How do I apply for a summer associate position if you don’t interview at my law school?
You may submit an application for our summer associate program online. Click here to apply now.
How many summer associates were in the firm’s 2025 program?
Boston - 7
Charleston - 1
Charlotte - 3
Chicago - 7
Houston – 1
Kansas City - 1
Los Angeles - 1
Miami - 1
Nashville- 4
Newark - 2
Orange County - 1
Pittsburgh - 4
Raleigh - 3
Research Triangle Park - 1
Seattle - 6
Washington, D.C. - 3
What’s the typical agenda for a callback interview?
The interview format differs among offices. Generally, you’ll spend the morning or afternoon at the office, meeting with four to six lawyers with different experiences and practices. Be sure to identify practice areas of interest before your interview to help us schedule meetings with lawyers in those practices.
Will I be reimbursed for travel expenses associated with my office interview?
Yes. We reimburse all reasonable travel expenses approved by our recruiting team. Be sure to keep your receipts and submit a NALP Travel Reimbursement Form.
When does the summer associate program start, and how long does it run?
Our summer associate program varies by office but it typically runs 10 weeks, beginning in May or June. Ask our recruiting team for this year’s program dates.
Does the firm allow split summers between K&L Gates offices or other firms?
We typically prefer summer associates to spend their full summer in one office so their experience is fulsome and uninterrupted, but we consider requests to split within K&L Gates offices on a case-by-case basis.
As a summer associate, will I be assigned mentors?
Yes. Your mentors will assist you with all aspects of our summer associate program, helping with work assignments and professional development and serving as a resource during your time at the firm.
As a summer associate, what type of training can I expect to receive?
The firm’s Professional Development Department creates and delivers a new summer associate curriculum each year, designed to enhance your knowledge and technical skills and your transition to practicing lawyer.
As a summer associate, what type of work can I expect?
You will work on client matters and pro bono cases similar to what you would work on as a first or second year associate. We also provide shadowing opportunities that may include the chance to accompany our lawyers to court appearances, arbitrations, depositions, trials, client meetings, and other key events.
As a summer associate, what type of feedback can I expect to receive?
You will receive feedback from your mentor and other lawyers over the course of the summer. You will gain insight through written evaluations as well as a mid-summer review and end of summer review.
Does the firm have a billable hours expectation for summer associates?
No. However, you will be working on real client work and are expected to learn how to balance deadlines and expectations. Summer associates typically bill between 25-35 hours per week.
Will I have the opportunity to work on pro bono matters?
Yes. K&L Gates has a strong commitment to pro bono work, and you’ll be encouraged to participate in these assignments during the summer.
As a summer associate, will I be provided with insurance benefits?
The firm does not provide insurance or other benefits to summer associates or their dependents unless required by law.
How many summer associates receive permanent offers from K&L Gates?
Our goal is to make offers to all of our successful summer associates.
What types of social activities could I expect to participate in as a summer associate?
The firm arranges a variety of social activities throughout the summer program to provide summer associates and lawyers the opportunity to get to know one another. Dinners, sporting events, and other local events are just some of the ways summer associates get to know the lawyers.
Do you hire 1Ls for your summer program?
We hire 1Ls for a select number of our offices and practices. Please check our careers page in early November for more information about how to apply. For the 2026 Summer Program, we will begin to review 1L applications on a rolling basis beginning in December 2025, and the application period will close on 31 January 2026.
Do I have to choose a particular practice area at the beginning of the summer?
We encourage our summer associates to identify their preference of practice and to dedicate time to learning about that practice during the summer program. Where practical, we do provide opportunities to summer associates in practice areas outside of their primary practice throughout the summer.
How can I expect to receive work as a summer associate?
Our work assignment process varies by office. Some offices take a free-market approach, and some have assignment coordinators. Partners and more experienced associates assign work to each summer associate.
