Our summer associates engage in substantive, challenging assignments across a broad range of practice areas. They receive structured, personalized feedback throughout their assignments and have opportunities to attend trials, hearings, depositions, negotiations, and client meetings. The summer program is designed to closely mirror the experience of being a Baker Donelson associate.
Each summer associate is paired with both a shareholder and an associate mentor to ensure individualized guidance and support, fostering personal and professional growth. Summer associates are invited to all practice group trainings held during the summer. Professional development begins on day one and continues throughout their time at the Firm, with summer training laying the foundation for a successful legal career.
In addition to professional development, each office hosts a variety of social and community-focused events, giving summer associates the chance to connect with attorneys in a relaxed, informal setting. Building relationships with Baker Donelson professionals is a key part of the summer experience and essential to growth as a young lawyer.
We typically hire around forty summer associates firmwide. While our primary source of growth is through the summer associate program, we do not hire more summer associates than we anticipate being able to accommodate as full-time associates. Historically, we have extended offers to the overwhelming majority of our summer associates. We typically require six-week clerkships, with some offices offering eight- or ten-week programs. Salaries range from $2,300 to $3,500 per week, depending on the office and the candidate's law school year.
Application Information
The application process for our 2026 2L Summer Associate Program is now closed. Details and deadlines for the 2026 1L Summer Associate Program will be posted here in November 2025. If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Mims.
Diversity Commitment
Baker Donelson is deeply committed to advancing diversity in the legal profession and strengthening the legal pipeline by expanding opportunities for diverse law students. Each year, the Firm awards three Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarships, which include a salaried 2L summer associate position and up to $20,000 to help offset third-year law school tuition.
We also hire diverse 1L law students through the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Scholars Program and have proudly participated in the program since its inception in 2009. Additionally, Baker Donelson has established a 501(c)(3) fund to support Black college students pursuing legal education. We continue to expand our involvement in minority job fairs, the Lavender Law Career Fair (sponsored by the National LGBT Bar Association), and the LCLD Scholars Program. We actively recruit at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs).