Summer Associates

Olshan's Summer Associate Program is designed for second-year law students and serves as the primary vehicle for hiring first-year associates. Our summer classes are selectively small, so that each summer associate comes away with a clear idea of what life as a first-year attorney is like at Olshan.

Life as a Summer Associate

As a summer associate, you will take part in a variety of assignments in order to experience as many transactions and cases as possible. You will have substantial exposure to partners, counsel and associates, including the opportunity to watch them in action — in meetings, depositions, court appearances, client meetings, conference calls. Likewise, you will have ample opportunity to demonstrate your unique skills in a fast-paced, professional environment.

To help make your summer with the firm a productive learning experience, we assign attorneys to act as mentors. Your mentors will be available to answer questions or to address any concerns you may have.

We also plan social events and other professional and cultural activities, enabling you to get to know our attorneys and staff on a more personal level.

How can you become a part of Olshan's future?

During the recruiting season, we visit the following schools:

• Brooklyn Law School
• Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
• Columbia University School of Law
• Fordham University School of Law
• New York University School of Law
• Rutgers University School of Law-Newark

While we expect to visit these law schools, our full-time attorneys come from many different law schools and we encourage applicants from schools that we may not visit. If your school is not listed, please send your resume, cover letter and a copy of your law school transcript to the Director of Administration, Heather Rutner at hrutner@olshanlaw.com. We will contact you if it seems appropriate to schedule an interview.

FAQs

How many summer associates do you expect to hire?

We hired three summer associates in 2024 from the class of 2025.

What is an associate mentor's responsibility?

Your mentors will be a valuable resource from whom you can learn about life at Olshan. They will offer guidance and support, and assist with introducing you to firm attorneys and staff, both on a professional and social basis. Your mentors will maintain frequent contact with you and help with any issues that may develop during the summer. You should feel free to contact your advisors if you are experiencing a problem or need assistance in any way.

From what department will I receive assignments?

You will receive assignments from all of the various departments at the Firm, during the course of the summer. 

Who will give me my assignments?

An assigning attorney will meet with you to discuss and explain each assignment. Through this direct contact we hope to ensure that you fully understand the requirements of the assignment. For everyone's benefit, we have asked our attorneys to be very clear with you about deadlines, keeping in mind that you may need more time to complete a project than an experienced associate. We encourage you to ask lots of questions and to go back to the assigning attorney, if necessary.

How will I be informed about the quality of my work product?

The assigning attorney will complete an evaluation form and orally discuss your work product with you after each assignment. Based on these evaluations, you will receive a formal evaluation halfway through and at the end of the summer from two of the partners in charge of the summer program. Any feedback you can provide as to the quality of your summer experience will add to our review process.

Are there social activities?

There are various professional and social events planned for the summer associates throughout the summer. Your advisors, and other attorneys as well, will also take you to lunch from time to time and ensure that you get to meet the firm attorneys and staff.

Will I get a fulltime offer?

Offers are made at the end of the summer by the Recruiting Committee. Our Summer Associates are evaluated independently, using the same criteria applied to all our associates

What will be my compensation?

Salaries and benefits for associates and summer associates are fully competitive with other leading New York law firms. All summer associates will be paid at a rate of $3,942.30 per week, which is based on an annual compensation of $205,000.