Seattle - 1L Dorsey Fellowship (#981)

Are you a first-year law student eager to launch your legal career at a top, international firm that values your unique perspectives? Dorsey & Whitney LLP invites you to apply for our 2026 1L Summer Associate Program in Seattle. This position will support the Tax, Trusts, & Estates practice group, receive the Dorsey Fellowship, and spend a portion of the summer working at the in-house legal department of a Dorsey client. In addition, the student may also be named a Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) 1L Scholar.

The Dorsey Fellowship awards $10,000 to a member of the 1L Summer Associate program. Recipients who return for their 2L summer will receive an additional $10,000, with a further $10,000 award if you join Dorsey as a new associate.

We offer a dynamic, immersive experience that's designed to help you thrive and supplement your legal education. At Dorsey, our summer associates are at the heart of everything we do. Our program is thoughtfully structured to provide you with real work and robust training. You'll be paired with writing coaches, work coordinators, and mentors who are invested in your development, ensuring you receive personalized guidance every step of the way.

What You'll Experience:

• Tackle challenging client matters and gain hands-on experience working closely with accomplished attorneys.
• Spend two weeks working with the in-house legal department of a Dorsey client
• Sharpen your legal writing and advocacy skills.
• Make a difference by representing pro bono clients.
• Attend client meetings, depositions, closings, and court appearances for real-world exposure.
• Benefit from formal feedback and dedicated mentoring.
• Participate in seminars and training events through Dorsey U, our in-house professional development program.
• Build lasting relationships with fellow summer associates and Dorsey attorneys through networking and social events.

The client portion of the program will primarily be remote, and summer associates will:

• Collaborate on and learn about in-house legal projects
• Participate in client-led Practice Area Seminars and gain exposure to real legal issues
• Network with city-wide legal professionals at firm-wide and social events
• Develop professionally through formal mentoring by the client's in-house counsel

We are looking for students with strong academic achievements and a passion for excellence. All students attending an ABA-accredited law school are eligible to apply, subject to the class year requirement.

How to Apply: Submit your application online at https://www.dorsey.com/careers/law-students

Dorsey is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for disability, religion, pregnancy, or lactation. For assistance, contact recruiting@dorsey.com

Application Deadline: January 30, 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. We will contact you directly if we are interested in scheduling an interview.

Required Materials:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Writing sample
• Unofficial undergraduate transcript
• Unofficial law school transcript. (If unavailable at the time of application, please email to recruiting@dorsey.com as soon as possible. Applications will not be fully reviewed until law school grades are received.)

Compensation: $3,940 per week (Washington). This is a temporary position and is not benefits eligible.

Why Dorsey? Our friendly, collaborative culture is one of our greatest strengths. Dorsey is proud to be recognized for our welcoming workplace:

• Mansfield Rule Plus Certification (Diversity Lab)
• Best Law Firms for Women (Seramount)
• 100% rating on the Corporate Equality Index (Human Rights Campaign)
• Top 100 Adoption-Friendly Workplace (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)

Dorsey & Whitney LLP is an EEO/AAP/Disabled Vets Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age, marital status, military or veteran status, familial status, public assistance status, or any other legally protected status.

Dorsey participates in E-Verify.