Summer Associate Program | Holland & Knight

Candidates interested in applying to our 2026 Summer Program must complete this online application.

The summer program is an integral part of Holland & Knight's hiring effort, as we hire the majority of our junior associates directly from our summer program. We strive to give our summer associates an accurate sense of what it is like to work as a first-year associate at the firm, and we hire each summer associate with the expectation that we will extend an offer for a full-time position at the end of the summer.

We are intentional in recruiting relatively small summer associate classes, so that we may get to know each of you – your skills, talents and interests. Doing so enables us to provide individualized opportunities for you to learn about the practice of law. We hope that by exposing you to challenging client work and providing you with access to our comprehensive, substantive training program, you will gain insight into the practice and the firm.

Our summer program provides a real-world law firm experience, with opportunities to:

learn how to practice law by working with experienced lawyers on complex matters for sophisticated clients
attend client meetings, depositions, hearings, trials, closings and other external events
build relationships with our attorneys through work assignments, our mentoring program, practice group meetings and events throughout the summer
work with your peers in the office and throughout the firm
meet our top leaders and learn about the history and future of the firm
improve your substantive and practical legal skills through customized training programs
connect with associate and partner mentors who help you navigate your summer associate experience and begin your career with us

Interviews provide an invaluable opportunity for us to get to know you, so that we can better assess whether your skills, interests and values will fit with ours. Interviews also enable us to highlight our work, culture and values, so that you can decide for yourself if Holland & Knight is a good fit for you.

In-Office Interviews - If you are selected for an in-office interview, we will contact you to schedule a time for an office visit. Once you arrive at our office, you will be greeted by our legal recruiting staff and introduced to a number of attorneys of varying experience levels, from new associates to partners.

Callback Interviews - Callback interviews are structured to allow you to meet both associates and partners who focus on the areas of law in which you are interested – and to provide you with a view into our firm culture.

Even though dress policies may differ across Holland & Knight offices, business attire is suitable for interview candidates in every Holland & Knight office. Please bring extra copies of your resume, writing sample, transcript, list of references, etc. and come prepared to talk about yourself and your interest in Holland & Knight.

During the summer program, we give you intellectually challenging assignments from many different practice areas that will allow you to showcase your analytical and advocacy skills while strengthening and highlighting your writing capabilities. If you have an interest in learning about our litigation practice, you will be invited to observe depositions, court hearings and trials, and may draft briefs, pleadings, motions and substantive research memorandums. If you have an interest in learning about our transactional practices, you may help the team by conducting due diligence, assisting with closings, sitting in on client negotiations and meetings and preparing research memorandums. Summer associates are also given opportunities to work on pro bono projects.

We provide you with two mentors – usually one partner and one associate – who will guide you through your summer program experience. Your mentors are available to answer your questions, from how the firm operates and the stylistic preferences of various partners to the best place to go for coffee near the office. Your mentors will help you to create and reach your career goals, connect you to colleagues, provide candid advice about work assignments and teach substantive and practical legal skills through direct experience and shadowing opportunities.

Summer associates receive two formal evaluations – one during the middle and one at the end of the summer program. The Hiring Partner and Summer Assignment Coordinator in each office will sit down with each summer associate to go over their reviews and work performance. Feedback is important, and we encourage all of our summer associates to be proactive in soliciting informal feedback from the attorneys with whom they regularly work. Receiving "real time" constructive feedback adds real value and will help you continuously improve your performance and hone your legal skills.

The Summer Associate Experience

Shaping Future Leaders: The Summer Associate Experience