Your Journey Starts Here

We want future colleagues who spend their summers with us to get the full experience of working at DWT. That includes doing complex work for market-leading clients alongside colleagues who care about your interests and who have expertise and insight that can help you learn how to build a practice. It also means joining a community that values excellent work and client service, teamwork, fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture, giving back to our communities, and leading rich personal lives outside the office.

So, what does that actually look like? It’s doing everything from drafting motions and contracts to assisting with pro bono matters to preparing for and attending client meetings, depositions, negotiations, and trials. It’s getting legal and skills training from our practice and industry groups and being paired with mentors based on your particular goals and interests. And it’s getting to know your colleagues at work and beyond, through affinity groups, events like our Summer Associate retreat, and countless conversations over lunch and coffee.

By the end of the summer, you’ll know what it’s like to be a first-year associate at DWT—and a member of our community. Come join us!

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Summer Associate Program

1L Diversity Scholarships

As a 1L Diversity Scholarship recipient, you will receive $15,000 for your second year tuition and expenses and a paid Summer Associate position.

Criteria

Our Diversity Scholarships are open to first-year law students who:

  • Are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive legal profession;
  • Take an entrepreneurial approach to their work and career;
  • Excel in written and oral communication, research, and analysis;
  • Prioritize collaboration, effective use of time, and professional responsibility;
  • Bring creativity and confidence to their work; and
  • Are committed to practicing law after graduating law school in the location for which they are applying.

To Apply

Our online application site for the 1L Diversity Scholarships opens in early December, and the deadline is typically in early January. We will review and interview candidates on a rolling basis. To apply, you must submit your documents online via our application site (we will not accept applications via email). Please make sure your contact information is current and that your voicemail can receive messages. You will need the following documents ready to upload for your application:

  • Current Resume
  • Cover letter (please indicate your connection to the location for which you are applying in the letter and address to Sandra Morriss, Manager, Law Student Talent Acquisition)
  • Personal Statement*
  • Legal writing sample, not heavily edited by a third party (generally 5-10 pages)
  • List of three references (one of whom is qualified to comment on your law school work)
  • Complete undergraduate transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable)
  • Law school transcript for fall term (unofficial copy is acceptable)**

*Your personal statement should help us learn more about you. Topics can vary widely and may include: how diversity is a driving factor for you, how you currently contribute to a diverse community and how you hope to do so in the future, what you would like us to know about you that is not in your resume and cover letter, or how your personal experience shaped your perspective on diversity. Your personal statement should be no more than one page, single-spaced, and 12-point font. Please include your name in the header but do not address your personal statement to anyone.

**If your transcript is not currently available, please submit your application without it. You will receive a follow-up email by mid-January with a link and instructions for submitting it online.

2L Patent Prosecution Diversity Scholarship

As a 2L Patent Prosecution Diversity Scholarship recipient, you will receive a $15,000 for your third year tuition and expenses. You will also work in a paid Summer Associate position with the Patent Prosecution team in our Seattle office.

Criteria

Our 2L Patent Prosecution Diversity Scholarship position is open to second-year law students who:

  • Have a technical background and an interest in patent prosecution;
  • Are patent bar eligible with an electrical engineering, mathematics, or computer science background;
  • Have work experience with electrical and/or software engineering in the software industry (a plus)
  • Are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive legal profession;
  • Take an entrepreneurial approach to their work and career;
  • Excel in written and oral communication, research, and analysis;
  • Prioritize collaboration, effective use of time, and professional responsibility;
  • Bring creativity and confidence to their work;
  • Are committed to practicing in Seattle after law school;

To Apply

Our online application site for the 2L Patent Prosecution Diversity Scholarship position in the Seattle office opens in early June, and your application must be received by 11:59 pm PDT on Sunday July 30, 2023 to be considered. We will review and interview candidates on a rolling basis. To apply, you must submit your documents online via our our application site (we will not accept applications via email). Please make sure your contact information is current and that your voicemail can receive messages. You will need the following documents ready to upload for your application:

