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Summer Clerkship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Profit Center

Summer Clerkship Program

Charleston, SC · On-site

Our summer clerks are highly motivated second-year law students who are interested in beginning careers in complex litigation. The firm prefers that all applicants be in the top 20% of their class.

CAIR

Law Clerkship

Santa Clara, CA

Hours for an academic term clerkship are 15 hours per week for a Fall or Spring clerkship and 30-35 hours for a Summer clerkship. CAIR-SFBA currently operates a hybrid schedule and requires clerks to ...

Earthjustice

2027 Oceans Clerkship

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$1.3K/wk

Summer clerks will work on a mix of international and domestic ocean matters. ABOUT US Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental ...

Earthjustice

2027 Oceans Clerkship

Seattle, WA · On-site

Summer clerks will work on a mix of international and domestic ocean matters. ABOUT US Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental ...

Earthjustice

2027 Oceans Clerkship

San Francisco, CA

$1.3K/wk

Summer clerks will work on a mix of international and domestic ocean matters. ABOUT US Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental ...

Earthjustice

2027 Oceans Clerkship

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Summer clerks will work on a mix of international and domestic ocean matters. ABOUT US Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental ...

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Summer Clerkship information

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$36K

$141.7K

$193K

How much do summer clerkship jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for summer clerkship in the United States is $141,717.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,500.00 and $171,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a summer clerkship?

Summer clerkships are temporary positions, typically offered by law firms, government agencies, or judges, that provide law students with practical legal experience during the summer months. These programs allow students to work on real cases, conduct legal research, and gain insight into the day-to-day workings of legal practice. Summer clerkships are often used as a recruitment tool, with successful clerks sometimes receiving offers for full-time employment after graduation. They also help students build professional networks and enhance their resumes.

What types of projects and tasks can I expect to work on during a summer clerkship?

During a Summer Clerkship at a law firm, you can expect to be involved in a variety of tasks such as conducting legal research, drafting memos and documents, attending client meetings or court proceedings, and supporting attorneys with case preparation. Clerks usually rotate through different practice groups, giving you exposure to diverse areas like litigation, corporate law, or real estate. The work is often fast-paced and collaborative, providing opportunities to develop practical skills while working closely with associates and partners. This experience is designed to give you a realistic sense of what full-time legal practice entails and to help you build valuable professional relationships.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a summer clerk?

To thrive as a Summer Clerk, you need strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills, typically backed by completion of at least one year of law school. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis and proficiency in Microsoft Office are commonly required. Excellent communication, time management, and attention to detail are essential soft skills for collaborating with attorneys and managing multiple assignments. These abilities ensure Summer Clerks can effectively support legal teams, produce high-quality work, and gain valuable practical experience.

What is the difference between Summer Clerkship vs Legal Intern?

AspectSummer ClerkshipLegal Intern
Required CredentialsTypically law students in their 2nd or 3rd yearLaw students or recent graduates
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, courts, government agencies during summerLaw firms, legal departments, courts, internships
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in legal industry for experiential learningUsed for gaining legal experience, often in same settings

Both Summer Clerkships and Legal Internships provide law students with practical legal experience during summer breaks. Clerkships often involve more formal, structured programs with a focus on observing court proceedings and legal research, while internships may include a broader range of tasks like document review and client interaction. Both roles serve as valuable stepping stones toward a legal career.

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Summer Clerkship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Summer Clerkship job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 26% Full Time, 64% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 7% Contract, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,717 per year, or $68.1 per hour.

2026 Summer Clerkship Program

Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner P.A.

San Jose, CA

Temporary

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

2026 Summer Clerkship Program – Minneapolis and San Jose

The firm is seeking current law students for its summer clerkship program. 
Our summer clerkship program provides aspiring patent attorneys with a thorough exposure to the profession. Summer clerks work under the mentorship of our attorneys to assist with a variety of client projects related to patent prosecution. These projects may include preparation of responses to office actions, preparation of patent applications, conducting searches for prior art, and preparing appeal briefs. 

We work with our clients in a variety of technologies, and we hope to provide our summer clerks with experience in a technology area that closely matches both their technical background and their interests. We also seek to provide summer clerks with exposure to client interactions, such as attending meetings and participating in teleconferences with clients, where appropriate.

Qualifications: 
Applicants should be current law students and have a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering. Equivalent degrees will be considered. Advanced degrees are a plus.

Technical work experience is highly valued, especially industry experience in designing, developing, testing, or supporting software, hardware, or networking technologies.

Applicants should be interested in patent law, as shown by coursework or legal experience. An ideal applicant is able to demonstrate a strong interest in patent prosecution specifically. Candidates who are registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office are encouraged to apply.

Format:
The summer clerkship program operates during the summer months of June through August, with a formal program typically during June and July. To accommodate different academic calendars at different law schools, the start and completion dates for each summer clerkship can be individually customized to support the goals of the firm and the clerk.

Application Process:
Qualified law students may apply at any time, up to one year prior to their particular desired summer clerkship program. Applicants interested in clerking during summer of 2026 are encouraged to apply early, by October 1, 2025, due to the large number of applicants interested in summertime clerkships.

To apply, please use our online form to submit a resume, a cover letter, an undergraduate transcript, a law school transcript, office location preference, and a writing sample, preferably related to patents. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for this initial submission.

Duties at SLW may involve exposure to technical information that may be subject to U.S. Export Control laws. Therefore, proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (“green card”) status may be required before consideration for a position at SLW. 

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