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Summer Legal Associate Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Politico

Legal Externship

Rosslyn, VA

POLITICO is seeking legal externs to join our in-house legal team and is building a year-round talent pipeline for seasonal placements during the fall, winter, spring, and summer terms Legal Externs ...

WilmerHale

Director, Legal Recruitment

Washington, DC · On-site

Leads, supervises, develops, and trains legal recruitment managers, coordinators, and assistants ... Summer Associate Program/ Law School and Judicial Clerk Recruitment * Proposes and implements ...

Wilmerhale

Legal Recruitment Manager

Washington, DC

Summer Associate Program * In collaboration with the Legal Recruitment Department, successfully designs, manages and evaluates all aspects of the firm's Summer Associate Program including, pre ...

WilmerHale

Legal Recruitment Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

Summer Associate Program * In collaboration with the Legal Recruitment Department, successfully designs, manages and evaluates all aspects of the firm's Summer Associate Program including, pre ...

WilmerHale

Legal Recruitment Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

Summer Associate Program * In collaboration with the Legal Recruitment Department, successfully designs, manages and evaluates all aspects of the firm's Summer Associate Program including, pre ...

Thinkbrg

2027 Summer Associate (Intern)

Washington, DC

$17 - $22.75/hr

You willbuild technical skillsand contribute to work that shapes important legal and business outcomes. The Summer Associate program will be approximately 8 weeks long and begin in Summer 2027. We're ...

Staffworks CNY

Legal Recruiting Manager

Alexandria, VA · On-site

If you are a highly talented Legal Recruiting Manager, we want to hear from you! Our client is a ... You will develop and manage a summer associate program, including a budget, social and training ...

Akin

Legal Secretary

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$80K - $100K/yr

Legal Secretaries are expected to perform all job duties with a commitment to providing superior ... Provide secretarial assistance to visitors, summer associates and attorneys whose secretaries are ...

Akin Gump

Legal Secretary

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$80K - $100K/yr

Legal Secretaries are expected to perform all job duties with a commitment to providing superior ... Provide secretarial assistance to visitors, summer associates and attorneys whose secretaries are ...

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All JobsSummer Legal Associate JobsSummer Legal Associate Jobs in Reston, VA

Summer Legal Associate information

See Reston, VA salary details

$8

$30

$62

How much do summer legal associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for summer legal associate in Reston, VA is $30.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.00 and $35.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 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.

More about Summer Legal Associate jobs

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Cities near Reston, VA with the most Summer Legal Associate job openings:

Summer Legal Associate jobs near you

2027 Strategic Legal Advocacy Clerkship

Earthjustice

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

STRATEGIC LEGAL ADVOCACY
The Strategic Legal Advocacy team identifies and addresses cross-cutting changes in judicial doctrines that affect our clients’ ability to vindicate their rights. These include legal doctrines affecting justiciability, jurisdiction, the scope of federal power, and judicial review of agency actions. The team serves as a resource within Earthjustice by providing assistance on novel or difficult legal issues that arise in our litigation, with a focus on cases that could have far-reaching effects, including those that may reach the Supreme Court. The team engages with the broader environmental and progressive legal communities, including assisting with strategic coordination between organizations, coordinating and hosting continuing legal education programming and webinars, and serving as a consultant or co-counsel. The team also prepares a biweekly bulletin summarizing significant legal developments across state and federal courts.
Learn more about the Strategic Legal Advocacy team's work.
 
ABOUT US 
Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting  environmental protections. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; preserve magnificent places and wildlife; advance clean energy; and combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups and supporters to take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country and have a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer. 
  
We welcome all interested law students from across the country to apply for a summer law clerk position.  We expect that students will work proximate to or in an office where the program is located. 
  
RESPONSIBILITIES 
Summer Law Clerks will have the opportunity to work with several attorneys on case development and litigation strategy. Students may draft pleadings and briefs, do legal research, develop strategy and legal theories, gather evidence, and attend client meetings and court proceedings. Earthjustice’s summer law clerk program also includes various programmatic offerings, such as in-person and virtual seminars with attorneys and guest speakers on current environmental issues, interactions with other local and regional environmental groups, and a job interview workshop.  
  
COMPENSATION 
Earthjustice summer law clerkships are paid positions. The total stipend amount will be dependent on any external funding a student secures, such as through their law school’s summer funding program. Earthjustice will provide a one-time stipend at the start of the clerkship in the amount of $1,382.00 per week, minus the total amount received from any other sources and applicable taxes. The summer law clerkship is designed to be 10 weeks long at full-time hours (37.5 hours/week).  
  
You are welcome to pursue outside funding. The ability to secure outside funding will not be considered as part of the hiring process.  
  
HOW TO APPLY 
Eligibility: Candidates must be enrolled in a U.S. law school through fall 2027 (i.e., not graduating before December 2027) and be available to commit ten weeks during summer 2027. Summer law clerks must work from the U.S. during their clerkship.  
  
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit their complete application via Jobvite by September 7, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  
  
Each Earthjustice litigation team participates in clerk hiring; candidates may submit applications to whichever and however many litigation teams they are interested. Please be prepared to respond to our  September follow-up e-mail, requesting your ranked choice of the teams for which you have applied. Do not include such rankings within your Jobvite application. 
 
Application Materials Requested:  
  • Resume. 
  • Cover letter that addresses:  
    • (1) relevant aspects of your background that are not apparent or fully explained in your resume; 
    • (2) why you are drawn to Earthjustice’s mission and the litigation teams for which you are applying; and 
    • (3) whether there are particular environmental or public interest issues that inspire you. 
  • Additional documents (select “Add Files” in Jobvite): 
    • (1) A recent legal writing sample of no more than 10 pages that primarily reflects your work. Please include a cover page indicating the extent to which your writing sample reflects edits and feedback from others.  
    • (2) Unofficial transcript. 
  • Finalists will be asked to submit two references; these may be law school faculty or legal professional, clinical, or volunteer supervisors. 
 
RESOURCES  
While identical applications for each team will be considered, we recommend tailoring your cover letter to describe why you are interested in that specific team. Additional information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/hiring-process.   
  
If you experience any technical difficulties or require any accommodations throughout the hiring process, please contact us at jobs@earthjustice.org. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies. 
 
#LI-Hybrid