  • Current Resume
  • Cover letter (please indicate your connection to Seattle in the letter and address to Sandra Morriss, Manager, Law Student Talent Acquisition)
  • Personal Statement*
  • Legal writing sample, not heavily edited by a third party (generally 5-10 pages)
  • List of three references (one of whom is qualified to comment on your law school work)
  • Complete undergraduate transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable)
  • Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable)

* Your personal statement should help us learn more about you. Topics can vary widely and may include: how diversity is a driving factor for you, how you currently contribute to a diverse community and how you hope to do so in the future, what you would like us to know about you that is not in your resume and cover letter, or how your personal experience shaped your perspective on diversity. Your personal statement should be no more than one page, single-spaced, and 12-point font. Please include your name in the header but do not address your personal statement to anyone.

2L Opportunities/On-Campus Interviews

DWT accepts applications for 2L Summer Associate opportunities during the summer between 1L and 2L year.

OCI & JOB FAIR SCHEDULE

In addition to accepting applications via our website, we will attend the following on-campus interview (OCI) programs and career fairs. Submission deadlines vary by program.

  • Hispanic National Bar Association Virtual Career Fair – June/July 2023
  • Lavender Law Conference and Career Fair – July 24, 2023
  • Lewis & Clark Law School – August 8, 2023
  • Patent Interview Law Program – July 21, 2023
  • Seattle University School of Law – August 1, 2023
  • UC Berkeley School of Law – August 3, 2023
  • UC Law San Francisco – August 2, 2023
  • University of California, Irvine School of Law - July 26, 2023
  • University of Oregon School of Law – August 11, 2023
  • University of Washington School of Law – August 1, 2023
  • Willamette University School of Law – August 9, 2023

Criteria

Our 2L Summer Associate positions are open to law students who:

  • Are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive legal profession;
  • Take an entrepreneurial approach to their work and career;
  • Excel in written and oral communication, research, and analysis;
  • Prioritize collaboration, effective use of time, and professional responsibility;
  • Bring creativity and confidence to their day-to-day work;
  • Will complete their second year of law school prior to joining us; and
  • Are committed to practicing in the location to which they apply after law school.

To Apply

Our online application site for Summer Associate opportunities opens in early June, and your application must be received by 11:59 pm PDT on Sunday, July 30, 2023 to be considered. We will review and interview candidates on a rolling basis. To apply, you must submit your documents online via our application site (we will not accept applications via email). Please make sure your contact information is current and that your voicemail can receive messages. You will need the following documents ready to upload for your application:

  • Current Resume
  • Cover letter (please indicate your connection to the location for which you are applying in the letter and address to Sandra Morriss, Manager, Law Student Talent Acquisition).
  • Legal writing sample, not heavily edited by a third party (generally 5-10 pages)
  • List of three references (one of whom is qualified to comment on your law school work)
  • Complete undergraduate transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable)
  • Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable)

Summer Associate FAQ

Application and Interview Questions

When and how do I apply for a summer associate position?
1Ls: We accept applications for our 1L Diversity Scholarships via our website beginning December 1. Emailed applications are not accepted. The application deadline is usually in early January and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The offices hiring 1Ls vary by year. Check the position listings in late November for availability.

2Ls: We accept applications for 2L Summer Associate positions during June and July 1L summer through our website and via career fairs and On-Campus Interview programs. We are not able to visit every law school for OCI so, if DWT seems to be a good fit for you, we encourage you to apply online (emailed applications are not accepted). Typically half of our summer class is made up of students who have sought us out directly.
Which offices participate in the summer associate programs?
We will have summer associates in many of our offices. Check the Careers page for available opportunities.
When will I hear from DWT after I apply?
It depends on the opportunity, but we strive to notify students regarding their status as soon as possible.

