Description:

Class of 2029 (or December 2028) graduates are eligible to apply.

The Kirkland & Ellis 2028 2L Canadian Summer Student Program is designed with your future in mind. Secure your 2L summer with us in our New York location and enjoy the flexibility to shape your 1L summer. Whether you join us for Kirkland's 1L Summer Experience or pursue another opportunity, every path leads to your 2L summer — the cornerstone of launching your career as a Kirkland associate.

The Canadian Summer Student Program brings students from law schools in Canada to work in New York for the summer. Given our desire to provide a meaningful experience for participating students, including substantive exposure to client matters, we are looking for law students who have a strong interest in practicing law in New York. Participating law students work on matters side-by-side with Kirkland attorneys and gain levels of responsibility similar to entry-level associates, thereby learning about U.S. legal work and Kirkland's practices and clients. The goal of the program is to integrate participating students into the professional, social, and cultural world of Kirkland, and in doing so strengthen the bond between Kirkland and their Canadian law schools. Participants will be fully integrated into our training programs, practice group meetings and social functions.

Each participant will have a mentor who will provide support and guidance during their summer at Kirkland. Every effort will be made to fully integrate the participants into our practice, so that when they return to their Canadian law schools, they will have a comprehensive understanding of Kirkland.

We are looking for highly motivated, talented and well-rounded individuals. Strong academic credentials or other indicators of intellectual curiosity and drive are looked upon favorably.

To apply, candidates must submit a resume and all available law school grades or transcripts. Candidates have the option of submitting additional information for consideration, such as verified LSAT score, undergraduate/graduate transcripts, or any other supplementary materials relevant to their candidacy. Candidates who apply prior to receiving first-semester law school grades will receive additional instructions via email on how to upload their transcript once available. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interview timing may vary by office. Offers will be extended following the release of first-semester grades.

Selected candidates will receive an offer to join Kirkland's 10-week 2028 2L Canadian Summer Student Program. If you accept your offer to join the Firm as a 2L summer student in 2028, you will be eligible to receive a one-time summer student bonus of US$50,000. In addition, you may elect to participate in our paid 2027 1L Summer Experience and/or pursue other opportunities outside the Firm during your 1L summer.

Kirkland's 1L Summer Experience: Four-week experience designed to develop meaningful professional connections while gaining exposure to the breadth and diversity of our practice groups.
Flexible Experience: Spend your 2027 1L summer gaining experience outside the Firm, whether through public service, a judicial internship or another opportunity that supports your goals.

To learn more about your Kirkland experience and our practice groups ahead of submitting your application, we encourage you to visit our website and join the Kirkland network.

Kirkland offers a competitive salary structure to all of its employees and attorneys. Compensation is based upon the roles and responsibilities of the position, the experience and education of the applicant and/or employee and is aligned with internal pay equity within Kirkland itself. The hiring salary for this position currently is US$225,000/year, prorated for time spent at the Firm. Administrative personnel will assist in obtaining necessary visas (if applicable and available) and other matters to ensure a smooth transition to the U.S. If applicable, Kirkland will cover the cost of obtaining the visa.

Our ability to perform at the very highest level of our profession is significantly enhanced by building and promoting diverse and inclusive teams in the broadest sense. All employment decisions, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, compensation, and evaluation are made without regard to race, ethnicity, citizenship, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, national origin, medical condition, veteran status, disability status, and any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law.

Kirkland is subject to certain governmental record-keeping and reporting requirements for administration of civil rights laws and regulations. In order to comply with these requirements and maintain internal statistics, the Firm invites all candidates for positions in our U.S. locations to voluntarily self-identify their race, ethnicity, and other personal characteristics. The information obtained will be kept confidential and will be used and retained in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws. Submission of the requested information is entirely voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment.

You confirm that all the information you provide on your resume and application is true, accurate, and complete. You also understand that any false, incomplete, or misleading information—no matter when it's discovered—may disqualify you from consideration or lead to termination, if employed.

By submitting your application, you're giving the Firm permission to use all information you provide (this includes your application, attachments, and any drafts) for recruitment purposes only. We do not share this information with third parties outside of our recruitment process. You acknowledge that we retain and may process your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy (https://www.kirkland.com/privacy-and-disclaimers). This means your data will be stored for a defined period by the Firm and our trusted third-party administrator.