2028 2L Summer Associate: Bay Area

At Baker McKenzie, your summer is more than a program – the Emerging Lawyers Academy is the beginning of what’s possible. Bring your perspective. Build your skills. Shape what comes next.

Baker McKenzie’s US Emerging Lawyers Academy is an immersive 10-week summer program designed to develop the next generation of global lawyers. The program combines meaningful client work, cross-practice exposure, experiential learning, AI fluency training, tailored coaching and mentoring, and opportunities to build relationships across offices, practices and borders.

Summer Associates explore assignments across our five North American practice groups — Commercial, Employment & Compensation, Disputes, Tax and Transactional — helping students discover where their interests, strengths and ambitions align. From day one, Summer Associates contribute to real client matters, collaborative projects and world-class pro bono initiatives.

Long-term development is central to the Academy experience. Summer Associates participate in foundational training designed to build practical legal skills, client-service excellence, professional judgment and AI fluency through workshops and simulations. Summer Associates are also paired with Partner and Associate mentors who facilitate introductions, support work allocation and feedback, and help them build confidence with intention.

You will be a part of our intentionally targeted summer class size which allows for individualized support, meaningful access to partners and associates, and opportunities to form lasting professional relationships and friendships. Summer Associates also have opportunities to connect with lawyers, clients and colleagues across offices through offerings such as the Client Summer Scholars Program, Visiting Office Experiences, and an in-person Emerging Lawyers Academy Training focused on skills-based and practice-based training.

Compensation:

Summer Associates receive weekly compensation equivalent to the first-year associate market rate, plus a $10,000 Academy stipend upon arrival. Summer Associates who receive and accept an offer to return as first-year associates will receive an additional $10,000 upon their associate start date.

What we look for:

- Strong academic foundation and intellectual curiosity: students who have demonstrated academic achievement, sound judgment, discipline, and a genuine interest in learning.
- Growth mindset and openness to exploration: candidates who are excited to try work across different practices, receive feedback, and use the summer experience to better understand where they can thrive.
- Future-ready skillset: students who show strong analytical ability, practical problem-solving, and interest in developing AI fluency and innovation-minded client service.
- Global mindset: candidates who are curious about cross-border work, comfortable building relationships across offices and diverse cultures, and interested in serving clients in a global firm environment.
- Interest in long-term development at Baker McKenzie: students who see the Academy as more than a summer experience and are interested in growing into future associates and global lawyers.

Application information:

To be considered for our 2028 2L Summer Associate Program, please submit a resume, cover letter, and unofficial undergraduate transcript with your application. Selected 1L candidates will be invited to interview on a rolling basis beginning in November 2026 through March 2027.

Baker McKenzie empowers clients to compete in the global economy. We provide comprehensive and practical legal advice that cuts through complexity with clear, actionable guidance. Our people represent diverse cultures and jurisdictions, combining local know-how with international expertise to ensure your business thrives across borders .

At Baker McKenzie we are different in the way we think, work and behave. With our team of 13,000 people, including over 6,500 locally admitted lawyers, in over 70 offices worldwide, we have a passionately collaborative community of 60 nationalities and are committed to world-class career development to everyone in every job at every level. Baker McKenzie can offer you both the uncompromising commitment to excellence expected of a top firm paired with a passionately global and genuinely collaborative working environment.

Baker McKenzie is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people - regardless of race, religion or belief if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or age - to fulfill their professional aspirations with us. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates. Should candidates require any reasonable adjustments and/or accommodations when applying to or interviewing with our Firm, please notify [email protected]

Pay Transparency

- The US base compensation for this position is expected to be $4,326.92 (weekly) if located in an office in the state of California
- California notice: Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law, and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, for US-based candidates.