Summer Associate

Summer Associate Program Applications for our 2027 Summer Program are now closed. To be notified when applications for second year law students for Summer 2028 open in New York, Washington, DC, and San Francisco: Click Here Our summer associate program is focused on providing the best possible start to your career.

Experience life as a first-year associate by becoming part of a team on active assignments. We'll provide you with opportunities to grow and develop by leveraging meaningful training and direct mentorship. Why Choose Debevoise Exceptional Lawyering A "best-in-class" group with a "truly international practice." – Chambers Global "Debevoise & Plimpton has for years demonstrated its ability to juggle a host of complex matters across multiple countries." – Global Investigations Review 100 45% of Debevoise lawyers promoted to partner since 2016 have been women.

Debevoise Community Debevoise is a community of engaging and creative lawyers. We place a high value on character and diverse interests and draw on the strength of our collaborative culture to deliver the best of our firm to every client. The firm's work spans the full range of general corporate, transactional, tax and regulatory representations and complex litigation matters in the United States and around the world.

Firm Values Debevoise lawyers act with integrity in our dealings with clients, one another and our community. Inclusion Debevoise's top priority has always been to provide the best legal service to our clients. Our ability to respond to the needs of our clients in an increasingly open and global environment requires that our community members possess a broad range of skills and experiences.

We recognize that inclusion is a cornerstone of our continued success. Women at Debevoise We have earned a reputation for the strength of our women lawyers and the development of several generations of women leaders at the firm. In 2016, the firm launched the Debevoise Women's Review, a platform dedicated to spotlighting topics of interest to professional women, recognizing the achievements, initiatives and advocacy efforts of women and organizations around the world.

Pro Bono Debevoise's pro bono legal service reflects our commitment to the communities in which we live and work and is fundamental to who we are as lawyers. Leadership in the Profession Our strong record of leadership in the profession and our commitment to public service has been integral to our firm culture since Debevoise's founding in 1931. "It is very client-centric and very commercial; it has a one-team mentality." – Chambers USA Summer Associate Program Details Work Assignments Summer associates are involved in meaningful client work from the outset, from mergers and acquisitions transactions (both domestic and cross-border) to international arbitrations to initial public offerings. We find that the interests of many summer associates evolve as they are exposed to different practice areas through work assignments, training programs and discussions with their colleagues.

Our summer program offers the flexibility to explore different practice areas, or focus on just one. Throughout the summer, there are opportunities for formal evaluations and informal feedback. Training and Development Summer associates are invited to attend all department and practice lunches alongside Debevoise lawyers and participate in firm training programs.

At department and practice lunches, lawyers discuss substantive developments and exchange insights about issues affecting clients in their respective practices. Examples of training programs include the fundamentals of negotiation (including a series of simulated negotiations and discussion), a course on developing a core theory of a litigation, a workshop on effective legal writing and a "Private Equity Funds 101" program. Advisor Program You will be assigned both a partner advisor and an associate advisor during your summer at Debevoise.

Their role is to serve as a resource as you gain insights into different practice areas, getting to know the Debevoise community and navigating the firm—by taking you to lunch, introducing you to other lawyers and staff, pointing you to firm resources and answering your questions. You will also be given informal feedback on a continuous basis in addition to a formal evaluation process at mid and end of summer. Orientation During summer orientation, we will introduce you to the firm – to Debevoise partners, counsel and associates, your fellow summer associates and the practice of law.

Summer associates have opportunities to bond with their class during orientation activities. Firm leaders will also share how the firm's values are embodied in how we serve our clients and work with each other. Orientation offers information about our diversity and pro bono programs, and the opportunities for summer associates to get involved.

Social Events The summer experience is meant to be fun and engaging, in addition to providing a challenging learning experience. Organized social events introduce summer associates to New York, to each other and to lawyers within the firm. Past summer events have included cooking classes, trivia night and a private outing at the Central Park Zoo.

This summer, our events included a Mixtape Bingo night, painting class, indoor mini golf and Yankees and Mets games. Pro Bono In 2025, 96% of Debevoise summer associates worked on pro bono assignments, many of which provided drafting and client counseling experience. Summer associates can participate in a wide variety of challenging and high-impact pro bono matters with leading legal service organizations, including The Legal Aid Society, Sanctuary for Families, Human Rights First, Immigration Equality and Start Small Think Big.

Opportunities include corporate projects for not-for-profit organizations, stand-up experience in family l