SUMMER ASSOCIATES

When and how do I apply for a summer associate position?

Second-year law students interested in summer associate positions should check with their Career Services office or check our On-Campus Interviews list to determine if the firm is interviewing on-campus, or if you should apply directly to the firm.

First-year law students interested in summer associate positions should check with their Career Services office to determine the date on which they may start applying to law firms for summer associate positions. Usually, that date is December 1st, although at some schools it is December 15th. Visit our Candidate Gateway to determine whether we have openings for first year law students by using the link below:

Current Openings

You can apply directly to the firm by visiting out Candidate Gateway in early September to review our Current Openings. You can submit your resume, cover letter and law school transcripts through the Gateway by using the link below:

Current Openings

You may also apply directly to the firm by sending your cover letter, resume and law school transcript via email, PDF, fax or mail in early September to the Morrison & Foerster recruiter for the office in which you are interested.

If you are applying to more than one office, please advise our recruiters in each office.

Which MoFo offices have summer programs for U.S. law students?

All of our offices except Brussels, London, and Sacramento host summer programs for U.S. law school students. Our London office hosts a summer program for law students from U.K. law schools. For more information on our London program click here.

What should I bring to my interview?

Please bring resumes and law school transcripts for on-campus interviews. We also recommend that you bring extra copies of resumes and law school transcripts when you come into the office for call-back interviews. If you are invited for a callback interview, please also provide a list of references.

How long will my call-back interview last?

You should expect to spend roughly two to four hours with us during your call-back interview. Most candidates will meet about four to six partners and associates during the call-back interview. We encourage you to let your recruiter know if you would like to interview with specific practice groups, attorneys of color, women and/or LGBT attorneys.

Am I required to go to lunch on a call-back interview?

Some offices may invite you to lunch following your interview. You are not required to go to lunch on a call-back interview, but we think it offers an excellent opportunity for a free lunch and for you to meet with MoFo associates in a less formal setting.

What expenses will the firm reimburse?

Our recruiting staff will provide information on our travel reimbursement policies for local and non-local call-back interviewees. You will be required to complete an Interview Expense Reimbursement Request.

How long will it take to find out if I will receive an offer?

Your recruiter will let you know when you should expect to hear from us following your interview.

After I receive an offer, may I return to the office to meet more lawyers?

Yes, we encourage you to come back and meet more of us. You may request to meet with attorneys in specific practice areas, attorneys of color, women, LGBT attorneys or attorneys from your law school. If you are from outside the geographic area, check with your recruiter regarding returning for a post-offer visit. If you are interested, you recruiter will also give you the names of summer associates from a previous summer to "give you the scoop."

How long is the summer program?

Our summer program in 2011 was ten weeks in length. Summer associates generally arrive on one of two arrival dates in May or June and are expected to spend at least the first six weeks of the summer with us.

May I split the summer between two MoFo offices?

Summer associates who wish to split their summer with another MoFo office are required to interview with both offices and must receive offers from both offices. If you receive offers from two MoFo offices, you may, with their permission, split the summer between them. If you are splitting between a U.S. and an international office, you would be expected to stay with us longer than the minimum eight weeks so that you spend sufficient time with each office. Any requests to split between offices must be presented to the local recruiters during the call-back process.

May I split the summer with another firm?

Generally, you may split the summer with another firm if (1) approved by your MoFo office, (2) you spend the first six weeks at MoFo and (3) there are no conflicts of interest with the other firm that would prohibit your spending the summer at both firms.

Will I get my own office and secretary?

This varies by office. In some offices, summer associates will share an office with another summer associate, in others, they may receive their own office. All offices provide secretarial support to their summer associates but not all offices have individual secretarial assignments.

How are assignments distributed during the summer program? Can you receive assignments from all practice areas, or just one practice area?

Summer work coordinators distribute work assignments. Based on the office and your practice area interest(s), you may be assigned to a specific practice group. In offices where summer associates are not assigned to a specific practice group, we encourage you to use the summer to explore your interests. If, during the summer, you develop an area of interest, you may specify that you would prefer to concentrate primarily in that area. In offices where summer associates are assigned to a practice group, it is expected that they will receive most of their work assignments from that practice area, with an option to explore other areas early in the summer, if desired.

What should I wear to work?

Our dress code is business casual, clothing that is comfortable, yet neat and professional. Remember, as a summer associate, you represent the firm to visitors and clients. During the summer, you should keep in your office appropriate professional attire in the event you are invited to observe court appearances or attend client meetings.

Do summer associates travel for work-related assignments?

Occasionally, summer associates may travel for work-related assignments. For example, a summer associate may be asked to travel for corporate due diligence purposes or trial-related matters.

What type of work can I expect to receive? Can summer associates work on pro bono matters?

As a summer associate, you will receive assignments that we consider appropriate for first and second year associates, including legal research, drafting legal memoranda, court papers and corporate documents, performing due diligence and participating in other transactional and litigation matters. We recognize the importance of giving back to our communities and one of our most important policies is to treat our pro bono work in the same manner we treat our billable work. Summer associates are encouraged to volunteer for pro bono projects.

How does the review/evaluation process work?

Summer associates receive scheduled informal feedback in mid-summer and a formal evaluation at the end of summer. Attorneys are also encouraged to provide informal feedback to summer associates project by project throughout the summer.

How much partner contact is there? Are partners accessible?

All summer associates will have the opportunity work with partners. MoFo maintains an "open door" policy which encourages interaction among all lawyers. There also are many social events that take place over the summer that provide many opportunities to meet partners.

How diverse is MoFo

We take pride in promoting a diverse workplace. We believe that lawyers with different backgrounds, interests and experiences working together arrive at better answers and offer fresher perspectives. The Vault 2010-2011 survey ranked us #6 among law firms for diversity. We also ranked #8 for minorities and #6 for gays and lesbians. The firm was ranked #5 in MultiCultural Law magazine's 2010 "Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity" survey and in its 2010 "Top 100 Law Firms for Women" survey. We also were honored with the inaugural Diversity Award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association for the firm's commitment and success with diversity especially in the recruitment, retention, advancement, and promotion of APA attorneys.

In 2010, lawyers of color account for 11% of partners, 36% of associates and 41% of summer associates. Women account for 18% of partners, 48% of associates and 49% of summer associates. Many of our women lawyers, lawyers of color and gay and lesbian lawyers have held, or currently hold, important management positions within the firm, such as those on the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, key firm committees and as leaders of department and practice groups.

For additional questions regarding the firm's diversity initiatives, please contact Nadia Jones, our Professional Development & Diversity Manager, at (212) 336-4162 or njones@mofo.com.

What types of training programs do you provide for summer associates?

Each office offers a number of orientation and training programs specifically designed for summer associates to help integrate you into the office, the practice and the firm. During the summer, you also will be invited to attend regular practice group training sessions, and you will have access to the firm's Knowledge Exchange and online training programs.

Are summer associates assigned mentors?

As a summer associate, you will be assigned one or more mentors to help acclimate you to life at the firm.

What social activities are planned for the summer?

Our summer program is designed so that you can meet as many of us as possible and get to know us on an informal basis. In addition to informal lunches and dinners with lawyers, each office plans a wide variety of fun and interesting special events, including sporting events and cultural events as well as events that reflect each office's unique geographic and cultural attributes.