Summer Associates Program
The Summer Associate Program Overview
The summer program plays a vital role in Adam Leclair’s recruitment efforts. We believe that our program is a two-way interview—our summer associates are evaluating our firm as a future place to work, just as we are evaluating them as potential colleagues after law school. In addition to coordinated work assignments and dedicated mentoring, our program includes social and professional events designed to offer insight into life at Adams Leclair.
Participants in Adams Leclair’s Summer Associates Program have typically completed two years of law school before their program begins. Applicants are encouraged to apply during the summer after completing their 1L year, or towards the beginning of their 2L fall semester. In exceptional cases, Adams Leclair will consider applicants who will have completed one year of law school prior to their participation in the program.
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Summer associates have the opportunity to work on cases directly with partners and associates. They are assigned to multiple cases across our different practice areas to ensure that each summer associate has an opportunity to explore different area of litigation. As our summer associates work on cases, they will receive direct and valuable constructive feedback from the attorney overseeing the case. Summer associates are also encouraged to attend depositions, oral arguments, mediations, and any observational opportunities to grow their skills as a future attorney. Additionally, there are two formal review opportunities that occur at the middle and end of the program.
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Our summer associates receive training in areas such as legal research, writing, client communication, and e-discovery. The goal of our training is to equip summer associates with the necessary skills to develop into talented litigators.
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Each summer associate is assigned an associate mentor. These mentors answer any questions the summer associates may have, and serve as a resource to help familiarize them with the different practice areas, attorneys, and work they will be doing throughout the summer.
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Throughout the course of the summer program, our summer associates will have the opportunity to get to know everyone who works at Adams Leclair outside the office while also sharpening their networking and professional skills. Past summer programs have included social events such as a golf outing, a pedal tour, axe-throwing, and a firm picnic. Professional events have included a tour of the Fourth Department Appellate Division, a tour of the United States District Court for the Western District of New York in Rochester including a discussion with Chief Judge Wolford, and an intergenerational communication seminar. Our goal is to make sure that you have fun, get to know your colleagues, and continue to develop as a future attorney.
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Summer associates are also given the opportunities to develop their oral argument abilities through a mock oral argument. Summer associates each took one issue of a summary judgement motion and argued it in front of a panel of judges comprised of their colleagues. This is an opportunity for our summer associates to further develop their advocacy abilities.
Interested in our Summer Associate Program?
Adams Leclair will interview applicants for its 2026 Summer Associates Program during the fall of 2025.
To apply, please send a copy of your resume, cover letter, unofficial transcript, and a writing sample to humanresources@adamsleclair.
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