Summer Associate Program
Summer Associate Program
Details:
Applications for 2027 1L positions will open on January 1, 2027, applications must be submitted by March 1, 2027.
Applicants for Taft’s Summer Program must be enrolled in a J.D. program at an accredited U.S. law school as a first-year law student. Applications will be accepted beginning January 1 each year, but final decisions will not be made until first semester grades are received.
1L summer associates who are extended an offer, complete their 1L summer with Taft and accept an offer to return to Taft as a second-year summer associate will be awarded a one-time $10,000 bonus paid on Taft’s next regularly scheduled payroll after their acceptance of the 2L offer.
The following application materials should be submitted:
- Completed application form
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Unofficial law school transcript
Overview:
The summer associate program at Taft is the lifeblood of our firm. Our summer associates often share with us the impact the program has on their professional development, and most join us as attorneys after law school. We look for students who have outstanding academic credentials as well as maturity, a friendly demeanor, demonstrated leadership, strong communication skills, and common sense.
Taft’s goal is to provide every summer associate with a realistic experience of what it is like to practice law. Summer associates work on a variety of actual client matters. You will attend depositions, hearings, closings, conferences, and trials as well as perform the careful research expected of all our lawyers. You will learn about as many of our practice groups as possible through client work and learning sessions highlighting our areas of practice. Summer associates are evaluated throughout the summer on an informal basis and will also have formal mid-summer and end-of-summer updates.
You will be assigned at least one associate mentor, who is available to assist as you become integrated into the firm. To help ensure you have the best experience possible our recruiting team is hands on in all aspects of the program from summer associate hiring to summer program planning and work assignment allocation – we have a strong team in place. We are here to help you be successful!
We believe that one of the firm’s biggest assets is our people, and we want you to meet as many of them as possible. Our recruiting team will provide you with many opportunities to do so from lunch and learns to practice group meetings and social events. We arrange a variety of activities intended to help you become knowledgeable about our firm, our people, and our communities.
We staff our summer program based on our need for incoming associates the following year. On a firm-wide basis, we typically hire approximately 40 summer associates per year.
The summer associate program is engaging, fast-paced, and rewarding. It is our desire that you fully experience the firm during your time with us and that you reach the same conclusion that we have – Taft is a great place to work!
Summer Associate positions are available in the following offices. Salaries for the 10-week summer program are as follows:
- Atlanta: $41,350
- Chicago: $41,350
- Cincinnati: $33,650
- Cleveland: $35,555
- Columbus: $33,650
- Dayton: $33,650
- Denver: $38,460
- Detroit: $33,650
- Indianapolis: $33,650
- Minneapolis: $38,460
- Phoenix: $38,460
- Washington, D.C.: $41,350
- West Palm Beach: $38,460
Applications for 2027 1L positions will open on January 1, 2027, applications must be submitted by March 1, 2027.
Interested law students should apply online on Taft’s website: Click here to apply!
If you have additional questions on the summer program at Taft, please contact the recruiter assigned to your preferred office below.
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Denver & Phoenix
Marissa Geannette |
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Minneapolis
Monica Gould |
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Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, & Indianapolis
Bronwyn Green |
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Chicago
Virginia Mohr |
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Cleveland & Detroit
Cara Newby |
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Atlanta, Washington, D.C., & Florida
Clara Shaheen |
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Firmwide
Lauren Stone |
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Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, & Indianapolis
Jim Tomaszewski |