Open Positions: Law Students

We're Hanson Bridgett LLP. And we face challenges head on. Whether we’re tackling a client’s case, closing a complex deal, or setting a new standard for law firm culture, we’re consistently working toward better solutions. As an AmLaw 200 California-born firm with more than 200 attorneys across the state, it’s simply in our DNA. We’re not only the first law firm recognized as a certified B Corp—we wrote the legal framework. We encourage our people to grow and make an impact in meaningful ways, and we’re committed to developing our distinct culture, delivering excellent service, and leading by example. Our deep capabilities means offering a tailored experience for our clients, our people, and the communities we serve. And while we’re based in California, we’ve forged alliances with firms in national and international legal networks to provide our legal skills across the US and worldwide. We’re setting new expectations. Because what’s expected is worth challenging.

Hanson Bridgett actively recruits talented and driven law students who share the same vision as the people who make up our firm. Our firm's main recruiting source for entry-level attorneys is our summer associate program. We conduct 2L interview callbacks each summer to fill between 4 to 5 summer associate positions in San Francisco and/or Los Angeles. We also hire a 1L LCLD Scholar each spring and our scholar participates in our summer program alongside our 2Ls. We purposefully keep our summer program small to maintain a cooperative and supportive environment consistent with our firm’s culture. A relatively small summer program also enables our summer associates to work in many of the major practice areas of our firm and get to know the people who make up Hanson Bridgett.

While every summer associate experience is different, we strive to give summer associates a realistic experience of what it is like to practice law at Hanson Bridgett. Summer associates are assigned work that, if they were not with us, would be assigned to Hanson Bridgett associates. The assignments are real, meaningful, and important. Summer associates also have opportunities to observe or participate in client meetings, court appearances, and other "hands-on" experiences. Summer associates, like associates, juggle multiple assignments and responsibilities. We know that the practice of law is demanding, but we strive for a healthy balance between work and personal time. We want our summer associates to experience the joys and pressures of working at Hanson Bridgett so that they can assess whether their professional and personal goals and objectives can be satisfied at our firm. To further establish personalized attention and support, each summer associate is paired with mentors and summer coordinators.

Hanson Bridgett recruits candidates who have a record of strong academic performance, excellent writing and analytical skills, participate in extra-curricular activities, show demonstrated leadership, who are determined and dedicated and who have a sense of humor. We actively seek applicants with diverse backgrounds, which includes individuals who identify with a racial, ethnic, or gender group which has been historically underrepresented in the legal profession, members of the LGBTQ community, those with a disability, or individuals with a track record of leadership and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Our summer program is typically 10 weeks in length. The salary for our Summer Associates is approximately $3,269.23 per week, paid semi-monthly. That is the same salary that our First-Year Associates earn, prorated for the length of the Summer Program.

Applications must include:

• Cover letter describing interest in the position
• Resume
• Legal research memo
• Copy of unofficial law school transcript (due once grades become available)

Hanson Bridgett LLP seeks to ensure a positive and diverse work culture where each person may work and develop professionally to the best of their ability free of unlawful discrimination or prejudice. To this end, the firm is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits unlawful discrimination or prejudice of any kind based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran’s status, mental or physical disability, or pregnancy.