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U.S. Summer Program

Careers
Our U.S. summer programs in New York, Washington DC and Northern California provide you with an all-encompassing experience of work and life at one of the world’s top-rated firms.

How to apply

We are now accepting applications for our 2024 Summer Associate Program. Please email your resume, transcript and your practice area preferences to newlawyer@davispolk.com

Applicants may also be interested in our Davis Polk 2L Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Fellowship.

Download our careers brochure

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Welton Blout, Vanessa Jackson, Paula Ryan (U.S. Summer program)

What to expect

Real work: As a summer associate, you’ll work closely with partners and associates on significant cases and transactions that involve complex legal issues and well-known companies and financial institutions. As a new team member, you will be fully integrated and receive the same level of responsibility as any first- or second-year associate. You will draft documents, participate in conference calls, go to client meetings and court, possibly travel on client business, and conduct meaningful research – work that is of value to our clients and to the firm.

A program tailored to your needs: Unique to Davis Polk, select junior associates, in corporate and litigation, work full-time as the summer program coordinators and are tasked with ensuring that each summer associate receives a range of work assignments and has a fulfilling summer experience overall. The summer coordinators will meet with you to discuss your practice areas of interest and any other personal or professional goals you have for the summer, and will continue to meet with you regularly throughout the program.

Professional development: We offer over 20 formal training sessions throughout the summer program, including department and practice area overviews, corporate and tax immersion programs and associate profiles. These overviews and training sessions are designed to introduce you to the work and career paths available to you at the firm, and you are encouraged to take on assignments from any of our practice areas.

Mentoring: You will be matched with both a partner mentor and an associate liaison who will introduce you to the firm and provide ongoing professional guidance. Our mentors get to know the summer associates by working with them on assignments and attending lunches, dinners and other informal social events. 

Cultural and social events: Baseball games, cooking classes, neighborhood food tours, candle making, axe throwing, Broadway shows – we plan a range of events designed to introduce you to New York, Washington DC or Northern California and give you the chance to get to know your Davis Polk colleagues.

Pro bono opportunities: Summer associates work on a variety of existing matters, including amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court, court reform projects, asylum cases, and corporate and real estate transactions for public service organizations, among other projects. In addition, they have the opportunity to work on new matters we accept specifically for the summer program. In the New York summer program, we offer two-week externships at several local public interest organizations.

Rotation/split opportunities: Some of our summer associates are selected to spend some time working in one of our overseas offices while others split their time between New York and Washington DC or Northern California. Additionally, some summer associates have had the opportunity to travel on a client matter.

Program offices

New York

Our New York office is the firm’s largest, with a comprehensive range of corporate, litigation and tax practice areas. Our strong presence in this global financial center has been cultivated over decades, and the firm and its lawyers are ingrained in the city’s major business sectors and financial markets.

Summer Associates in New York are paid an annualized salary of $215,000, prorated for the number of weeks worked.

Washington DC

Our Washington DC office’s key practices – white collar government investigations, financial institutions (focusing on trading and markets and bank regulatory advice), antitrust and competition, and national security – are active in areas as diverse as government investigations, the regulatory and enforcement aspects of mergers and acquisitions, and the impact and implementation of financial regulations and reforms.

Summer Associates in Washington DC are paid an annualized salary of $215,000, prorated for the number of weeks worked.

Northern California

Our Northern California office reflects the firm’s traditional strengths in advisory and transactional practices (including capital markets and M&A) as well as litigation (including both commercial and IP litigation).  We serve clients nationwide and around the globe, with a special focus on the West Coast and the distinct needs of technology and life sciences companies.  Our office is located in Menlo Park and we have a large workspace in central San Francisco for lawyers who prefer to work in the city.

Summer Associates in Northern California are paid an annualized salary of $215,000, prorated for the number of weeks worked.

FAQs


How are assignments distributed during the summer program?



How much partner contact is there? Are partners accessible?



What type of work is given to summer associates?



How does the review/evaluation process work?



Can I do a rotation at one of Davis Polk's overseas offices during the summer?



What happens if you receive a clerkship?



What is the policy on splitting the summer?