Career Tools
BigLaw 1L Summer Associate Programs
Curated, filterable database of BigLaw firms that actually hire 1L summer associates. Most BigLaw firms don't — the real list is small. Filter by eligibility (open / diversity / LCLD), office location, or search by firm.
Last updated: June 2026.
26
Total programs
10
Open eligibility
8
Diversity-focused
4
LCLD member firms
4
PI stipend pipeline
Showing 26 of 26 programs
Verify before applying.
Application windows, stipends, and eligibility rules shift each cycle. Always confirm current-cycle details on the firm's official career page (linked on each program). This table is curated and updated periodically — the source of truth is the firm.
How to use this database
1L summer recruiting is fragmented — firm career pages publish program details in different formats, with different deadlines, and updates lag. This table consolidates what's publicly known so you can build a target list in one sitting, but the firm's career page is always the source of truth.
- Filter by your eligibility first. If you don't meet diversity criteria, filter to “Open / Merit-based” and focus there. If you do, filter to your category for the broader set.
- Filter by your target city. 1L summer associate programs are office-specific; not every firm hires 1Ls in every office.
- Click into each program for full details — eligibility, stipend, program length, and the link to the firm's official application page.
- Verify the current cycle before applying. Deadlines shift year to year. The table reflects the most recent full cycle pattern, not a real-time deadline tracker.
What's NOT in this database
- External fellowships not tied to a specific firm (SEO Law Fellowship, Equal Justice Works fellowships, Class of '95 Fellowship). These have their own application processes outside the firm-by-firm structure.
- Firms whose specific 1L program structure couldn't be confirmed for the current cycle. Including Sullivan & Cromwell, Cravath, Morgan Lewis, and Reed Smith — all hire some 1Ls but their specific program names, deadlines, or eligibility weren't verifiable to the standard required for this table. Check each firm's career page directly.
- Public interest 1L programs (Legal Aid, ACLU, public defenders, etc.). Those are covered in the 1L Summer Internship guide.
- Federal judicial chambers — not employer programs, applied to per-judge. Covered in the same guide.
- Federal agency programs (DOJ Honors, agency student programs). Different structure; covered separately.
- Mid-market and regional firms — some hire 1Ls but typically on a rolling basis without formal programs. The database focuses on full-service BigLaw (AmLaw 100) plus a few elite litigation boutiques.
FAQ
Which BigLaw firms hire 1L summer associates?+
Most BigLaw firms do not run open-eligibility 1L summer associate programs — 2L recruiting through OCI is the canonical BigLaw path. The firms that do hire 1Ls fall into four categories: (1) open / merit-based programs including Paul Weiss, Skadden in select offices, Latham in Austin and Houston, Sidley limited 1L slots, Gibson Dunn, Jones Day, Mayer Brown, and the litigation boutiques Susman Godfrey, Hueston Hennigan, and Munger Tolles; (2) diversity-focused programs including Wachtell, Sidley Built to Succeed, Cooley Diversity Fellowship, Goodwin Excellence Program, K&L Gates Power of Partnership, Weil Fellowship, White & Case 1L Diversity Fellowship, and Akin Gump; (3) LCLD member firms (Covington, Winston & Strawn, Pillsbury, Bradley); and (4) the new PI Stipend Pipeline pattern — Davis Polk, Kirkland, Simpson Thacher, and Quinn Emanuel offer $25k-$50k stipends to 1Ls who accept 2L summer offers and spend their 1L summer doing public interest work. This database lists 25 such programs with eligibility, application windows, pay, and locations.
When do BigLaw 1L summer associate applications open?+
Most BigLaw 1L applications open in early November (some as early as October) and close in mid-January. ABA Standard 304 prohibits 1Ls from applying for any summer position before December 1, so even programs that open earlier won't process 1L applications until that date. Specific 2026-cycle examples: Sidley opened November 1, Cooley closed January 9, Latham (Austin/Houston) closed January 30. Apply on December 1 onwards for the December-closing programs; complete applications in the first two weeks of December rather than waiting until late.
What's the difference between an open 1L program and a diversity-focused 1L program?+
Open 1L programs accept applications from any 1L (Wachtell, Paul Weiss, Skadden's specific offices, Latham Texas, Jones Day). These are highly competitive — the bar is similar to 2L OCI grade thresholds at top schools. Diversity-focused 1L programs are restricted to students from historically underrepresented groups in the legal profession (specific criteria vary by firm — typically race/ethnicity, first-generation status, LGBTQ+, disability, or veteran status). Most BigLaw 1L hiring goes through diversity-focused programs because firms use them to expand pipeline diversity that wouldn't be captured in traditional 2L recruiting.
What is the LCLD 1L Scholars Program?+
The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) is a coalition of 350+ law firms and corporate legal departments. The LCLD 1L Scholars Program is a coordinated 1L hiring track where students apply through LCLD's criteria and are placed at member firms. Participating firms include Covington & Burling, Winston & Strawn, Pillsbury, Bradley, and many others. The program typically includes a paid 1L summer associate position at the member firm, plus access to LCLD's leadership development network. Apply through both LCLD's job board (lcld.com) and the individual member firm's career page.
How much do BigLaw 1L summer associates get paid?+
BigLaw 1L summer associates earn prorated first-year associate pay — at Cravath-scale firms in 2026, that's $225,000 annualized, which translates to about $4,400 per week ($35,000-44,000 for a 10-week summer). Diversity-focused programs often add a stipend or scholarship on top of the standard summer pay. Examples: Cooley pays up to $50,000 in three installments ($10k after 1L, $20k after 2L, $20k as associate); Goodwin's Excellence Program offers a $50,000 stipend; K&L Gates Power of Partnership adds up to $50,000 in academic bonus. See the Cravath Scale guide for current first-year pay benchmarks.
Do open 1L programs have grade cutoffs?+
Yes — open / merit-based BigLaw 1L programs are highly grade-driven, with most firms making offers after candidates submit fall semester transcripts. Soft floors: top 25-35% of class at T14 schools, top 10-15% at schools outside T14. The very most competitive open programs (Wachtell, Paul Weiss, Skadden specific offices) often require near top 10-15% even at T14 schools. Diversity-focused programs typically have lower grade thresholds because the criteria weight other factors (demonstrated commitment to diversity, leadership, personal essays). Firms are looking for fit and potential, not just GPA.
Should I apply to BigLaw 1L programs or focus on judicial / public interest?+
Apply to both if you're competitive. BigLaw 1L programs are reputation-positive for 2L OCI but not the only signal — your 1L grades will still drive most OCI outcomes. Apply broadly. Realistic strategy: 5-10 BigLaw 1L applications (mix of open and diversity-eligible), 10-15 federal judicial chambers, 5-10 federal agencies and major PI orgs, and a few small firm or RA backup options. Most students who land BigLaw 1L offers also had a judicial or PI offer in hand. Don't commit your entire 1L spring to BigLaw alone — the rejection rates are too high to bank on as the only path.
Related Guides
- How to Get a 1L Summer Job — the tactical application playbook.
- 1L Summer Job — Realistic Options — 8 tracks beyond BigLaw.
- 1L Summer Internship — federal judicial / agency / PI tracks.
- Summer Associate Jobs (2L OCI Guide) — the canonical BigLaw recruiting path.
- Cravath Scale — current BigLaw associate pay benchmark.