Law Students
Our commitment to exceptional service starts with our people. Our dedication to excellence through our people is central to everything we do.
We are still accepting 2L applications for the 2025 Summer Associate Program for patent prosecution only. Please click on the “Summer Program” tab below for more information.
Apply Here 🡢
Working with innovators, both locally and around the world, means we need to attract, hire, develop, and retain the best professionals industry has to offer.
Talent, training, and teamwork are essential to our success, and we are always busy developing and fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion, respect, creativity, and growth.
Most of our junior associates join us via our summer associate program. We typically recruit second-year law students, though we occasionally hire pre-clerkship third-years for our U.S. offices.
Associates beginning their careers at Perkins Coie participate in an extensive orientation and training. Our associates receive significant responsibility early in their law firm careers. New associates are assigned to mentors who will help them learn the ropes—and the people. Additionally, mentors help their mentees understand and live our values. Perkins Coie associates are in direct contact with clients and partners and often assume leadership roles within the firm.
Top Ranked Law Firm in Vault
Perkins Coie has been listed in the Vault Top 100 for 15 consecutive years, moving up again this year.
What Our Summer Associates Say
BEST EXPERIENCE
"I had previously worked at another law firm and in a public interest position. My summer at Perkins Coie blew both of those experiences away"
- Former 2L Summer Associate
HELP SET LEGAL PRECEDENT
"I had the opportunity to provide analysis for one of the world's biggest tech companies. The law was 10 steps behind the technology so I had to find new sources to supplement my traditional legal research."
- Former 2L Summer Associate
CHALLENGING ADVENTURE
“My summer at Perkins Coie was nothing short of an adventure. The level of access I had to associates, partners, and a challenging, yet exciting variety of assignments blew my mind. Everyone was incredibly kind, friendly, and approachable.”
- Former 1L Summer Associate
APPROACHABLE AND COMFORTABLE ATMOSPHERE
"Perkins Coie created a warm atmosphere for summer associates learning the ways of the law. I learned a great deal during my summer, and, most importantly, I never experienced any negative judgment for asking questions."
- Former 1L Summer Associate
RISE To Big Law
As a rising second-year law student, you may find the interviewing season to be overwhelming. We are here to provide support, and encourage you to maximize the resources available through your law school's career development office. We also seek to offer additional assistance to enhance your understanding of the hiring process and facilitate your success as a summer associate.
Series Introduction
RISE To Big Law Video Series
Recruit
Find out everything you need to know about application materials.
| Navigating the New Recruitment Process & Timelines | Maximizing Your Opportunities & Making Decisions |
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| Your Application: Transcripts & Grades | Your Application: The Resume |
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| Your Application: The Cover Letter & Geography | Your Application: Practice Areas |
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| Your Application: Writing Samples & References | |
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Interview
Explore information and guidance on what you need to know before, during, and after interviews.
| Distinguishing Yourself from the Crowd | Knowing About Firm Practice Areas |
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| Getting To Know The Firm’s Culture | Do This Before an Interview |
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| Initial vs Full Interviews & Asking Questions | Interview Etiquette & Timing |
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| After the Interview & Making Decision | |
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Summer
Discover ways to make the best of your summer program.
| Managing 2L Offers While in a 1L Summer Job | |
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Experience
Check in for more details and insights into this exciting opportunity later this year. Revisit soon for more video content!
Perkins Coie's summer associate program offers an opportunity to try your hand at actual legal work and get to know your potential colleagues. You will be challenged and engaged by projects and meet the lawyers and business professionals who make up our dynamic team.
Our Opportunities
1L Opportunities
The 1L application window is now closed.
2L Opportunities
Perkins Coie's summer associate program provides varied work and training opportunities as well as social events designed to promote interaction among summer associates, lawyers, and business professionals. Our summer associate program is our primary source of junior associate hires.
Work Assignments
Summer associates work on a wide range of legal assignments just like those given to junior associates, including legal research, analysis, and drafting.
2L summer associates are assigned to a specific practice group but are welcome and encouraged to request projects in other areas in which you may have an interest. These include, but are not limited to, projects related to the following practice areas:
- Business Litigation
- Corporate & Securities
- Intellectual Property
- Privacy & Data Security
- Product Liability
- Real Estate & Land Use
- Technology Transactions & Privacy
- Trademark, Copyright, Internet & Advertising
Practice—Through hands-on legal projects.
Learn—Under the guidance of experienced lawyers.
Enjoy—Meeting new people at social events and working on matters.
Summer "Trackers"
"Trackers" are lawyers who coordinate work assignments and monitor the type, quality, and amount of work assigned to each summer associate. Summer associates are also encouraged to seek out assignments directly from senior associates and partners.
Supervising lawyers provide informal feedback to summer associates after each assignment and submit written, formal evaluations to the office hiring committee. These evaluations become part of each summer associate's midsummer and final evaluations.
Recruiting Contacts
Austin
Anna Friesenhahn she/her/hers
Senior Legal Recruiting Manager, AFriesenhahn@perkinscoie.com
Boise
William French he/him/his
Legal Recruiting Manager, WFrench@perkinscoie.com
Chicago
Anna Friesenhahn she/her/hers
Senior Legal Recruiting Manager, AFriesenhahn@perkinscoie.com
Dallas
Anna Friesenhahn she/her/hers
Senior Legal Recruiting Manager, AFriesenhahn@perkinscoie.com
Los Angeles
Michelle Morris she/her/hers
Legal Recruiting Manager, MichelleMorris@perkinscoie.com
Madison
Sarah Hayden she/her/hers
Legal Recruiting Manager, SHayden@perkinscoie.com
New York
Sarah Hayden she/her/hers
Legal Recruiting Manager, SHayden@perkinscoie.com
Palo Alto
Deidre Sparks she/her/hers
Legal Recruiting Manager, DSparks@perkinscoie.com
Phoenix
Michelle Morris she/her/hers
Legal Recruiting Manager, MichelleMorris@perkinscoie.com
Portland
Deidre Sparks she/her/hers
Legal Recruiting Manager, DSparks@perkinscoie.com
San Diego
Michelle Morris she/her/hers
Legal Recruiting Manager, MichelleMorris@perkinscoie.com
San Francisco
William French he/him/his
Legal Recruiting Manager, WFrench@perkinscoie.com
Seattle
Cinnamon Baker she/her/hers
Legal Recruiting Manager, CABaker@perkinscoie.com
Washington, D.C.
Sarah Hayden she/her/hers
Legal Recruiting Manager, SHayden@perkinscoie.com
Diversity is a long-standing core value and one of the firm’s strategic goals.
Embracing diversity allows us to draw from varied perspectives and communities, enabling us to attract the very best talent to our ranks, and in turn provide excellent service to our clients.
Our commitment to community spans more than a century.
We have a long history of giving back and helping those in need, building a more inclusive society, and providing equal access to justice. Our pro bono efforts drive tangible outcomes that make a real difference.