Position Summary

Ogletree Deakins is seeking second-year law students for our 2027 summer associate program in the Kansas City, MO, office. Students will gain substantial experience in all types of employment-related legal matters during our 10-week summer program.

Summer Associates at Ogletree receive mentorship from attorneys across the firm, collaborate with other Summer Associates on projects, and attend office and firm-wide social events. Each Summer Associate is assigned a Supervising Shareholder and Associate Mentor in their respective offices and one-on-one support and coaching from the Attorney Development and Recruiting and Retention departments. Summer Associates participate in a robust development program called JD to OD. Presented by firm experts, JD to OD equips Summer Associates with foundational skills and knowledge on a variety of topics such as technology and the use of AI, communication best practices, legal writing, and time entry. By the end of JD to OD, Summer Associates are prepared to excel at OD, immediately contribute to their local offices, and shape their future legal careers.

Essential Functions

Research projects.
Drafting written discovery requests and responses, motions, legal correspondence, and preparing legal updates.
Observation and participation in strategic planning for depositions, mediations, hearings, arbitrations, and trials.
Participation in witness interviews and client meetings.
Wide variety of other assignments.

Requirements

Participation in extracurricular activities highlighting leadership skills, commitment, and time management.
Class standing in the top 1/3
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to work well with others and independently.
Demonstrated entrepreneurial mindset.
Interest in pursuing a career in management-side labor and employment law upon graduation from law school.
Undergraduate Degree that demonstrates academic excellence and critical thinking ability.

Contact Information

If you have questions, please e-mail Katherine Manus at katherine.manus@ogletree.com with “2027 2L Summer Associate - Kansas City" in the subject line. Please note, applications submitted via e-mail will not be considered.

Firm Overview

Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. Best Law Firms® has named Ogletree Deakins a “Law Firm of the Year” for 14 consecutive years. In the 2025 edition, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Litigation – Labor and Employment category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 1,100 attorneys located in 60 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, including many of the Fortune 50 companies in the U.S.

We are fully committed to the importance of diversity within the legal profession, as well as all workplace environments.

Equal Opportunity Employer.

Ogletree Deakins

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2027 2L Summer Associate (Kansas City, MO)