Students 
Summer Associate Program Overview
Michael Best’s Summer Associate Program is a critical component of the Firm’s overall growth and diversification strategy. The Firm is proud to recruit a wide array of talented students from across the country to work within our Practice Groups. As a Summer Associate, you will have the opportunity to work alongside Michael Best attorneys on a wide variety of client matters. Michael Best provides our Summer Associates with a meaningful work experience in a challenging, developmental environment.
FAQs
How do I apply for Michael Best’s Summer Associate Program?
Each year we participate in on-campus interview programs and resume collects at various law schools. We encourage students to apply to Michael Best via these law school sponsored programs. Time constraints prevent us from interviewing at as many law schools as we would like, therefore we strongly encourage qualified applicants whom we are unable to meet during on-campus recruiting to apply via our online application portal linked here. We begin accepting resumes from 2L students July 1 and our interviewing process typically concludes in early September.
2022 OCI:
- Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School
- Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law
- Chicago-Kent College of Law
- DePaul University College of Law
- Duke University School of Law
- Loyola School of Law
- Marquette University Law School
- Northwestern Pritzker School Law
- Notre Dame Law School
- The University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law
- University of Chicago OCI
- University of Colorado Law School
- University of Denver Sturm College of Law
- University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (UIC Law)
- University of Minnesota Law School
- University of North Carolina School of Law
- University of Wisconsin Law School
- University of Illinois College of Law - Urbana
- Wake Forest University School of Law
- Washington University School of Law
- Cook County Bar Association (CCBA) Minority Law Student Job Fair
- The Law Consortium's Chicago Recruitment Program
- LGBTQ+ Bar Lavender Law Career Fair
What are the class sizes and law schools represented in the summer program?
Average class size is around 15-20 students. Recent summer classes have included students from: Boston College, Boston University, Case Western Reserve University, Cornell Law School, Duke University, George Washington University, Georgetown University Law Center, Loyola University Chicago, Marquette University, New York University, Notre Dame University, University of Chicago, University of Florida-Levin, University of Illinois, University of Iowa, University of Kansas, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, University of Pennsylvania, University of Wisconsin, Vanderbilt University and Washington University.
How does Michael Best’s callback interview process work?
We contact callback candidates shortly after their on-campus interview. Callback interviews generally take two to four hours, during which candidates meet with several of our attorneys from different practice groups. Callback interviews can take place in the office or via video.
What offices will be hosting a Summer Associate Program?
We plan to host summer associates in our Chicago, Denver, Madison, Milwaukee Salt Lake City/Cottonwood Heights, and Raleigh offices.
Does Michael Best offer split summer sessions?
We strongly encourage summer associates to select one Michael Best office to take full advantage of planned activities. Split summers will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
What kind of training will I receive?
We take pride in our responsibility to develop and grow our summer associates and lawyers. Summer associates participate in orientation and training during their first week at the Firm. There will be ongoing professional development opportunities offered throughout the summer including DEI seminars, practice area presentations, legal writing, business of the law firm, tips from a client’s perspective, and presentation skills. We also provide opportunities for our summer associates to become familiar with our clients’ facilities and products whenever we can.
What type of work will I receive?
Summer associates work on a wide range of challenging legal assignments similar to those given to new associates, which typically include legal research, analysis and drafting. Summer associates are commonly invited to attend depositions, mediations, deal closings, client meetings, trials, and other professional activities and events. We have a dedicated assignment coordinator for each practice group who maintains a database of available projects and works to ensure that each summer associate has equal opportunities and access to quality work. Projects are submitted by partners and senior associates and range from simple and straightforward to more substantive and time consuming.
What kind of supervision or guidance will I have?
Our summer associates join a team-oriented, inclusion-first culture and experience deep levels of support and guidance. Each summer associate will be paired with a partner sponsor and an associate advisor as a resource to turn to. The sponsor’s primary responsibility is to provide help finding work assignments, to offer guidance on assignments, and to share insight into the intangibles of life at Michael Best. The advisor is also part of the same practice group and helps introduce you to the firm, both socially and professionally.
When will I receive evaluations and feedback?
Summer Associate’s receive formal evaluations and reviews, and our attorneys provide informal feedback through everyday work experiences.
Can I participate in community service over the summer?
Each year our summer associates are invited to participate in a service day. Our communities have kept us going, so we make it a priority to give back.
Testimonials
Ashlee Burton (2020 & 2021 Summer Associate) – Cottonwood Heights
"I have so appreciated the attorneys in Utah and their willingness to mentor me. They have gone above and beyond to provide context into my projects, feedback on my work, and advice for my career."
Jason Swaby (2002 Summer Associate) – Chicago
“I noticed MBF’s commitment to diversity and fostering a welcoming work environment. The firm’s commitment to fostering a welcoming environment was evident based on those that I interacted with as well as those that received offers. From the partners to the associates to the support staff, everyone was warm and welcoming.”
