About McDermott Will & Schulte
Students looking for a firm that encourages them to be their authentic selves while becoming indispensable to clients should look no further than McDermott. One of the fastest-growing firms in the AmLaw 25, we give our summer associates the opportunity to do meaningful work from the start. Each summer is paired with a dedicated mentor (or mentors) who provide day-to-day guidance and practical advice about transitioning from law school to life in a law firm. In addition to this informal coaching, summers receive formal feedback at both the program midpoint and conclusion.
Our program is designed to support professional growth as well as personal well-being. Summer associates participate in a robust series of training opportunities, including writing workshops, hands-on skills sessions, and substantive practice group programming to help them build confidence and sharpen their legal skills. Complementing this, our well-being program offers resources and events focused on balance, resilience, and overall wellness, ensuring our summers feel supported both inside and outside of work.
At McDermott, inclusion, wellness, and community involvement are valued just as highly as client service, and our summer associates experience the Firm’s commitment to those values firsthand. For more information regarding our initiatives, please view our recruiting brochure: Join Us at McDermott – McDermott Will & Schulte
2027 2L Summer Program Opportunities
McDermott is seeking 2L summer associates to join us for our 10-week 2027 Summer Associate Program. Our program offers summer associates a realistic introduction to the practice of law and day-to-day life as a McDermott associate. The summer associate program provides meaningful responsibility and feedback that is consistent with a junior associate experience. 2027 Summer Associates will receive weekly compensation of $4,326, less applicable taxes and withholdings.
As part of the application and interview process, applicants are asked to indicate their primary practice area(s) of interest. Throughout the summer program, summer associates will primarily receive assignments from their designated practice area but will also have the opportunity to explore assignments from other groups. With the exception of our Intellectual Property group, McDermott does not hire summer associates into specific practice areas. However, our first-year associates are placed into practice areas. Therefore, we seek to align summer associates’ general practice interests with local office practice representation.
In 2027, we will host formal summer programs in our Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC offices. Below is an overview of the general practice areas where we expect to place our 2027 summer class as first-year associates.
Washington, DC: Antitrust & Competition, Corporate Advisory (M&A/Private Equity), Employment Litigation, Energy & Project Finance, Government Contracts, Health & Life Sciences, Litigation, Privacy & Cybersecurity, Private Client (Trust & Estates), U.S. & International Tax
Applicants are asked to submit the following materials:
2L Inclusion Fellowship
As part of McDermott’s longstanding commitment to promoting a more equitable & inclusive law firm, we are proud to offer our 2L Inclusion Fellowship, open to all second-year law students who meet our eligibility criteria. 2027 Inclusion Fellows will receive a $25,000 stipend, less applicable taxes and withholdings. Half of the stipend will be paid out upon completion of the 2027 Summer Program, and the remaining half will be paid out upon joining McDermott as a full-time associate. Fellowships will be awarded on a competitive basis. To be considered, candidates must:
Application Process
We will accept applications on a rolling basis beginning December 15, 2025. Students must apply through our web application portal at careers.mwe.com with all required materials in order to be considered. Applicants will receive an email confirmation that includes a self-update link which may be used to provide an updated transcript once available or make any necessary adjustments.
Questions? Please visit our Summer Program page to view contact information for the law student recruiting team member in the office(s) in which you are interested.
