Summer Law Clerk Program

Cosgrave’s summer program is designed to expose second-year law students to the breadth of the firm's practice areas and the depth of our lawyers' knowledge. Each summer law clerk takes part in a ten-week program of activities that provides substantive legal opportunities such as:

• Participating in client conferences, depositions, trials, and hearings
• Preparing pleadings, contracts, memoranda, and other legal documents
• Conducting legal research
• Working directly with a variety of attorneys

Partner and associate mentors are assigned to help connect a summer law clerk with hands-on work opportunities within the firm’s practice groups, particularly tort and casualty litigation, business and real estate transactions, commercial litigation, and employment law. By providing challenging projects, practical training, and the chance to work and socialize with many of our lawyers, we give law clerks the experience needed to make an informed decision about their future legal careers.

In hiring summer law clerks, the firm seeks students whose academic and personal record of achievement places them in the top one-third of their class. We are looking for individuals whose character, intelligence, judgment, and training will inspire their colleagues and clients to have confidence in their abilities. We also strive to hire a diverse group of associates, because we believe our firm, our clients, and our community benefit from different experiences and perspectives. 

How to apply

We conduct on- campus and virtual interviews at Northwest law schools during the recruiting season. Please arrange an on-campus interview through your law school career center.

If we do not schedule a campus interview at your school or you are unable to apply through that process, you can apply by submitting the following information:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Writing Sample ( at least five pages)
• Law School Transcript

Please address your cover letter to Dan Peterson, our Hiring Committee Chair.

Firm Description

Cosgrave is a collegial, energetic, and entrepreneurial workplace. Our work environment promotes mutual respect and trust , personal growth and development, and excellent client service. We take pride in the fact that a number of our staff and attorneys have been part of the team for many years. We balance the intensity of our work with a friendly, collaborative environment.