The San Diego office of Stoel Rives LLP is now accepting applications from current 1L students for 2L summer associate positions in our 2028 summer program.

Our Summer Program

Our summer associates produce real work for real clients. Summer associates’ work may include researching and writing legal research memos, drafting significant portions of briefs, framing discovery requests, and drafting transactional documents. Summer associates have opportunities to participate in client meetings, hearings, closings, depositions, and trials. They also participate in training and professional development programs during their time at the firm.

Each summer associate is matched with an experienced attorney mentor to provide guidance on navigating legal practice. We also schedule social and networking events for summer associates to meet attorneys from across multiple practice groups.

Hiring Criteria

When evaluating candidates for our summer program, we consider a broad range of factors that include the following. No single factor is determinative.

·         Interest in one or more of the firm’s core practices areas. The San Diego office will consider students for the project finance practice.

·         Academic achievement and excellent analytical, research, and writing skills

·         Strong interpersonal and leadership skills

·         Professional experience prior to law school

·         Participation in law school organizations, law journal, or moot court

·         Community engagement

·         Intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, responsiveness, initiative, and perseverance

·         Commitment to client service and team success

Application Materials

• Please submit your application materials through our website here.
• Cover letter. Your cover letter should state your office of interest and describe your areas of practice interest. We understand these interests may change, and our summer program provides opportunities to work across practice areas. That said, knowing your current interests will help us hire a summer associate class that is most likely to meet our practice groups’ future hiring needs.
• Resume. One page is preferred.
• Undergraduate transcript and graduate school transcript, if applicable.  An unofficial transcript is sufficient.
• Law school transcript.  We understand law school grades might not be available when you submit your application materials and that they typically are not available until January. When they are available, please submit your transcript through our website to supplement your other application materials. An unofficial copy of your transcript is sufficient.
• Writing sample. Please submit your writing sample with your transcript through our website to supplement your other application materials. Your writing sample should not have been substantially edited by others or using AI, and it should be no more than 5 – 8 pages, double-spaced.  A legal writing sample is preferred but not required.

Compensation

Our summer associates receive the weekly equivalent of a first-year associate salary in their office location. The weekly salary in the San Diego office is $3,942.

For information about our professional development programs and resources, our pro bono work and pro bono opportunities, and our commitment to ensuring an inclusive workplace and one that supports the well-being of our attorneys and business professionals, please visit www.stoel.com.