Where Law and Business Meet.

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Law Student Positions

Summer Program

The summer program is designed to provide a sense of what it is like to practice law at Fredrikson, while also giving you the opportunity to meet people at the firm, hone your skills, become familiar with the city, and enjoy the summer.

Current Openings

We welcome applications to our Summer 2025 Law Clerk position (for 2026 J.D. candidates) in Fargo and Bismarck, ND.

We are also now accepting applications to our 2025 1L Summer Associate positions (for 2027 J.D. candidates) in Minneapolis, MN and Des Moines, IA.

Our 2025 2L Summer Associate positions in Minneapolis, MN and Des Moines, IA have been filled, along with our 2025 Law Clerk position in Madison, WI.

Job Fairs 

Lavender Law Career Fair

Minnesota Minority Recruitment Conference

School-sponsored Interview Programs 

Boston College

Drake Law School (Des Moines)

Howard

Indiana University, Mauer School of Law (Minneapolis)

Mitchell Hamline School of Law (Minneapolis)

University of Iowa College of Law (Des Moines and Minneapolis)

University of Michigan Law School (Minneapolis)

University of Minnesota Law School (Minneapolis)

University of St. Thomas School of Law (Minneapolis)

University of Wisconsin Law School (Minneapolis)

Washington University School of Law (Minneapolis)

What To Expect

Summer associates receive projects from every area in their office location either through our project portal or through organic assignments with opportunities to work on and observe litigation and transactional practices. The program is flexible. If you are interested in a particular area of law practiced within your office, you should be able to get projects from and/or exposure to that area.

Summer associates routinely have the opportunity to perform legal research and draft litigation and transactional documents. Summer associates are also invited to assist with pro bono projects, with assistance provided as needed by a supervising attorney. Throughout the summer, summer associates are invited on field trips with attorneys, which could include the opportunity to attend closings, court arguments, witness depositions and/or attend client meetings.

Summer associates, like lawyers at Fredrikson, are largely autonomous, with the main requirement being that they must be able to meet the client’s needs. They spend a portion of each day in non-billable activity. This can include social events or simply getting to know their colleagues.

Each Friday morning, there is a summer associate group meeting. The meeting is a chance for summer associates, workflow coordinators and recruiting professionals to come together and discuss the events of the week. Each week, we also invite guests from various legal and business departments. In addition, summer associates are invited to attend monthly department meetings. This is another opportunity to meet attorneys and learn about the departments.

The summer program is designed to allow for summer associates to have consistent feedback on projects. Assigning attorneys have the opportunity to provide written feedback on every project a summer associate completes, in addition to conversation and in-the-moment feedback. The firm also conducts individual mid-summer and end-of-summer check-in reviews with each summer associate. These various sources of feedback and evaluation allow for transparency and support continued professional development through the summer program and beyond.

Finally, each summer associate can shape his/her own experiences. Most Fredrikson attorneys work with their literal and/or virtual doors open and summer associates are welcome to stop by. Summer associates often use that opportunity to seek out particular types of projects or field trips, to explore an interest or just to talk with a future colleague.

Fredrikson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 


Typical Day

MaKennah Little

MaKennah Little was a 2023 Summer Associate and is now an Associate at Fredrikson.

"During my summer at Fredrikson & Byron, I had the opportunity to work on projects across many practice areas. It is difficult to describe a 'typical' day as a summer associate because every day brought unique experiences. Fredrikson’s summer program stands out to me because of the hands-on nature of projects. Over the course of the summer, I was able to attend field trips to court hearings, mediations, legislative sessions, city council meetings, and more. In the office, I was able to shadow client meetings in person and over the phone, draft motions, compose emails for clients, and tackle complicated research projects. Each day and week at Fredrikson flew by because attorneys constantly included me in interesting activities.

Throughout the summer, my confidence as a summer associate grew as Fredrikson provided ample opportunities for summer associates to receive feedback. I loved that after each assignment, attorneys provided written feedback through an online portal as this allowed me to improve with each project. Summer associates also have assigned workflow coordinators who can seek feedback on their behalf and then discuss the feedback weekly. I found it very reassuring to know that I had thorough guidance as I began my career at Fredrikson.

