1. How do I apply for a summer associate position?

For information about applying for our 2L Summer Associate Program, please refer to the U.S. Law Students Career page.

2. What should I bring to my interview?

For your own reference, please have available copies of your resume and transcript during the interview. Writing samples and references are not required. We recommend business attire for your interview.

3. How long will the interview last?

Your interview at Debevoise will last half a day. During that time, you will meet with two partners, counsel or senior-level associates, followed by a meeting with a junior or mid-level associate.

4. What expenses does the firm reimburse?

For in-person callback interviews, we reimburse all reasonable travel, meal and hotel expenses. Debevoise has an in-house travel department to assist you with these arrangements.

5. How will I be reimbursed for expenses related to travel for my in-person call-back interview?

Should you need to make them, travel and hotel arrangements to San Francisco should be made with the firm you select as your “host” firm. The “host” firm will be responsible for billing the other firms you visit on your trip. Retain your receipts for any additional costs you incur on your trip (i.e., taxis, meals, parking, etc.). Submit all receipts and the NALP Travel Expense Reimbursement Form to your “host” firm.

Please direct receipts and Travel Expense Reimbursement Forms for the Debevoise San Francisco office to:

6. After interviewing, when will I find out whether I have received an offer?

We try to make offer decisions as soon as possible after receiving your law school transcript and the interviewers’ evaluations. Our hiring committee meets frequently to review files. You should expect to hear from us within 3-5 days after your application file is complete.

7. What if I still have questions after receiving an offer?

We invite you to return to the office to meet with additional lawyers. If you are unable to make a return in-person visit, we would be happy to put you in touch with lawyers who will be able to answer your questions via Zoom, email or phone.

8. When does the summer program start? Is there a minimum number of weeks summer associates spend with the firm?

We offer various start dates throughout the summer. The minimum number of weeks required is eight.

9. What is the dress code?

The year-round dress code at Debevoise is business casual. We do recommend, however, that you keep a suit in your office should you have the opportunity to attend a client meeting or make a court appearance.

10. Do summer associates travel for work?

Summer associates will begin the summer with a two-to-three-day orientation in our New York office and may have the opportunity to travel back to New York for a summer associate event. Summer associates may also have the opportunity to travel for particular work assignments.

11. Will I be able to work on pro bono matters?

Debevoise has a long-standing and widely recognized commitment to pro bono work. We strongly encourage summer associates to become involved in pro bono projects.

12. Will I have an advisor or mentor during the summer?

Each summer associate is assigned both a partner advisor and an associate advisor, generally based on practice area interests. The advisors are available to talk to and offer advice to summer associates, as well as provide insight into the firm experience.

13. When are associate offers made?

Each summer associate is hired with the expectation that we will extend an offer to return as a full-time associate.

On their last day at the firm, summer associates will receive an exit interview where their partner advisor will review the feedback from their work assignments and will inform the summer associate of our offer decision.

14. During the summer, will I be working in one practice area or will I be rotating? How are summer associates staffed on assignments?

Debevoise does not have a formal rotation system for summer associate work assignments. Throughout the summer, members of the Legal Recruiting Department will contact you regarding the status of your current work assignments and ask what types of assignments you would like to work on next. Because your interests may change during the course of the summer, you will be able to update your interests and find work assignments in new areas you would like to explore.

15. What opportunities do summer associates have to meet and interact with lawyers?

Summer associates can expect to have extensive interactions with lawyers at all levels of seniority. In addition to working with lawyers, summer associates can meet full-time lawyers through our numerous social events. These include dinners hosted by partners in their homes, sporting and cultural events, and pro bono benefits and other activities.

16. What types of social activities are offered to summer associates?

Debevoise offers a wide range of activities over the summer so that you can get to know the members of your class as well as Debevoise associates, counsel and partners. Recent activities included our welcome cocktail party, Giants baseball game at Oracle Park, an evening at the opera, a cooking class and a yacht cruise around the San Francisco Bay.

17. What is the salary for summer associates?

Associate and summer associate compensation firmwide at Debevoise is competitive with other major New York firms. Summer associates in the 2025 summer class were compensated $4,330 weekly. For more information about the Firm’s associate compensations and benefits, please click here.

18. How many U.S. summer programs does Debevoise offer?

We have three formal summer programs, in New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Each office hires summer associates directly.

19. How do I contact the Legal Recruiting Department?

If you have any questions regarding your interview in our San Francisco office, please contact the San Francisco office at 415-738-5700 and ask for Ahan Morris (Talent Manager) or Stephanie Chui (Senior Talent Coordinator).