Our Summer Program

Lathrop GPM’s summer program offers a comprehensive and diverse experience. We provide meaningful work and observational opportunities in various practice groups to offer a well-rounded perspective on practicing law at the firm. This allows summer associates to explore different practice areas, either confirming pre-summer preferences or sparking new interests. Summer associates have the opportunity to interact with partners, leaders, and staff across our geographical footprint, engaging in challenging work and gaining a realistic understanding of practicing law at Lathrop GPM.

In addition to professional development, we prioritize fostering social connections within our firm. Our summer associates have the chance to build relationships through various social and team-building activities including patio parties, trips to client facilities, tours of local attractions, and evening outings at sporting events. This is an integral part of the summer program, as lawyers and summer associates get to know one another outside the office.

Application & Required Materials

All students who are in good standing in their first year at an ABA-accredited law school are eligible to apply for Lathrop GPM’s Summer Associate Program positions. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled.

Applicants for all Summer Associate positions should submit the following materials as part of their application:

  • Resume
  • Cover letter (Indicate tie to geographic region in which you are interested in.)
  • Unofficial transcript of first semester grades (when available)
  • Legal writing sample

Lathrop GPM is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all eligible applicants regardless of race or ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity / gender expression, disability status, or any other identity.

We welcome and encourage applicants to request reasonable accommodations if needed, as we are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible application process.

Our 2025 1L Summer Opportunities

Lathrop GPM is now accepting 1L applications for the 2025 Summer Associate Program. Interviews will begin in December 2024 / January 2025. All open positions can be found below:

  • 1L Summer Associate – Kansas City, Minneapolis or St. Louis
  • 1L Summer Associate (LCLD) – Kansas City, Minneapolis or St. Louis
  • 1L Summer Associate (TCDIP) – Minneapolis Shared Client Rotation Clerkship with CHS

1L Summer Associate – Kansas City, Minneapolis or St. Louis

Lathrop GPM has a salaried opening for a 1L law student to office in Kansas City, Minneapolis or St. Louis for the summer of 2025. The Summer Associate will participate in our 10-week Program. Work assignments may come from any of our practice groups in any of our 13 offices and will usually involve substantive legal research, analysis, and writing. The format of the 2025 Summer Associate Program will be hybrid, including no fewer than three days in-office every week.

1L Summer Associate (LCLD) – Kansas City, Minneapolis or St. Louis

Lathrop GPM is a proud member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD). LCLD is an organization committed to building a more open and diverse legal profession. One 1L Summer Associate will be selected to participate in our salaried 10-week Summer Associate Program as described in the position above, as well as participate in the LCLD 1L Scholars Program. For more information about LCLD, see https://www.lcld.com/programs/1l-scholars/.

1L Summer Associate (TCDIP)– Minneapolis Shared Client Rotation Clerkship with CHS

Lathrop GPM is a member of Twin Cities Diversity in Practice (TCDIP), a not-for-profit organization that works to build a vibrant, diverse and inclusive legal community. Participants in our Minneapolis TCDIP Shared Client Rotation Clerkship will have the exciting opportunity to engage in TCDIP’s 1L Clerkship Program. This unique program allows 1L students to be part of our Summer Associate Program and also experience a 3-week “rotation” working with the legal department of CHS, a diversified global agribusiness cooperative owned by farmers and local cooperatives across the United States.

Those selected for a 1L position will have the opportunity to apply for the firm’s 1L Diversity Opportunity Program. This program promotes the understanding, awareness and access for historically underrepresented groups in law and offers a stipend of up to $20,000 for first-year law students who join and return to our firm.  

For Summer Associate inquiries, please contact:

Jaclyn Steiner
Legal Talent Manager
jaclyn.steiner@lathropgpm.com