We pride ourselves on investing in your future right from the start of your legal career through our signature 1L programs. Learn more about our 1L opportunities below.
Applications for 1L opportunities at Akin are now open! Apply here
Texas 1L Summer Associate Program
1L students may join our Texas 1L summer associate program in either the Dallas or Houston office. Spend the summer working on substantive assignments while you get a feel for the office culture. 1L Summer Associates are included in every program offered to the 2L Summer Associates, including training, networking and hands-on experiences that will shape your future career. Texas 1L Summer Associates receive the summer associate salary during their time at the firm.
Pro Bono 1L Scholars Program
The summer after your 1L year, you’ll spend six weeks working at Akin and the rest of your summer working at a public interest organization of your choice. Pro Bono Scholars make a commitment to return as 2L summer associates.
Strauss Diversity and Inclusion 1L Scholars Program
Building on the legacy of founding partner Robert Strauss, we have long valued diversity, equity and inclusion as vital to outstanding client service. To further these efforts, we offer students who have demonstrated their commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion the opportunity to spend six weeks with the firm working on legal matters, and the rest of your summer at a firm client—all while being involved in the firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Opportunities are available in Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C. Strauss Scholars make a commitment to return as 2L summer associates.
We also offer practice-specific versions of our SDIS program through our International Trade, IP and Financial Restructuring programs listed below.
Learn more about Akin’s definitions of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Learn more about Akin’s Core Values.
International Trade Diversity & Inclusion 1L Scholars Program
During the first summer, you’ll join our top-ranked and global International Trade practice and a firm client to get experience navigating strategic decisions and regulatory frameworks that shape how goods and services move around the world. Across the second summer, you’ll continue working with this practice as a summer associate.
Intellectual Property Diversity & Inclusion 1L Scholar Program
During the first summer, you’ll work directly with both our intellectual property team and a firm client to get early experience with engineers and scientists and top-ranked patent litigators and trial lawyers to protect industry-leading innovations. During the second summer, you’ll continue working for the group as a summer associate. You’ll also participate in the firm’s and the practice group’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Financial Restructuring (Bankruptcy) Diversity & Inclusion 1L Scholars Program
During the first summer, you’ll work directly with both our financial restructuring team and a firm client to get early experience in some of the most groundbreaking restructurings. During the second summer, you’ll continue working for the group as a summer associate. You’ll also participate in the firm’s and the practice group’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
1L Scholar Compensation
Scholars are paid the summer associate salary during their ten weeks and are eligible to receive a scholarship of $50,000. The first portion of the scholarship ($10,000) is paid upon starting with the firm as a 1L scholar. The second portion ($20,000) is paid upon honoring your commitment to return to the firm as a 2L summer associate. The third portion of the scholarship ($20,000) is paid upon your commitment to return to the firm as a first year associate following law school graduation. Applicants may not be the recipient of a similar award from another law firm.
Recruiting
Contact our Recruiting teams about opportunities for law students.