Luke Taylor (2022 Summer Associate) – Raleigh
“I organically found mentors, even those who were assigned really took the time and cared about my experience and development. They sat down with me throughout the summer to go over projects and assignments and give encouragement and feedback."
Leah Toro (2020 Summer Associate) – Madison
“As a summer associate at Michael Best, I worked on a wide variety of interesting projects that challenged me and helped me grow my legal skills in the practice areas that I was the most interested in.”
STEM Student – Intern – Engineer & Scientist Summer Program (EDGE Program)
Michael Best invites engineering and science students who wish to explore the world of intellectual property to apply for a paid internship in our EDGE program. Our talented interns will have the opportunity to be placed at one of our offices across the country, and your location preferences can be prioritized via the online application. Hiring decisions will be made throughout the fall semester.
If accepted into our program, you will perform patent and technical research and writing. EDGE interns will also review patent applications, draft documents for attorney review, research and report on patent filings, and perform other duties and projects assigned by the intern’s direct report.
EDGE interns will work directly with our intellectual property professionals and be exposed to our patent engineer, scientist and agent program. Under the guidance of highly skilled professionals in the industry, you will develop your research and writing acumen and become well-versed in the latest technologies and technical developments. Michael Best will assign an experienced Intellectual Property professional to mentor you, help you set goals, and ensure you have access to all of the tools necessary to be successful and benefit from your time spent in our EDGE program. At the end of your internship, you will receive a formal performance appraisal and feedback.
Each 10 week EDGE internship offers:
- Assigned IP mentors and advisors
- Multiple office locations
- Competitive salaries
- Formal goal-setting and evaluations
- Challenging work assignments, including patent research and writing
- Networking and social activities
Qualifications:
- Passion for technology and a genuine interest in patent law
- Highly proficient research skills and demonstrated analytical ability
- Detail-oriented with excellent time management and follow-up skills
- Possesses strong initiative and is proactive in working with others
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Valid authorization to work in the U.S.
- Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and Ph.D. students, or Post-Docs
EDGE internships take place during the summer. To be considered, a candidate must have excellent academic credentials and should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and (unofficial) transcripts. Please include your cumulative GPA and expected graduation date in your resume, and an explanation as to your office location preference in your cover letter. The writing sample may be any paper in which you took a position, and/or argued a point. It’s helpful if there is technical content related to your major.
Business Support Internship
Each summer, Michael Best hosts dynamic self-starters who are interested in the legal industry and/or are planning to law school, for a paid internship with our Business Support Internship Program. This internship allows students to work on a variety of critical projects and assignments, gaining invaluable experience in the legal industry and exposure to the business of a law firm. Business Support Interns work closely with our internal teams in the following departments: Finance & Accounting, Human Resources, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Professional Development, Recruiting, Research Services & Competitive Intelligence, and Marketing & Business Development. Applications typically open in the spring of each year.
Please contact eemcdonald@michaelbest.com for more information.
 
Michael Best is steadfastly committed to providing equal employment opportunity and maintaining a workplace for employees and applicants for employment that is free from discrimination based upon age, race, religion, color, disability, marital status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact Human Resources at 414.271.6560 or humanresources@michaelbest.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. NALP FormsThe National Association for Law Placement (NALP) is an association of over 2,500 legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law offices, and law schools in North America and beyond. MORE DEI ScholarshipMichael Best’s DEI Scholarship initiative provides financial scholarships for law students each year. Recipients are awarded a scholarship for their second and third year of law school after successful completion of the Michael Best summer associate program. The application process is open to all law school students who fulfill the scholarship’s eligibility requirements. MBA ClerkshipThe Milwaukee Bar Association and Michael Best & Friedrich have teamed up to provide a unique and prestigious opportunity of a paid Summer Associate position with Michael Best and a separate Summer Clerkship in the federal court. This program strives to provide an opportunity to demonstrate particular care for people of diverse experiences and backgrounds to reflect that Milwaukee is a community where a person regardless of their background will be accepted, welcomed, and promoted. Participants of this program will gain experiences to help cultivate a desired career path. It is also a goal of this program that those selected will choose to practice in Milwaukee and continue to enrich the community with their talents and serve as a role model for others. Patent Engineering Internship & ScholarshipEvery year, our innovative Patent Engineering Internship Program gives engineering and science students a chance to work alongside Michael Best’s intellectual property professionals, performing patent work. In 2023, we added a Diversity Scholarship as part of our program, which we promoted across the country with strategic outreach to student affinity groups and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. We offer a supportive career path for our ESAs to work toward becoming future attorneys in the firm, and many of our ESAs have gone on to become partners. |