Careers
Students.
Welcome law students – we’re so happy you’re here! We know what it’s like, looking from the outside in, so we’d like to give you a brief glimpse into what it’s like to work at Fennemore.
For starters, our culture of diversity, equity and inclusion views our people as our greatest asset. Even though you’ll be a “rookie” if you start as a student with our firm, your vision – and bold new ideas – will be heard and valued. Our CEO, James Goodnow, started at Fennemore as a file clerk at the age of 18. His story is proof that anything is possible at our firm. It ultimately translates into the work that we perform for our business clients – we help them thrive by creating endless possibilities….
And there will be days when you’ll be “suited and booted” for client meetings, but we’re actually very casual in our dress policy. We let our professionals be adults, and we were one of the first law firms in the country to allow blue jeans: 24/7/365.
You’ll be assigned a mentor, and have access to our attorneys who will provide you with helpful guidance. This is a firm where your growth and development as both a student – and future attorney or allied legal professional – is paramount to our success, and yours. You’ll have a chance to explore areas of the law that you’re interested in – and perhaps you’ll discover an avenue that you had not previously considered. This is your chance to make real connections as you prepare and train for a rewarding career in the legal profession.
139
139 years guiding the West’s entrepreneurs and largest businesses
2022
Top Company to Work for in Arizona
#1
#1 Fastest Growing Law Firm by Law.com
Attorney Recruitment Administrator
Laura Zilmer
2394 E Camelback Rd, Suite 600
Phoenix, AZ 85016
O: 602.916.5272
F: 602.916.5957
lzilmer@fennemorelaw.com
SUMMER ASSOCIATE PROGRAM
We recruit nationally for our summer associate program and rely on the program as our principal source of new, full-time associates.
When we interview a summer associate candidate, we want to hire someone who wants to spend the rest of their career with us, not just the eight weeks of our summer associate program. We are in it for the long haul. To that end, a significant portion of our firm leaders (including members of our Management Committee and Practice Group Chairs) are alumni of our summer associate program, which dates back to the mid 1970’s.
About The Program
When you become a summer associate, you immediately become a member of our team. From the beginning, we provide you with tools you will need to succeed as an attorney. We believe that once you have joined our team, there is no reason to wait to provide you with those resources. Summer associates enjoy one-on-one mentoring, direct substantive reviews from assigning attorneys and a reader who will review and evaluate each and every project. At the midpoint of your summer, you will also receive feedback from your reader and a senior attorney to discuss your progress to date. In addition, we welcome and encourage all summer associates to attend practice group meetings for any areas of work that may spark their interest. We also arrange visits to clients’ facilities so summer associates can get to know our clients and what they do, and how we are a team with them.
What Students Have Said About Our Summer Associates Program
“The call-back sealed the deal for me! The Firm felt like the right fit and the culture really resonated.”
“I had offers from two other top firms and my gut told me that Fennemore Craig was the right place for me!”
“I accepted my offer because I knew I would be exposed to great work and could work closely with partners if I came to Fennemore Craig.”
“The two main reasons I accepted my offer were that the ‘vibe’ was right for me and the Firm offered a wide variety of practices.”
“Joining Fennemore Craig is a career/life decision and the right one for someone who wants to contribute and be heard.”
“What I liked best about the summer program is that it offered me a well-rounded summer experience with the opportunity to do real work!”
“The practical training was excellent; I got to observe the attorneys in court and really learn hands-on.”
“My summer experience offered a great variety of work and skilled practitioners to work with and learn from.”]
“During the summer, I got to meet attorneys from different practice areas and really get to know them.”
“I really liked the environment! The attorneys were friendly and welcoming.”
Summer Associate Program Year in Review
2023 – Fennemore Bids A Fond Farewell to Our 2023 Summer Associates
2021 – Fennemore Bids A Fond Farewell To Its “Elite Eight” – Our 2021 Summer Associates
2020 – Fennemore Craig Bids A Fond Farewell To Its 2020 Superstar Summer Associates
Summer Associate FAQs
Q. Which Fennemore offices host summer programs?
A. Our hiring needs vary from year to year. In the past, we have hosted summer associates in Phoenix, Fresno, Las Vegas, Reno and Denver.
Q. What are the summer program’s start and end dates?
A. Our program typically begins shortly after Memorial Day and has extended to late July
Q. How much are summer associates paid?
A. We offer a competitive summer associate salary that is competitive with other major firms in each of our markets.
Q. How do I apply?
A. Please sign up for on-campus interviews or click on this link for the application. Please submit your resume, cover letter and unofficial law school transcript.
NALP Form
Additional information about our firm can be found on our NALP form.
Benefits
Because we want you to be in it for the long haul with us, we encourage you to take a look at our comprehensive benefits programs, which are virtually unparalleled from top to bottom in the law firm environment.
If you are interested in a summer associate position, please click here to apply.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Fennemore is an equal opportunity employer and we comply fully with all applicable laws governing the employment relationship. Our employment decisions are made based upon individual merit and without regard to an individual’s protected status.
Training & Work Assignments
We offer several training sessions regarding research, legal writing and other skills that you will use on a daily basis. We provide summer associates practical training opportunities hosted by attorneys at the firm. These programs allow summer associates to shadow, and sometimes participate in, various day-to-day activities to see what the practice of law with us is really like. Summer associates commonly watch trials, oral arguments, negotiations, client conferences, depositions, closings and a host of other activities. You may not be ready to be a lawyer, but our goal is to allow you every opportunity to see what it will be like to be a member of our firm.
In terms of substantive work assignments, you will do real work for real clients, very much like the work our associates perform. We solicit your preferences on practice areas and we do our very best to assign work to you in those areas. If you do not have any preferences, that is fine, as many do not at this stage of their lives. The work is both interesting and challenging. Our clients hire the best for a reason.
Social Events
Of course, we also schedule a wide variety of social events for you to get to know our attorneys and vice versa.
Summer associates received a hard hat sneak peek tour of the Mountain Shadows Resort in Paradise Valley.
Summer associates competed at the Game Show Battle Room with Fennemore colleagues.
Summer associates enjoyed their first week in the Fresno office.