Our Opportunities
Patent Litigation Fellowships
Perkins Coie’s Intellectual Property (IP) practice combines the focus and flexibility of a boutique firm with the services of one of the world’s leading technology law firms. We have more than 200 full-time patent litigators, patent prosecutors, and patent agents who are highly skilled at analyzing technology. We have litigated more than 350 patent cases in the past two years, with achievements that include outright wins on motions to dismiss, summary judgments, and bench and jury trials. Candidates for our patent litigation fellowships must have a technical or scientific background. Applicants with prior relevant experience are preferred.
Our Patent Litigation Fellows are full participants in our summer associate program and must spend the first 10 weeks of their summer with Perkins Coie. In addition to receiving a summer associate salary, Fellows will also receive a $15,000 stipend at the conclusion of their summer. Fellows will be chosen based on their skills and experience, as well as their technical degree and demonstrated interest in practicing law in patent litigation.
Application Guidelines
A complete application must include:
- Current resume.
- Cover letter.
- Three references (name, email, and phone).
- Undergraduate, graduate (if applicable), and law school transcripts (unofficial versions are acceptable).
- A legal writing sample (10-page maximum).
We evaluate all applications for the fellowship and consider the following factors:
- Academic achievement – A demonstrated record of academic achievement and excellent writing and interpersonal skills, as well as experience that will contribute to a successful career in the legal field.
- Patent litigation interest – Applicants must have a demonstrated interest in practicing law in patent litigation.
- Technical background – Applicants with a technical degree or background in computer science, electrical engineering, physics, and/or similar areas are preferred.
- Perspective – Life experiences that have shaped your perspectives and professional goals.
1L Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship
Legal Recruiting
Perkins Coie’s vision is to be second to none in creating and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects our broader society. Diversity and inclusion are core values and strategic priorities at Perkins Coie. Increasing diversity and inclusion allows us to draw from varied perspectives and communities, enabling us to attract the very best talent and continue to serve as trusted advisors to our clients.
Perkins Coie is pleased to offer the Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship Program. We have a long history of being intentional and consistent in our efforts to increase the diversity of our workforce and to advance the benefits of diversity and inclusion within the legal profession. We are proud to have supported law students through D&I Fellowship program initiatives for more than thirty years.
The program offers 1L students who demonstrate a profound commitment to fostering and promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession through their efforts at the law school and community level with a paid summer associate position and a $15,000 stipend at the conclusion of the summer program. Fellows who return for their 2L summer are eligible for an additional $15,000 stipend at the beginning of the summer program, as well as a $10,000 award should they accept an offer to join the firm as an associate following graduation.
Eligibility Criteria
- Good standing as a first-year law student at an ABA-accredited law school.
- Demonstrated record of academic achievement and excellent writing and interpersonal skills, as well as experience that will contribute to a successful career in the legal field.
- A history of meaningful contributions to the diversity and inclusion initiatives or programs you have established, expanded, or otherwise substantively engaged in while in school (including undergraduate), with an employer, or in your community.
Application Guidelines
- Current resume.
- Cover letter.
- Undergraduate, graduate (if applicable), and law school transcripts (unofficial versions are acceptable). You can and should still apply even if your first-semester law school grades are not yet available; you can update your application as soon as they are available.
- A legal writing sample (10-page maximum).
- A personal statement (one-page, single-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman font). Your statement should provide concrete examples of diversity and inclusion leadership, resilience, and perspective, highlighting the following:
- Diversity and Inclusion leadership. Diversity and inclusion initiatives or programs you have established, expanded, or otherwise substantively engaged in while in school (including undergraduate), with an employer, or in your community.
- Resilience. Obstacles you have encountered and overcome and what you learned from those experiences.
- Perspective. Relevant life experiences that have shaped your personal and professional goals.
Application Procedures
Please read the Fellowship FAQs then apply for the office for which you wish to be considered. Make sure to only apply for one office and one practice group. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Postings will close when positions have been filled. We urge you to apply as early as possible. Application materials should be submitted in PDF form.
2025 Opportunities
- 1L D&I Fellow-Commercial Litigation positions available in Chicago, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Phoenix, and Seattle.
- 1L D&I Fellow-Emerging Companies & Venture Capital positions available in Palo Alto.
- 1L D&I Fellow-General Corporate/Business positions available in Chicago and Seattle.
- 1L D&I Fellow-Product Liability position available in San Diego.
- 1L D&I Fellow-Real Estate & Land Use position available in San Francisco.
Questions?
For more information and to answer any questions about the program, contact our Diversity Recruiting Senior Manager, Tonya Gaskins, at TGaskins@perkinscoie.com.
2L Summer Application
We are still accepting 2L applications for the 2025 Summer Associate Program for patent prosecution only. We will begin hiring for Summer 2026 2L positions in the spring of 2025. Check back for details. We ask that students apply directly, even if we are participating in a campus interview program at your law school.
Applicants are welcome to apply to multiple offices. To express interest in multiple offices, separate applications are required. If you have not received your final 1L law school transcript at the time of application, that’s okay. Please provide it upon receipt.
Perkins Coie seeks summer associates who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership in and service to the community, and dedication to excellence in the legal profession. All candidates must be enrolled in and in good standing at an ABA-accredited law school.