1L: Diversity Scholarship applications are reviewed as we receive them in December and early January but candidates may not be contacted for interviews immediately given holiday schedules. We anticipate 1L Diversity Scholarship interviews will take place in January though some initial interviews could be conducted earlier.

2L: Summer Associate applications are reviewed in June and July, and we typically begin initial interviews in July with second round “callback” interviews beginning in late July/early August. The Hiring Committee makes every effort to contact candidates soon after the callback interview. The committee meets on a regular basis during the recruitment season, but because we have a high volume of applicants, the wait time can be up to three weeks during interview season. If you have completed the second round of interviews, we welcome periodic check-ins on the status of your candidacy. We strongly encourage you to keep us informed of any timelines for offers you may receive while you are being considered by us.
What are you looking for in a summer associate candidate?
We seek law students who are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive legal profession. Our culture is special, and we want to find the next generation of lawyers who will carry on our commitment to fostering a firm environment that reflects what we value. We want people who will be active in our communities, both inside and outside of the firm. We value the ability to bring creativity and unique ideas to your work while taking an entrepreneurial approach to your career. We believe students who excel in written and oral communication and prioritize collaboration and professional responsibility will be successful. If you are someone who can learn and bounce back from your mistakes and value thoughtful feedback, DWT is the right place for you.
How does the interview process work?
  • Initial: A candidate will meet with one or two people via video and the meeting will take up to an hour.
  • Callbacks/Second round: We conduct second round interviews by video or in person and this usually involves meeting with 6-8 of our attorneys. Interviews may last up to 4 hours in length with a few breaks in between.
What should I wear to my interviews?
The dress code for interviews is business professional though attorneys with whom you meet may be dressed more casually. Once you are a summer associate, we adhere to business casual.
If I am selected for a Diversity Scholarship, when will I receive the award?
Diversity scholarships are issued at the end of your summer commitment with us.

Summer Program Questions

What is the length of the summer program?
The summer program is typically 10 weeks and runs from June to August. Exact start and end dates will be shared with the summer class in the spring.
Can I split my summer with another firm?
In order to give you the best possible summer experience, we do not recommend splitting your summer with another firm.
What kind of work will I receive?
We do not have a rotation system to distribute projects. You are able to take any work that is available in your office. We pride ourselves on offering you opportunities that give a real glimpse of what it is like to practice at DWT. Typical assignments available for pick up through our work allocation system or directly from attorneys include researching legal issues, drafting memoranda containing legal analysis, drafting legal documents (motions, briefs, contracts, etc.), and assisting with pro bono projects. When available, you can also assist with and attend client meetings, hearings, depositions, negotiations, and trials.
Will I have a mentor, legal assistant and an office?
We will assign an associate mentor, a partner mentor, and a legal assistant to you over the summer. You will also have an office or dedicated workspace. Some of our locations are nearing capacity, so we ask for your flexibility as we may need to reserve temporary office space for you during the summer.
What kind of training will there be?
The training you will receive through the Summer Associate Program will be impactful. You will gain exposure to each practice group, attend litigation writing and transactional drafting seminars. In addition to having access to these sessions, your mentors and the attorneys serving as Summer Associate Program Coordinators are available to you. Summer associates are invited to attend various training programs delivered by our Professional Development department and training and meetings hosted by the practice and industry groups. And of course, you will also earn a great deal of on-the-job training by collaborating in small client teams doing real work and getting real feedback.
What kind of summer associate events do you offer?
Each summer, we host all of the firm’s summer associates in Seattle for a Summer Associate Retreat during which we introduce you to firm leaders, give you space to engage with your new colleagues and build community through dinners, receptions and more. Social events outside of the retreat vary by office and have included trivia nights, walking tours, bowling, sailing, baseball games, group dinners, karaoke, concerts, meet & greets, cooking classes, and lots of coffee chats. Many of our events are inspired by our summer associates. We ask for suggestions from the incoming summer class before event planning begins each year.

Job Opportunities