FAQs

Applications and interviews

How do I apply for a summer associate position?

Please submit your application for our summer program through our online application. Applications require a resume, cover letter and undergraduate transcript; we ask that you please supplement your application with your first semester grades upon receipt. Writing samples are not required to apply for a summer associate position; individual offices may request a writing sample if you are invited to interview. Applications sent via direct email will not be considered.

Please address your cover letter to a recruiter located in the office you are applying for. In your cover letter, we recommend including information such as your office interest and practice area of preference.

In order to be eligible for a summer associate position with Norton Rose Fulbright, you must attend an ABA-accredited law school in the United States.

Can I apply to more than one office?

Please submit one application to the office that most directly aligns with your interest. You will be able to rank additional office interests in your application.

I am interested in a position with one of the Intellectual Property teams. Is a technical background required?

All associates assigned to the IP Disputes or Patents teams must take the patent bar prior to joining the firm. Therefore, summer associates who apply to our IP Disputes and Patents position must have an eligible STEM undergraduate degree. Students interested in our Brands or Technology Transactions positions are not required to have a particular background.

What can I expect during the callback interviews?

Callback interviews are conducted on a rolling basis. . Each student who receives a callback interview should expect to participate in 30-minute interviews with 4-6 lawyers. Many of our offices host dedicated Callback Days, when students spend approximately three hours in our offices. The recruiting representative will ask if you are interested in particular practice areas.

What travel expenses does the firm reimburse?

Norton Rose Fulbright will reimburse candidates for reasonable travel expenses incurred in association with callback interviews. Norton Rose Fulbright has an in-house travel department to assist you with these arrangements. Likewise, the firm will participate in shared expenses with other participating law firms in the area. You may download a copy of the NALP Travel Reimbursement Form or request a copy from your recruiter. If you have questions, please contact the Legal Recruiting representative who coordinated your interview.

How soon will I be notified of an offer decision?

The Hiring Committee and Hiring Partner make every effort to respond to each candidate as quickly as possible. Per firm policy summer associate offers will be extended upon receipt of first-semester transcripts.

I received an offer and I still have questions.

We encourage you to direct your questions to the Entry-Level Recruiting representative who coordinated your interviews or the Hiring Partner. We can arrange a second visit, coordinate a follow-up lunch or dinner and/or arrange for you to speak with additional lawyers via telephone or email.

Do you hire 3Ls or LLM students?

We typically fill our entry-level associate class needs through our Summer Associate Program. If we have open entry-level associate positions, they will be posted on our Opportunities page. You may also submit your materials (cover letter, resume, transcript) to US Legal Recruiting. Please include your practice area preference and office preference in your email.

Summer Associate Program

How long is your summer program?

Our summer program is 10 weeks. The 2026 program dates are May 18 to July 24, 2026. All summer associates must spend a minimum of 8 weeks with the firm.

Can I split my summer?

Summer associates are not permitted to split their summer.

Returning 2L summer associates are required to spend a minimum of eight consecutive weeks within the set Summer Program dates, beginning at the start of the program.

What types of work assignments are given to summer associates?

We believe that the summer is a great learning experience and we strive to provide assignments that mirror the work a junior associate would perform. To ensure you get the most from those assignments, our lawyers provide both formal and informal feedback on a frequent basis throughout the summer. Your summer experience will provide you with a realistic preview of what it is like to practice at Norton Rose Fulbright. We offer sophisticated work for real clients, world class learning and development opportunities and our lawyers are committed to teaching and mentoring

Is there a mentoring program for summer associates and associates?

Each summer associate will receive two mentors, typically a partner and a non-partner, who will serve as an advisor during and after the summer program. Fellowship recipients will also receive an additional fellow mentor.

Associates will receive a Year 1 Buddy upon commencement at the firm. After six months at the firm, they will be assigned a senior mentor.

Will I have the opportunity to do pro bono work during the summer?

As part of our deep commitment to our community, our summer associates will have the ability to learn about our extensive pro bono work and participate in projects.

What are some of the social activities provided for summer associates?

We believe social activities afford our summer associates a great opportunity to build connections with colleagues and peers. Aside from lunches and dinners with a variety of partners and non-partner lawyers, our summer associates will attend sporting, cultural and teambuilding events.

What kinds of training and development opportunities will I experience this summer?

Along with the on-the-job training you receive working alongside experienced lawyers, we offer our summer associates the ability to attend activities such as client meetings, hearings, depositions and negotiations. Our summer associates also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of legal and business skills workshops and presentations.

What will I get paid as a summer associate?

As a US summer associate, you will be paid US$4,327 a week, which is the annualized salary for a first-year associate. Compensation is paid out on a semi-monthly basis.

Associate life

What are the billable hours expectations for associates? How do I make partner?

Associates that achieve 1,900 client hours will be eligible for a productivity bonus. Up to 50 hours of Firm Investment Time (FIT) counts toward productivity bonus thresholds.

Partners are full equity partners with voting rights. Associates are generally considered for partnership after eight years.

I am interested in pursuing a judicial clerkship at some point in my career. Does the practice support clerkships?

Serving as a judicial clerk offers an invaluable experience that we encourage associates to pursue. Many of our current lawyers have clerked for federal or state judges, including justices of the US Supreme Court.

Where can I find out more about associate life at NRF?

You can find out more information about our firm through one of our firm pages with Vault, Chambers or Flo Recruit Forward. We also suggest viewing our NALP forms on the NALP Directory of Legal Employers website.