I worked in the Des Moines office and, aside from work, I had the opportunity to get coffee or lunch with every attorney in that office. I felt supported by associates and shareholders alike and felt comfortable asking them questions about work and life, and never felt like I was bothering anyone when doing so."

Deqa Mohamed

Deqa Mohamed was a 2022 and 2023 Summer Associate and is now an Associate at Fredrikson.

"A typical day as a Fredrikson summer associate was an enriching blend of substantive work, networking opportunities, and enjoyable social events. Having the chance to participate in the summer program twice was a true privilege, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the firm's culture and diverse practice areas.

During my first summer, I embarked on a journey of exploration within the firm and worked on projects across different practice groups. From drafting an asset purchase agreement to researching topics spanning corporate governance to intellectual property, each task offered a new challenge and insight into various legal realms. Uncertain of which legal path to pursue initially, I was given the opportunity to work on a variety of cases and delve into different areas of law, refining my interests as I went.

In my second summer at Fredrikson, I arrived with a clearer vision of my interests within the legal field. With a better understanding of where my interests were, I proactively sought out projects in these areas. This proactive approach allowed me to shadow client meetings, gaining invaluable firsthand experience and insight into the intricacies of legal practice. My initial attraction to Fredrikson stemmed from its emphasis on pro bono work, which was reaffirmed as I continued to engage in a variety of pro bono cases throughout both summers. This commitment to serving the community not only aligned with my personal values but also provided me with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Networking also played a pivotal role in my summer experiences. I was able to connect with attorneys across the firm and explore new coffee shops and lunch spots. Their openness and willingness to share insights into their work and the firm's culture helped me navigate the firm with clarity and confidence. My summers were also full of fun social event such as the First Avenue tours and a weekend retreat at Grandview. These events gave us the opportunity to bond as summer associates and build a strong sense of community. I am immensely grateful for both of my summer experiences, and I am super excited to join the firm as an associate!"

Jeremy Ruppert

Jeremy Ruppert was a 2023 Summer Associate and is now an Immigration Attorney at Fredrikson.

"There is no typical day as a summer associate at Fredrikson, and for me, that was the best part! During my time, I experienced a collaborative and supportive work environment that encouraged me to explore various areas of law, contribute to meaningful projects, and build lasting relationships with my fellow summer associates and the firm’s talented attorneys. One of the most rewarding aspects of my experience was the opportunity to work on a wide array of projects: from litigation matters to corporate governance, and even a brief pitstop into international tax—an area I knew little about before the summer but have a newfound appreciation for! This variety was immensely valuable as I navigated my own interests and was given the ability to try many tasks with the support of expert attorneys in their field.

One memorable project I got to work on was drafting an asylum brief for a pro-bono client. Fredrikson’s dedication to pro-bono service is second to none, and I was honored to assist with this project because of my background in immigration law. In fact, the attorney who reached out called me specifically knowing about this particular interest, and throughout the summer, I had the chance to collaborate with fellow summer associates on other asylum pro-bono projects and assist them through the process.

The magnitude of an asylum brief cannot be understated, but nearly every project I had the chance to contribute to as a summer associate involved interesting, complex legal questions of high importance to the client. The attorneys I worked with not only allowed me to take projects and run with them, but they also looked to me for strategy and suggested courses of action. I felt empowered and able to add value in areas that mattered to clients, even at this early stage in my legal career. This is in large part due to the impressive amount of robust feedback I received throughout the summer. From substantive, written feedback on every project to multiple rounds of feedback on writing samples, the guidance I received was immensely valuable to my development as a writer, advocate, and future attorney.

Of course, being a summer associate was not just strictly legal work but was a ton of fun outside of the office as well. One of the highlights of the summer for me was joining the firm softball team! We played on Tuesday nights against other firms or government agencies in the Twin Cities, and while the games were friendly and accessible, they were also surprisingly competitive. Our team had a great time on the field and off the field often staying after games to hang out or get drinks at a local brewery. The best part of this was that I was able to invite my wife to play on the team with me! We had a great time together and with other members of the Fredrikson community. We also had a great time at Grand View Lodge. The retreat was a fantastic time to get out of the city and travel north to enjoy Minnesota’s lake life. It was also a great opportunity to meet people on a more personal level as the retreat is open to families. My wife and I really enjoyed meeting the “Fredrikson kids” and cruising on a pontoon ride across the lake.

