2026 Summer Program Opportunities – 2L | McDermott Will & Emery
Build your big career with the Firm that does Big Law, Better. McDermott Will & Emery is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,400 lawyers and 1,200 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and the Human Rights Campaign, among others.
At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office, through personalized guidance, structured mentorship, and confidential career coaching.
With us, you’ll find:
McDermott Will & Emery is seeking 2L summer associates to join our Intellectual Property Litigation group for our 10-week 2026 Summer Associate Program in our Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC offices. 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.
Preferred technical backgrounds: Aerospace/aeronautical Engineering, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Genetics, Immunology, Industrial Engineering, Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Neurobiology, Neuroscience, Nuclear Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Physics
Please note: While we will not be running summer programs in Austin or San Diego in 2026, IP Litigation summer associates primarily interested in these locations will have the opportunity to join one of our other offices for the summer program. After successful completion of the summer program, they will receive an offer to return to the Firm as a first-year associate with the option to join our Austin or San Diego offices if that is their preferred geographic location.
Applicants are asked to submit the following materials:
2026 Summer Associates will receive weekly compensation of $4,325, less applicable taxes and withholdings.
As part of McDermott’s longstanding commitment to promoting a more equitable & inclusive law firm, we are proud to offer our 2L Inclusion Fellowship Program. The fellowship is in addition to the opportunities offered to our summer associates, which include substantive work experience, extensive training and development opportunities, mentoring, networking and social events.
2026 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 2026 Summer Program and the remaining half will be paid out upon joining McDermott as a full-time associate.
Eligibility & Application Process
The 2L Inclusion Fellowship is open to all second-year law students that apply and will be awarded on a competitive basis.
To be considered, the candidate must:
