Law Students
Overview
Please select an open position below to apply online.
Faegre Drinker was founded on core values of integrity, excellence, diversity and inclusion, shared commitment, teamwork and collaboration, mutual respect and service to others. Our culture is firmly rooted in relentless client focus and mutual trust that empowers collaboration. We are committed to our communities and to building a diverse and inclusive firm that reflects those communities and our clients.
What We Offer
Engaging work and supportive mentors make Faegre Drinker an ideal first – and hopefully last – place for law students to work. Beginning with our summer associate program, we provide support and training to help law students and new lawyers build the skills and behaviors to grow a sophisticated legal practice and develop rewarding client relationships.
Who We’re Seeking
Law students who have strong academic records, entrepreneurial spirits, diverse perspectives and collaborative mindsets will find opportunities to succeed and eventually develop into successful partners or long-term contributors with national reputations.
How You’ll Grow
Summer associates receive a hands-on, meaningful experience. We encourage your growth with challenging work, intensive professional development programs, personalized mentoring and coaching, and respectful yet candid feedback. You’ll be able to participate in pro bono work and connect with peers and our lawyers throughout the summer.
When and Where to Join Us
Our summer program will begin in May and is available in many of our U.S. offices. Programs include our Chicago, Dallas, Des Moines, Denver, Florham Park, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., offices. Our needs in each office vary so please be sure to check out our job openings for a list of offices seeking summer associates for this coming summer.
Career Development
Jumpstarting Your Practice
New associates participate in a firmwide orientation program to integrate into the firm and understand law firm life. In addition to covering benefits and technology, we hold interactive programs and panel discussions on topics such as the basics of lawyering and working with support professionals, so you can hit the ground running.
Building Your Career
We provide training on topics critical to success in today’s legal environment, including:- Practice and technical skill proficiency
- Development of behavioral competencies
- Understanding the business of operating a law firm
- Business development
- Client service
Mentoring for Success
We connect each associate with an advisor who focuses on career development and planning. Associates actively participate in their career planning by communicating practice goals and objectives. By collaborating closely with senior lawyers on legal work, associates experience valuable coaching.
Growing Through Feedback
Associates receive ongoing feedback from supervising lawyers so they can continually improve. Through our formal evaluation process, new lawyers are evaluated mid-year during their first year, and all lawyers are reviewed annually. Evaluations include a self-assessment, individual and group evaluations, and an in-person evaluation meeting with the lawyer's practice group.Community
Diversity & Inclusion
At Faegre Drinker, we promote a culture of diversity and inclusion. Through our commitment to progress and innovation on diversity and inclusion, Faegre Drinker is equipped to better understand the needs and objectives of our clients and communities. And by promoting the perspectives of professionals that span all dimensions of diversity, we create an inclusive workplace for our employees that helps address underrepresentation in the legal profession and fosters an environment of creativity, innovation and mutual respect.
Connected to the Community
Pro bono is part of who we are and what we do at Faegre Drinker, every day. Throughout our history, Faegre Drinker attorneys and staff have fought for the causes that appeal to their sense of justice and are important to our communities. Since 2015, we have devoted more than 230,000 hours to pro bono work, providing legal counsel, courtroom advocacy and skilled representation to a host of pro bono causes and clients.
Commitment to Justice & Equity
Together, we provided nearly 65,000 hours of pro bono service last year, working to ensure access to justice for all and making a positive difference in our communities.
Law firms are uniquely positioned to analyze and advocate to change laws and policies encouraging, perpetuating or allowing racial injustice, and much of our pro bono practice indirectly addresses the consequences of structural racism.
Core areas of pro bono focus include:
- Civil rights
- Voting rights
- Criminal justice
- Reentry and second chances
- Housing
Faegre Drinker Women
Faegre Drinker has been recognized as a top law firm for women. We are committed to supporting the recruitment, retention, advancement and leadership development of the firm’s women professionals by:
- Building connections
- Facilitating business and client development opportunities
- Benchmarking progress
- Collaborating on policies
- Offering training and other development programs
Rankings & Awards
We are a high-performance culture at Faegre Drinker. View our Rankings & Awards.
What Our Summer Associates Say
Inclusive Environment
"Having gone through Faegre Drinker's summer associate program for two summers, I can say with confidence that Faegre Drinker is truly committed to diversity. Over half of my fellow summer associates this past summer were diverse. To see underrepresented individuals represented at a top law firm was astounding to me. But beyond statistics, everyone at the firm is treated with kindness, respect and curiosity. I felt comfortable being myself and forming friendships with colleagues. That is more than what many people (including me) can say about other places they've worked at."
Aaron Shi (Indiana University Maurer School of Law), 2022/2023 Summer Associate, 2024 First-Year Associate, Indianapolis
Excellence Without Arrogance
"My experience as a returning summer associate exceeded my expectations. I was exposed to new areas of law, such as insurance, and created work product that was used in real client matters. I also received meaningful pro bono opportunities, including conducting research for the Poverty and Race Research Action Council to advocate for increased housing protections. Lastly, the connections I built while at the firm are invaluable. Faegre Drinker attorneys care about their summer associates and treat them as equals. They also provide incredible mentorship and advice that I will take with me throughout my legal career. I am very thankful to the firm and have nothing but positive things to say about my time here."