Whether it was touring the First Avenue concert venue with the summer associate team or discussing new projects and brainstorming with my peers, Fredrikson fostered an exciting, enriching, and supportive culture during my time as a summer associate, and because of my summer, I am excited to continue my legal career with the firm."

Dylan Saul

Dylan Saul was a 2022 Summer Associate and is now an Associate at Fredrikson.

"Being a Fredrikson summer associate means experiencing life as an attorney at the Midwest’s top – and most fun! – law firm. For me, a typical day meant: 1) diving into diverse, substantive, associate-level work projects; 2) growing professionally by building relationships with mentors and co-workers; and 3) getting to know my future colleagues in and outside of the office.

One incredible perk of the Fredrikson summer associate experience is that you are guaranteed to work on interesting projects from every corner of the firm. Attorneys from all practice groups submit projects into a centralized portal, allowing summer associates to pick and choose from a broad array of learning opportunities. I recall getting to help with a pro bono immigration matter one morning, researching environmental regulations that afternoon, and signing off by sending a redlined contract to a supervisor that evening. The freedom to dabble in different practice areas helped me find what types of projects I really enjoy, and ultimately led me to my practice group. Fredrikson’s approach to the summer associate program reflects the firm’s mindset as a whole: try new things, learn as much as you can, and become a leader in the fields you are most passionate about.

Fredrikson’s summer associate program also stands out because attorneys and staff are incredibly generous with their time. If I had questions on a project, my supervising attorneys always welcomed my questions. If I wanted to sit in on a client call, they always encouraged me to do so. If I was curious about an attorney’s career path, the attorney would never hesitate to invite me to a coffee or a lunch. Most tellingly, after I finished a project, the supervising attorney always took time out of their day to meet with me, hear my thoughts, and give me feedback. This showed me that each attorney I worked with was invested in my professional development, valued my input, and wanted me to succeed. Finally, some of the most important relationships I developed were with Legal Administrative Assistants and other staff, who were all more than happy to take me under their wing and share their wealth of institutional knowledge about Fredrikson and the practice of law.

Fredrikson summer associates work hard, but we also have a lot of fun. Over the course of my summer, Fredrikson attorneys took our summer associate class on a boat cruise, treated us to a Loons soccer game, and rocked out with us during a concert at First Avenue. These experiences helped me get to know my future colleagues outside of the office, and also made me more confident being myself in the office. These networking opportunities also showed me that practicing law at Fredrikson means getting to work alongside people who truly care for each other, who bring their true selves to work, and who always make the most of every day together.

The Fredrikson summer associate experience is chock full of learning opportunities, meaningful contributions to substantive client work, and time spent with incredible mentors. I am very grateful for my summer experience, and I cannot recommend it highly enough to law students who are eager to dive into real legal practice!"


Interview Kit

During the blur of on-campus interviewing, it often seems like all law firms are alike. In fact, there are distinct differences between firms. Unfortunately, the distinctions are not always apparent until after you start working and comparing notes with your friends. The variations between firms are not necessarily good predictors of whether the firm will be successful, but they can be excellent indicators of whether you will enjoy working in a particular environment. There is no foolproof way to determine all of the characteristics of the firms, but here are some questions that you may wish to ask yourself, and the firms, to draw out the unique qualities and their importance to you.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Do you prefer to work on many different projects at once, or to work on one project for longer periods?

Some firms tend to have very large projects that last for long periods; other firms have more, smaller projects. A large litigation case can result in a lawyer’s spending years working exclusively or nearly exclusively on one project. Working with many small clients can require a lawyer to bounce rapidly from one project to another. Would you find working on one matter for a long time dull or comforting? Are frequent interruptions by clients calling with questions a break in the monotony or stress inducing?

Do you thrive on the excitement of putting out fires, or do you prefer a steady, reliable schedule?

This question can be useful for helping select a particular area of the law. While any client-driven business requires immediate response to some problems, certain areas, such as litigation and securities, are much more likely to have frequent “emergencies” than areas such as estate planning.

Do you prefer to seek work out, or would you rather have work assigned to you?

Some firms will assign you to projects, whereas others encourage you to seek out your own projects. Which approach better suits your personality? In an entrepreneurial firm, you are more likely to succeed if you are a self-starter. In a very hierarchical firm, the same traits may rock the boat.

