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Summer Legal Associate Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

The program pairs law students with experienced attorney mentors and introduces students to a wide range of litigation and transactional legal work. Our summer associates receive hands-on experience ...

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Summer Legal Associate information

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$7

$27

$57

How much do summer legal associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for summer legal associate in Ohio is $27.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $31.97 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of projects or cases do summer legal associates typically work on, and how is their work supervised?

Summer Legal Associates usually assist with a range of projects such as legal research, drafting memoranda, preparing case briefs, and sometimes attending client meetings or court proceedings. Their work is supervised by experienced attorneys or partners, who provide guidance, feedback, and mentorship. Associates often rotate between different practice groups to gain exposure to various areas of law and to collaborate with multiple team members. This structure offers a comprehensive learning experience and insight into potential career paths within the firm.

What is a summer legal associate?

Summer Legal Associates are law students who work temporarily, typically during the summer, at law firms, corporate legal departments, or government agencies. They gain practical legal experience by assisting with research, drafting documents, attending client meetings, and observing court proceedings. This position offers students an opportunity to develop legal skills, network with professionals, and often serves as a pathway to full-time employment after graduation. Most summer legal associate positions are highly competitive and require excellent academic credentials.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a summer legal associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Summer Legal Associate, you need strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills, often supported by completion of at least one year of law school. Familiarity with legal research platforms like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and proficiency in Microsoft Office, are typically required. Initiative, attention to detail, and effective communication help you stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are vital for producing high-quality legal work, meeting deadlines, and contributing effectively to a legal team.

What does a summer legal associate do?

As a summer legal associate, you work as an intern at a law firm during the summer season. A law firm typically operates a summer associate program for law students. During a summer associate program, your duties may include assisting lawyers as they provide legal services, prepare for litigation, undertake negotiations, meet with clients, or perform research to prepare for a hearing or trial. Your responsibilities as a summer associate vary depending on the needs of the lawyer with whom you work. Most programs provide interns with feedback about their performance.

What is the difference between Summer Legal Associate vs Summer Legal Intern?

AspectSummer Legal AssociateSummer Legal Intern
CredentialsLaw students in 2L or 3L years, often with some coursework completedTypically law students in early years or pre-law students
Work EnvironmentMore integrated into legal teams, handling substantive tasksSupport roles, assisting with research and administrative tasks
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agenciesCommonly used interchangeably with Summer Legal Associate, but often less formal

The Summer Legal Associate role generally involves more advanced legal work and greater responsibility compared to a Summer Legal Intern. Interns often focus on supporting tasks, while Associates are more integrated into legal teams, gaining hands-on experience in legal research, drafting, and client interaction.

What are the most commonly searched types of Summer Legal jobs in Ohio? The most popular types of Summer Legal jobs in Ohio are:
What are popular job titles related to Summer Legal Associate jobs in Ohio? For Summer Legal Associate jobs in Ohio, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Summer Legal Associate jobs in Ohio look for? The top searched job categories for Summer Legal Associate jobs in Ohio are:
What cities in Ohio are hiring for Summer Legal Associate jobs? Cities in Ohio with the most Summer Legal Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Summer Legal Associate job openings in Ohio as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,353 per year, or $27.6 per hour.

2027 2L Summer Associate (Cleveland, OH)

Ogletree Deakins

Cleveland, OH • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

Position Summary
Ogletree Deakins is seeking second-year law students for our 2027 summer associate program in the Cleveland, OH office. Students will gain substantial experience in all types of employment-related legal matters during our 10-week summer program.
Summer Associates at Ogletree receive mentorship from attorneys across the firm, collaborate with other Summer Associates on projects, and attend office and firm-wide social events. Each Summer Associate is assigned a Supervising Shareholder and Associate Mentor in their respective offices and one-on-one support and coaching from the Attorney Development and Recruiting and Retention departments. Summer Associates participate in a robust development program called JD to OD. Presented by firm experts, JD to OD equips Summer Associates with foundational skills and knowledge on a variety of topics such as technology and the use of AI, communication best practices, legal writing, and time entry. By the end of JD to OD, Summer Associates are prepared to excel at OD, immediately contribute to their local offices, and shape their future legal careers.
Essential Functions
  • Research projects.
  • Drafting written discovery requests and responses, motions, legal correspondence, and preparing legal updates.
  • Observation and participation in strategic planning for depositions, mediations, hearings, arbitrations, and trials.
  • Participation in witness interviews and client meetings.
  • Wide variety of other assignments.

Requirements
  • Participation in extracurricular activities highlighting leadership skills, commitment, and time management.
  • Class standing in the top 1/3
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to work well with others and independently.
  • Demonstrated entrepreneurial mindset.
  • Interest in pursuing a career in management-side labor and employment law upon graduation from law school.
  • Undergraduate Degree that demonstrates academic excellence and critical thinking ability.

Benefits
Ogletree Deakins offers a robust suite of benefits for our Staff including: Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Leave, a 401(k) matching program, Profit Sharing, Paid Holidays, Paid Parental Leave, affordable Health and Life Insurance including Dental & Vision coverage, Health Savings Account /Flexible Spending Accounts to help offset the cost of dependent care and/or health care expenses, Tuition Reimbursement and an Employee Assistance Program.
Contact Information
If you have questions, please e-mail Katherine Manus at katherine.manus@ogletree.com with "2027 2L Summer Associate" in the subject line. Please note, applications submitted via e-mail will not be considered.
Firm Overview
Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. Best Law Firms® has named Ogletree Deakins a "Law Firm of the Year" for 14 consecutive years. In the 2025 edition, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its "Law Firm of the Year" in the Litigation - Labor and Employment category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 1,100 attorneys located in 60 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, including many of the Fortune 50 companies in the U.S.
We are fully committed to the importance of diversity within the legal profession, as well as all workplace environments.
Equal Opportunity Employer.