Our Opportunities
Patent Litigation Fellowships
We have concluded 1L hiring for 2025 but this page provides what was our 2025 criteria. We will open 1L applications for the 2026 Summer Program in late 2025.
Perkins Coie’s Intellectual Property (IP) practice combines the focus and flexibility of a boutique firm with the services of one of the world’s leading technology law firms. We have more than 200 full-time patent litigators, patent prosecutors, and patent agents who are highly skilled at analyzing technology. We have litigated more than 350 patent cases in the past two years, with achievements that include outright wins on motions to dismiss, summary judgments, and bench and jury trials. Candidates for our patent litigation fellowships must have a technical or scientific background. Applicants with prior relevant experience are preferred.
Our Patent Litigation Fellows are full participants in our summer associate program and must spend the first 10 weeks of their summer with Perkins Coie. In addition to receiving a summer associate salary, Fellows will also receive a $15,000 stipend at the conclusion of their summer. Fellows will be chosen based on their skills and experience, as well as their technical degree and demonstrated interest in practicing law in patent litigation.
Application Guidelines
A complete application must include:
- Current resume.
- Cover letter.
- Three references (name, email, and phone).
- Undergraduate, graduate (if applicable), and law school transcripts (unofficial versions are acceptable).
- A legal writing sample (10-page maximum).
We evaluate all applications for the fellowship and consider the following factors:
- Academic achievement – A demonstrated record of academic achievement and excellent writing and interpersonal skills, as well as experience that will contribute to a successful career in the legal field.
- Patent litigation interest – Applicants must have a demonstrated interest in practicing law in patent litigation.
- Technical background – Applicants with a technical degree or background in computer science, electrical engineering, physics, and/or similar areas are preferred.
- Perspective – Life experiences that have shaped your perspectives and professional goals.
1L Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship
Legal Recruiting
We have concluded 1L hiring for 2025 but this page provides what were our 2025 criteria. We will open 1L applications for the 2026 Summer Program in late 2025.
Perkins Coie is pleased to offer the Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship Program. We have a long history of advancing the values of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. We are proud to have supported law students through D&I Fellowship program initiatives for more than thirty years.
The program offers 1L students who demonstrate a profound commitment to fostering and promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession through their efforts at the law school or community level with a paid summer associate position and a $15,000 stipend at the conclusion of the summer program. Fellows who return for their 2L summer are eligible for an additional $15,000 stipend at the beginning of the summer program, as well as a $10,000 award should they accept an offer to join the firm as an associate following graduation.
2024 Eligibility Criteria
- Good standing as a first-year law student at an ABA-accredited law school.
- Demonstrated record of academic achievement and excellent writing and interpersonal skills, as well as experience that will contribute to a successful career in the legal field.
- A history of meaningful contributions to the diversity and inclusion initiatives or programs you have established, expanded, or otherwise substantively engaged in while in school (including undergraduate), with an employer, or in your community.
- We are an equal opportunity employer, including for this program. Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of their race, sex, or other protected characteristics.
Application Guidelines
- Current resume.
- Cover letter.
- Undergraduate, graduate (if applicable), and law school transcripts (unofficial versions are acceptable). You can and should still apply even if your first-semester law school grades are not yet available; you can update your application as soon as they are available.
- A legal writing sample (10-page maximum).
- A personal statement (one-page, single-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman font). Your statement should provide concrete examples of diversity and inclusion leadership, resilience, and perspective, highlighting the following:
- Diversity and Inclusion leadership. Diversity and inclusion initiatives or programs you have established, expanded, or otherwise substantively engaged in while in school (including undergraduate), with an employer, or in your community.
- Resilience. Obstacles you have encountered and overcome and what you learned from those experiences.
- Perspective. Relevant life experiences that have shaped your personal and professional goals.
2L Summer Application
We are NOW ACCEPTING direct applications for the 2026 Summer Program (2L summer applications).
We will review applications, conduct interviews, and extend offers on a rolling basis. We strongly encourage all interested rising 2L law students to apply directly through our website, even if we are participating in campus interview programs at their law school.
If you receive an early offer before knowing your application status with us, you are welcome to contact the applicable Perkins Coie recruiter- click the Recruiting Contacts tab on the previous page.
Perkins Coie seeks summer associates who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership in and service to the community, and dedication to excellence in the legal profession. All candidates must be enrolled in and in good standing at an ABA-accredited law school.