2027 Summer Associate Program

Job Description

2027 2L Summer Associate | Barnes & Thornburg LLP
The Tone:
This is an invitation for second-year law students to apply for the prestigious 2027 Summer Associate Program at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, a leading legal services organization dedicated to providing comprehensive legal counsel across diverse practice areas. This program offers an unparalleled opportunity for aspiring legal professionals to gain firsthand experience within an active law firm environment, effectively bridging the gap between academic study and the practical application of law. The role is strategically important for both the students, who receive invaluable mentorship and exposure, and for Barnes & Thornburg, as it represents a key component of the firm’s strategy to cultivate and integrate future legal talent. The firm operates with a strong commitment to equal employment opportunity, ensuring that all recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, and benefits processes are conducted fairly and equitably, as a matter of both principle and established policy. This commitment underlines Barnes & Thornburg’s dedication to an inclusive professional atmosphere.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Seasonal
• Location: Not specified

• Mission: To cultivate the next generation of legal professionals by offering comprehensive practical experience and mentorship opportunities to second-year law students within a leading legal services firm.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Program Engagement: Actively immerse yourself in all facets of the 2027 Summer Associate Program, participating in structured educational seminars, engaging in firm-wide social and networking events, and attending practice group meetings to gain a holistic understanding of the firm’s operations and culture.
• Legal Project Contribution: Provide essential support to attorneys across various departments by undertaking substantive legal research, drafting intricate legal memoranda, preparing summaries of depositions or trial proceedings, and analyzing complex case documents, all under the guidance of experienced legal professionals.
• Skill Enhancement: Dedicate efforts to significantly develop and refine critical competencies indispensable to legal practice, including advanced legal analysis, precise persuasive writing, thorough statutory and case law interpretation, and effective factual investigation, through hands-on assignments and constructive feedback mechanisms.
• Professional Collaboration: Work integrally within a diverse team of legal experts, including partners, counsel, associates, and support staff, to foster a deep understanding of different legal practice areas, client service approaches, and internal firm dynamics, thereby cultivating strong professional relationships.
• Firm Immersion: Secure comprehensive exposure to the day-to-day operational realities, professional culture, and broad spectrum of practice groups within Barnes & Thornburg LLP, providing crucial insights into potential career trajectories and specialized legal fields within a sophisticated legal organization.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Current and active enrollment as a second-year law student (2L) at an accredited Juris Doctor (JD) program, demonstrating strong academic progression in legal studies.
• Experience: Possessing the foundational academic experience inherent to being a 2L student; no specific prior professional legal work experience is mandated, as this program is designed for early career development.
• Skills: Superior analytical capabilities critical for complex legal problem-solving; exceptional proficiency in legal research and writing, thoroughly demonstrated through a submitted writing sample; highly effective written communication skills necessary for composing a compelling cover letter and a detailed resume; and the ability to present academic qualifications via an official law school transcript.