Chicago Summer Program

Summer Program in Chicago

Our Summer Program gives you a real sense of what a career practicing law looks like at a top-ranked global firm.

Key Practice Areas:
Corporate & Securities, Banking & Finance, IP, Litigation, Real Estate, Restructuring and Tax 

Work Assignments: As a summer associate, you will work closely with partners and associates on complex legal matters, providing you with invaluable, real-world experience and insight into the day-to-day of a top practitioner. We provide work assignments from all of our practice groups so that you can experience the different areas of law and make an informed decision regarding which practice you would like to pursue. We will assign work based on your preferences and you will be encouraged to seek work informally by meeting with partners and associates from practice areas that you want to learn more about. You will also be given an opportunity, and encouraged, to work on pro bono projects.

Development and Training: You will be invited to practice area presentations and attend a range of training sessions. Summer associates learn on the job practicing as generalists across different practice areas and working alongside practicing lawyers while also attending formalized training programs. You will have opportunities to observe closings, client conferences, negotiations sessions and much more.

Mentoring and Feedback: Each summer associate is assigned a partner and associate mentor at the start of the summer that provide ongoing professional guidance and support. They will introduce you to other attorneys to help build your network and ensure that you get the chance to work with a variety of lawyers and make sure you get a realistic perspective of the work performed by practicing attorneys. There are two feedback sessions – one during mid-summer and one at end of the summer – so that you can receive personalized, substantive feedback. We also encourage you to request informal feedback from attorneys you work with throughout the summer.

Networking and Building Relationships:  We offer many opportunities throughout the summer to network with attorneys and build relationships. From summer events that occur weekly throughout the summer, to events that are hosted by practice groups to our summer academy, you will be able to meet a vast cross-section of our attorneys.

 

Summer Academy

Our summer associates from all of our US offices come together at our summer academy, which is hosted by one of our local offices, where they network with other attorneys, get additional training and attend fun social events.

Culture

Our culture is paramount and like no other. Mayer Brown fosters an inclusive and collaborative environment with a collective vision of excellence and respecting and caring for others. 

Apply

How to Apply

CCPA Applicant Privacy Notice

Application Deadlines

We are currently accepting 2L law student applications for our 2026 Summer Associate Program in our Chicago Office. Candidates with an interest in Corporate, Employment & Benefits, Finance, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Real Estate, and Restructuring are encouraged to apply.

Chicago - 2L Summer Associate

Please submit your application (including resume and transcript) online and apply to the office of your choice only once for consideration by no later than June 30th. We are not accepting applications by email. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis until our summer program is filled. If you are selected for an interview for our summer program, we will contact you directly via email. 

We anticipate compensation for our Chicago summer associates in 2026 will be based on the annualized salary of $225,000 paid on a bi-weekly basis on Fridays. 

Contact Information

Caroline Gnadt - Student Recruitment Manager - Chicago

Telephone: +1 312 701 8758

E-mail: cgnadt@mayerbrown.com

Thank you for your interest in Mayer Brown. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to applicants and employee with disabilities and disabled veterans. To request a reasonable accommodation related to the applicable process and/or job interview, contact your recruiter by email at cgnadt@mayerbrown.com or by phone at +1 312 701 8758

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Continue reading

FAQs