Closing Date: 29th December, 2025

Description:

We are currently accepting applications for our 2026 Summer Associate Program. In our program, you will step into the experience of life as an associate at Fish. Every day will bring new insights about the associate experience and prepare you to join our ranks - from training programs, to drafting legal documents, or talking strategy over a working lunch. We encourage skills development through complex client work assignments and training. Our social events, dedicated mentors, and relaxed firm culture create an environment that fosters your relationships with your fellow summer associates and our attorneys. At Fish, we promote a creative, respectful and inclusive culture that values the diversity of people and allows ingenuity to thrive. You will be a respected teammate, joining an elite group of attorneys solving intellectual property issues for the world's leading companies.

1L Summer Associate candidates are also welcome to apply for our Emerging Leaders Fellowship. The program is a key component of our ongoing firm initiative to identify, support, and cultivate the next generation of leaders in the legal profession. Over 80% of our Fellowship recipients have received offers to join the firm as an associate following law school graduation.

Summer Associates who are awarded the fellowship will receive mentoring throughout the academic year by members of the firm; and accept a scholarship reward of up to $30,000. Fish will award $5,000 to all 1L Fellowship recipients upon completion of their 1L summer associate position with the firm; $10,000 to those returning as a 2L summer associate at Fish for the full 10 weeks of the summer program; and $15,000 to those who join the firm as an associate after law school graduation. Summer associate salary for 2026 is $4,327 per week.

If you have a passion for science, engineering and intellectual property, we want to hear from you.

What you will do:

Draft patent applications (patent prosecutions summer associates).
Conduct research and draft memos for litigation cases (patent litigation summer associates).
May have opportunities to attend client meetings, depositions, and even trials.
Explore your office's city and experience local culture with our attorneys as your guides.
Attend the firmwide Summer Associate Retreat filled with training, networking, and fun.

Who You Are:

You are passionate about contributing meaningfully to the diversity of our firm and the legal community.
You have exhibited leadership capabilities in your academic or professional career.
You demonstrate a record of academic and professional excellence in science or technology.
You have a superior writing ability.
You are curious and motivated to learn how things work.
You are in good standing as a law student at an ABA accredited law school, with an anticipated graduation date of spring 2028.
You have enthusiasm and are eager to rise to the challenge.
You thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

For Patent Litigation and Patent Prosecution Summer Positions: We require a scientific or technical background (degree and/or experience), excellent academic credentials, and superior writing ability.

2026 Summer Associate Salary: $4,327/week

Application Information and Timeline:

Complete applications require:

Cover letter
Resume
Undergraduate/graduate transcripts
A directed personal statement- In 750 words or less, please describe your interest in STEM and law, how you envision applying your STEM background to your future legal career, and how your experiences reflect your potential as an emerging leader in the legal profession. Strong leaders not only drive innovation and excellence but also foster environments that value diversity, equity and inclusion. Please highlight specific examples of how you have demonstrated leadership, initiative, or impact - particularly in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within your school, workplace, or in your community - and how these experiences have shaped your approach to leadership.

Please ensure that your personal statement is your own work and not generated or edited using AI tools or software.
The application deadline is Noon (ET) on December 29, 2025.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting October 15, so submitting your application early may be advantageous.
Should you be selected, you will be invited to one our virtual firmwide interview days, which will be held on January 13 and January 15, 2026.

Emerging Leaders Fellowship Information Sessions:
Please join one of our Emerging Leaders Fellowship Information Sessions to meet with members of Fish's Diversity & Inclusion Team and hear from former Fellows about their experience. To register, click on your preferred date:
Friday, November 14, 2025, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Eastern Time
Monday, November 24, 2025, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern Time
Wednesday, December 17, 2025, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Follow these links to learn more and review our FAQs about our Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program and Summer Associate Program.

www.fr.com/careers/law-students/
https://www.fr.com/why-fish/diversity-equity-inclusion/

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