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Summer Associates Jump Into The Deep End.

From what our summer associates tell us, we’re unique in offering positions where you’re trusted to make substantive contributions through close daily collaboration with senior attorneys.

The Summer Associate Program at Hinckley Allen gives participants a realistic sense of the demands, challenges, and rewards of a position within our firm. Participants gain hands-on experience through varied work assignments and receive guidance from both associate- and partner-level mentors. Additionally, there are plenty of opportunities to get to know our attorneys outside of the office, through organized social gatherings.

Hinckley Allen is no longer accepting applications from 2028 JD candidates for our summer 2027 program. Please check back in the fall for updates regarding 1L hiring.

Summer Associates receive diverse and challenging assignments and work alongside Partners and more Senior Associates. Assignments can range from a simple litigation research memorandum to assisting a Partner at a complex real estate closing. We also provide the Summer Associates with a chance to get involved with out-of-office experiences, including board meetings, depositions, arbitrations, client meetings, and judicial proceedings. Each office has a designated assignment coordinator and work is assigned to Summer Associates based on, among other things, availability and practice areas of interest. Our goal is to provide Summer Associates with real work similar in complexity to what they would receive as a first- or second-year associate.

Summer Associates are not assigned to a specific department during the Summer Program, but they are encouraged to express a preference for assignments from particular practice areas. Although we make every effort to accommodate their interests, Summer Associates may work on substantive projects from a variety of practice areas during the summer. Our goal is to offer intellectually stimulating projects that give Summer Associates an opportunity to demonstrate their writing, analytical, and advocacy skills while working alongside Partners and Associates who are deeply invested in their success at the firm.

Because of the small size of our summer class, and the firm’s lean approach to staffing, our Summer Associates truly learn by doing, including joining our attorneys for meetings, negotiations, closings, depositions, and court appearances. In addition to a wide variety of assignments that provide invaluable “on-the-ground” training, our Summer Associates are provided with numerous educational opportunities throughout the Summer Program. Training is focused on topics such as legal writing, skills development, project management, and tips for succeeding as an Associate at Hinckley Allen.

Each Summer Associate is assigned two mentors: one Associate and one Partner. The mentors assist the Summer Associates with all aspects of the Summer Program and familiarize them with the firm’s policies, practices, and procedures. In addition, mentors may provide evaluations and feedback to the Summer Associates on their work product.

The Summer Program is structured to give our Summer Associates a balance between work and social gatherings. A variety of social events are planned throughout the summer to provide summer associates with the opportunity to get to know our attorneys outside of the office.

In Their Own Words

A great way to decide whether Hinckley Allen is a good fit for you is to hear how our people feel about being here. Here are some current perspectives:

“As a summer associate, exposure to a broad range of practice areas helped me identify my focus and build relationships that ultimately led me to sophisticated M&A work. ”

Emily M. Covey Associate, Corporate & Business Transaction, Boston

“After my time as a summer associate here, I knew I wanted to be at a firm like this. Everyone was approachable, talented, and collaborative. I did work that contributed substantively to the cases I was assigned, and the partners genuinely wanted my feedback and insights. That is still true today. ”

Tara Singh Partner, Litigation, Boston

Hinkley Allen is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within our ranks. In honor of retired partner Malcolm Farmer, we offer scholarships to students who are selected for our summer associate program and who demonstrate a commitment to diversity, social justice, and/or community service.

  • Eligibility – Law student at an ABA-accredited U.S. law school, strong record of academics, leadership, and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, social justice, and/or community service.
  • Application– When you submit your application for the summer program, please include a personal statement that reflects your life experiences and commitment to inclusion, social justice, and/or community service.
  • Selection Process – Applications will be reviewed and selected by a group of attorneys and management personnel.
The Malcolm Farmer III Scholarship