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. Learn more about Associate Life. 

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.