A summer associate job is an intern opportunity in which you can gain practical experience and learn the skills of your trade. Industries from construction to entertainment offer summer associate jobs, but the legal industry is the most common for summer associate jobs. As a law student, you can find summer associate jobs after your first and second years of law school. Your job duties as a legal summer associate include drafting motions and other legal documents, practicing in mock trials, observing or performing litigation alongside an experienced lawyer in court, and conducting legal research.