Summer Associates Overview
Our Summer Associate Program gives law students an opportunity to learn about different career options while exposing them to the day-to-day life of practicing law.
The duration is flexible, not to exceed 10 weeks, and runs during the law school summer break. All summer associates spend the first two days of the program in orientation.
We provide summer associates with an opportunity to do real, significant work in service to our attorneys and their clients.
We offer a competitive salary. The salary for the current year will be published when we open the application period in December of the preceding year.
Our program is unique from other Summer Associate programs in its focus on providing an opportunity for rising 2L law students. Our program does not include a commitment to offering positions to Summer Associates upon graduation, however certain of our past summers have gone on to join our firm.
We seek applicants who are committed to working in the Pacific Northwest after graduation and who are interested in promoting and contributing to our firm’s core values: mutual respect; openness; civility; community engagement and volunteerism; diversity in our firm, the legal profession, and our community at large; and balance in our work and lives. Priority will be placed on identifying applicants who will meaningfully add to the diversity—and thus the effectiveness and fairness—of our firm’s culture and the broader legal community.
Our program is for rising second year (2L) law students.
As temporary employees, Summer Associates are not eligible for benefits. Pacifica does provide a free, unlimited ORCA (transit) Card to Summer Associates for use during their time with the firm.
The application period for our Summer Associate program opens in early December of the preceding year. Interested law students may apply online here.
Summer Associates receive mentorship and guidance from our program coordinator.
We offer our Summer Associates a well-rounded experience by exposing them to a broad range of meaningful work across our practice groups.
Our program does not include a commitment to offering positions to Summer Associates upon graduation, however certain of our Summer Associates have gone on to join Pacifica, and we encourage all of our summers to keep in touch with the firm and attend our annual Summer Associate Reunion.
Find Your Career Path
Use the below links to learn more about our Summer Associate program and lateral opportunities.
Lateral Opportunities
Pacifica offers attorneys an environment in which to grow and thrive personally and professionally among supportive, collaborative, and highly accomplished colleagues.
Apply Beginning December 2024
We typically begin accepting applications for our Summer Associate positions in December of the preceding year.
