2027 Chicago IP 2L Summer Associate

Job Description At K&L Gates, we are looking for smart, imaginative and hard-working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us. Perhaps our search for talented visionaries and your search for important and impactful work lead to the same place.K&L Gates is currently accepting applications for a 2027 2L summer associate position for our Intellectual Property (IP) practice in our Chicago office. Recruitment for the 2027 summer associate program will focus on candidates interested in our ; and practice groups.Our Summer Associate Program is designed to give law students a full picture of the firm. As a summer associate, you will work closely with experienced lawyers who will provide active mentoring while you learn about our clients, practices, lawyers, and culture.We take pride in constantly striving for innovation, imagination, and an entrepreneurial spirit. We come up with big ideas and then roll up our sleeves to get the job done, guiding our clients through their most complex issues in a variety of industry sectors and across multiple regions of the world. We look forward to seeing whether K&L Gates is the right place for you to grow your career.SELECTION CRITERIAWhen considering candidates, we will look at the following criteria:A strong, expressed interest in our IP practice areaPossess a bachelor’s degree and/or advanced degree (M.S, Ph.D.) in a physical science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, etc.) or a technical field (Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Engineering, Pharmacy, etc.) Superior academic credentials and excellent written and oral communication skillsThe ability to work independently and as part of a team, and a commitment to the highest quality of client service Class of 2028 J.D. StudentAPPLICATION PROCESSWe will begin to review applications on a rolling basis. The application will remain open until the program has been filled. Please submit the following materials: ResumeA law school transcript (A link will be provided to update your transcript after the receipt of spring semester grades)An undergraduate transcriptCover LetterWriting SampleADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONWhile not required, if you have a personal connection to the office’s city or region, please also include this information in your cover letter. Weekly pay rates for summer associates are prorated based on first year associate salary and in 2026 range from $3,461.53 to $4,326.92 depending on office location and/or practice. The K&L Gates Management Committee will determine the 2027 summer associate salary prior to the summer program start date and could vary by office based on factors, including but not limited to market factors and geographic location.ABOUT THE FIRMK&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents in more than 40 offices. We have experienced dramatic growth in the past decade and now rank among the largest U.S. based law firms in the world. We take pride in constantly striving for innovation, imagination and an entrepreneurial spirit. We come up with big ideas and then roll up our sleeves to get the job done, guiding our clients through their most complex issues in a variety of industry sectors and across multiple regions of the world.The industry recognition the firm has garnered emanates from the foundation of a global community aligned on behalf of our clients. The people at K&L Gates are committed to working together to create a legacy for each other, the firm, our clients, and the communities in which we serve. We thrive in an inclusive and socially conscious environment that embraces diversity and takes a holistic approach to the career evolution of all our professionals.

Created: 2026-05-06