Marissa Catalano, (Rutgers University School of Law-Newark), 2022/2023 Summer Associate, 2024 First-Year Associate, Florham Park
Supportive Culture
"Faegre Drinker is an ideal — and hopefully permanent — place for law students to work. This quote on the firm’s recruitment website distinguished Faegre Drinker from all other firms I applied to. ‘From the first minute of stepping into the office during the summer program, everybody’s main focus was to make you feel valued and at home.’ At all times, I had a mentor I could consult with about work, career development and personal development. Attorneys from all offices understood the value of developing the future of the firm, and they went out of their way to ensure we would become better versions of ourselves. In the span of 10 weeks, I became a better writer, analyzer and fellow (future) lawyer. I felt like I was learning simultaneously with all the outstanding attorneys at Faegre Drinker. At no point did I feel like I was working for others. I was working with others."
Patton Lu, (Fordham University School of Law) 2022/2023 Summer Associate, 2024 First-Year Associate, New York
Professional Development
"I had the good fortune of spending two summers with Faegre Drinker. The summer associate experience proved to be a pivotal decision in my law school journey, both for my future career goals and for my development in law school. Faegre Drinker provided a safe space to put all that I'd learned into practice under actual time restraints and under supervision that was genuinely concerned with honing my skills and enlarging my capacity. I returned to school after each summer a stronger, more confident student aware of my strengths and weaknesses. The summer associate experience exposed me to all aspects of firm life and introduced and enforced habits that will benefit me for many years. I am grateful for the opportunity and am better for having been a part of Faegre Drinker."
Kirsten Mason-Jones, (Rutgers University School of Law-Newark) 2022/2023 Summer Associate, 2024 First-Year Associate, Florham Park
Diverse Perspectives
"Participating in Faegre Drinker’s summer program was truly a transformative experience that I am excited to return to this coming summer. I had the privilege of working with a diverse group of talented people who not only provided invaluable guidance but also gave me a sense of belonging. I was so impressed by the firm's commitment to fostering a welcoming environment that celebrates people of all backgrounds and perspectives. The diversity program did a fantastic job of creating a supportive community that I knew I could turn to when faced with challenges that uniquely affect people of color in the legal profession. If you are a law student seeking an enriching and rewarding opportunity, I highly encourage you to apply."
Tristan Verghese, (University of Iowa College of Law) 2023/2024 Summer Associate, Denver
Challenging Work
"My summer at Faegre Drinker was an exceptionally valuable learning experience. I came into the summer with an interest in becoming a better writer, while also knowing I needed to learn more about the ins and outs of litigation before jumping into legal practice. Luckily, my work assignments ran the gamut in terms of style and substance — from writing lengthy research memos on complex evidentiary issues to quickly drafting subpoenas in accordance with local and federal procedures. Partners and associates across the firm — even beyond the Philadelphia office — were always available to answer questions, making the work accessible and manageable even at its most challenging points. I’m excited to become an even stronger writer and critical thinker with their support next year when I join Faegre Drinker!"
Asher Young, (Temple University Beasley School of Law) 2023 Summer Associate, 2024 First-Year Associate, DC
Mentorship & Support
"The attorneys at Faegre Drinker made me feel supported as soon as I set foot in the office. Every day, both partners and associates would stop by my office to offer advice or a listening ear. Whenever I worked with an attorney on a project, the attorney promptly sent me feedback on my work and took the time to meet with me and discuss how I could improve. I could tell that everyone was invested not only in my growth and success, but also in my well-being. I connected with attorneys about our shared interests outside of work, like rock climbing, espresso and IU sports. As the summer went on, I knew the attorneys at Faegre Drinker were the people who would help me build my practice. I am thrilled to be joining the Faegre Drinker team in Indianapolis."
Amani Khoury (Indiana University Maurer School of Law), 2023 Summer Associate, 2024 First-Year Associate, Indianapolis
Recruitment Contacts
| Firm-Wide Contact | |
|---|---|
 |
Dyana Barninger Senior Director of Lawyer & Consultant Recruiting dyana.barninger@faegredrinker.com |
| Summer Program Contacts | |
 |
Emily Coveyou Associate Recruiting Manager Des Moines, Minneapolis emily.coveyou@faegredrinker.com |
|
Frannie De Simone Associate Recruiting Manager Florham Park, New York frannie.desimone@faegredrinker.com |
|
Lauren Murray Associate Recruiting Manager Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. lauren.murray@faegredrinker.com |
 |
Sarah Nestle Associate Recruiting Manager Fort Wayne, Indianapolis sarah.nestle@faegredrinker.com |
 |
Nadine Ott Associate Recruiting Manager Chicago, Dallas nadine.ott@faegredrinker.com |
 |
Elane Swanick Senior Associate Recruiting Manager Denver, Los Angeles elane.swanick@faegredrinker.com |