The program is 10 weeks long, designed to provide a realistic preview of the associate experience. Our 10-week summer associate and 1L programs are available in our Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, New York, Wilmington and San Francisco offices.

Gain exposure to the firm’s core practice areas, including via practice group overviews led by the groups’ respective chairs and associates, practice group hosted social events and access to work opportunities across various practice areas. Our exploratory program allows you to try multiple practice groups without being forced to “choose” a pathway before you are ready.

Gain hands-on experience with a diverse range of substantive work and project types. You will receive assignments that mirror those of a first-year associate, such as drafting complaints, motions for summary judgment and performing legal research on high-impact projects.

Participate in comprehensive sessions and training programs, including our “Summer Foundations” series. Highlights include mock negotiation and deposition simulations, practice group overviews, and training on the firm’s economics and business development.

We offer immediate opportunities for contact with clients. Summer associates are often involved in strategy sessions, negotiating and drafting meetings, and may even attend court proceedings or depositions to see the business of law in action.

Each summer associate is paired with a dedicated partner mentor and an associate “buddy.” These mentors provide career advice, facilitate internal networking, and help you navigate the firm’s culture as you learn more about life in private practice.

Benefit from ongoing, constructive feedback from the attorneys you work with. In addition to informal daily check-ins, you will participate in formal mid-summer and end-of-summer performance evaluations to help you track your professional growth.

Build relationships and acclimate to our culture through a variety of planned social events. These are designed to help you get to know our attorneys outside the office while exploring the best of your local city.

Collaborate with attorneys and summer classmates across all Benesch offices. To foster firm-wide connections, summer associates also have the opportunity to visit 1–2 other Benesch offices during their 10-week program.

This signature two-day event brings together summer associates from all offices for intensive professional development, teambuilding, and social networking with attorneys from across the firm.