Law Students
Summer Associates
Summer Associate Program
Varnum’s Summer Associate Program is designed to provide law students with meaningful work, direct access to attorneys, and a clear view of what it’s like to build a career here.
The Summer Associate Program application is closed at this time.
Why the Summer Associate Program?
Our Summer Associates work closely with attorneys across the firm and are encouraged to take ownership of assignments while building the prioritization and time-management skills the practice demands. The program combines substantive experience, structured professional development, and a summer calendar that helps you get to know our people and our offices.
Who Should Apply?
We’re looking for students who want hands-on legal experience, value collaboration and mentorship, and are committed to serving their communities during their 2L summer.
Note: We also welcome students who are interested in advancing diversity and practicing law in Michigan to apply for a 1L summer position through our 1Elevate Diversity Fellowship.
Program Qualifications
- Locations: Positions available in Grand Rapids, Southeast Michigan, and Naples, Florida.
- Class year eligibility: Open to 2L students.
- Commitment to community and professional responsibility: We seek candidates who share the firm’s dedication to community leadership and service.
- Interest in a collaborative environment: Summer Associates work directly with assigned attorneys and mentors throughout the summer.
Application Requirements
Varnum’s 2027 Summer Associate Program application is closed at this time.
- Resume
- Current law school transcript
- Undergraduate transcript
- Brief cover letter
The Summer Associate Experience
- Program length and timing: The program is 10 weeks and generally runs from mid-May to the end of July.
- Meaningful work: Summer Associates typically receive assignments directly from assigning attorneys and are encouraged to seek out projects independently. Past opportunities include observing trials, hearings, depositions and negotiations, and attending client and practice team meetings.
- Professional development and feedback: Each Summer Associate is assigned two mentors. Summer Associates also receive informal feedback throughout the summer, plus mid-summer and end-of-summer evaluations focused on performance, practice interests, and development goals.
- Training opportunities: The program includes orientation, mentoring, access to associate development and firmwide training, and weekly professional development sessions. Topics can include practice-team training, MiSpringboard program overview, business development training, and an opportunity to spend time with firm management.
- Offices: Summer Associates are hosted in Grand Rapids and Southeast Michigan offices. Southeast Michigan Summer Associates rotate between our Ann Arbor, Birmingham, and Novi offices.
- Social activities: The program includes events across locations, such as sporting events, cooking classes, client-site visits, community service opportunities, cultural events, golf outings, rafting trips, and small group dinners with attorneys.
Selection Process
Our selection process typically includes:
- Initial interview: On-campus interviews or a virtual screening interview.
- Callback interview: An in-office callback that usually includes a series of 25-minute interview sessions with attorneys, totaling approximately two hours.
FAQ
-
We typically hire between 8–12 Summer Associates, including one first-year law student as a part of the 1Elevate Diversity Fellowship.
-
Split summers are considered on a case-by-case basis. We generally discourage splitting the summer because it compromises the quality of your summer associate experience.
-
The number of anticipated entry-level attorney openings varies each year, but applications are always welcome. Please submit your materials through the general application.
Key Contact
Monica L. Vazquez
- Senior Director of Talent
- mlvazquez@varnumlaw.com
- 616/336-6137