of each year. We begin to review applications on a rolling basis after 1 December, and the application period closes on 31 January.

Our Seattle office is also a sponsor of the Gregoire Fellows Program, a program through the University of Washington and Seattle University that recognizes students for their academic and professional achievements, unique perspectives and experiences, and leadership potential to diversify the legal profession in Washington.

Each fellow selected in partnership with the university receives a paid summer associate position.

The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) 1L Scholars Program is designed to strengthen the legal pipeline by expanding the number of opportunities for first-year law students. It provides 1L students with valuable professional experiences while introducing them to the value of relationships and building networks with LCLD member organizations. 

We select our LCLD 1L Scholar from the 1Ls we hire for our Summer Associate Program. In addition to a paid 1L summer position, the selected LCLD Scholar is afforded the opportunity to participate in the LCLD 1L Scholars Mentor Program and attend the LCLD 1L Scholars Summit with other 1L Scholars from around the United States. To be considered for the LCLD 1L Scholars Program, please apply to one of our open 1L positions on our website and indicate your interest in the LCLD 1L Scholars Program in your cover letter or personal statement.

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