What makes a case or transaction interesting to you? Is it the size of the deal/dispute or the novelty of the issues involved?

Some people would prefer to do a complex transaction for a small client while others prefer any transaction for a marquee name. Some attorneys prefer “bet the company” situations, while others find comfort in lower stress situations.

Questions to Ask the Firm

Stability of the Firm

Almost every lawyer dreams of landing the big client, and having a large client is often very rewarding, both professionally and economically. Focusing on particular industries can be very effective for building a practice. However, if much of a firm’s business is dependent on just a few clients or a few industries, the firm faces much higher risk. Any economic downturn affecting the clients or industries will have a large impact on the firm. Firms that depend on just a few clients are particularly at risk because something as simple as a merger or change in executives at one company can undermine the stability of the firm.

Firms that target only one or two industries can suffer if those industries change. The most stable firms have strength in multiple areas so that weaknesses in one sector of the economy are offset by growth in another. For example, when securities slows, bankruptcy may be busier.

Stability of the firm is also affected by who has the bulk of the firm’s practice. If just a few lawyers control most of the firm’s work, a departure by those lawyers can destroy the firm. By contrast, if most of the firm’s shareholders have an independent practice, the firm is much less likely to be impacted by the departure of one lawyer or even a group of lawyers.

Finally, stability can be affected by the relationship between the firm and its most senior or retiring partners. It can seem premature to worry about how the firm addresses retirement before you have even begun employment, but these arrangements can affect your salary as a beginning lawyer. Some firms have large buyouts or offer large guaranteed payments to very senior or retired partners. Such payments can strain the firm’s financial health and prevent the firm from properly compensating younger lawyers. (It is not safe to rely on promised payments from your employer as a means of funding your retirement. If anything happens to the company, your retirement fund evaporates.) Most firms permit lawyers to self-fund their retirements using qualified retirement plans such as a 401(k). These self-funded arrangements present no strain on the firm’s finances and enjoy considerable legal protection. However, even if the firm has a qualified retirement plan, determine whether it has any significant obligation to senior or departing attorneys.

Possible Questions:

Approach to Growth

Some firms use a boom/bust approach to growth, growing rapidly when times are good, but laying attorneys off during leaner times. Other firms are more conservative, growing more slowly as client needs demand it. Still other firms grow through acquisition or merger with other law firms. While this latter approach can rapidly increase revenues and firm size/capacity, it can have significant effects on firm culture and camaraderie, as well as more practical matters like overhead costs and client conflicts.

Possible Questions:

Structure

There are a wide range of ways to structure a law firm in terms of management, delegation, distribution of power and decision-making authority, etc. Some firms operate like a corporation, with one key leader and/or a board making the majority of decisions. Strategy is set at the top and pushed down to departments and individuals. The upside is a single vision and direction; the downside is that there is little opportunity for input from individual firm members. At the other end of the extreme are firms that apply a very decentralized approach, with each individual shareholder having more or less an equal say in the firm’s growth. While this allows the lawyers to have more of a voice, it can be a very disjointed approach and frequently results in glacially slow decision-making as the group attempts to reach consensus. Still other organizations utilize a “star” system, with a few key rainmakers influencing decision-making in the firm.

Some firms, including Fredrikson, apply a blended approach. Our Board sets big-picture strategy and delegates power to department chairs to shape and implement it, with input from individual department members. In addition, practice groups and individuals have the ability to approach the Board with ideas about growth opportunities, new clients or areas of practice, etc. Often this input helps us to shape or redirect our strategy, and it allows all firm members to feel like they are part of the process.

Possible Questions:

Leverage

Many firms are organized like a pyramid, with many young associates and comparatively few partners. Other firms have a more vertical structure, with approximately the same number of lawyers at each level. In the business of law firms, this is called “leverage.” Firms with lots of associates and few partners are said to have more leverage than those with lots of partners and few associates. Highly leveraged firms often have a high volume of commodity work that needs to be done inexpensively, so it makes sense to have that work done at low rates (i.e., by junior associates). Routine work may get pushed down to those associates who are expected to produce a lot of hours, often with little or no direct contact with the client they are working for. This can lead to low satisfaction and high burnout and turnover.

Possible Questions:

Compensation Formula

Some firms share salary information internally; others do not. Some use lockstep methods for compensation; others use factors such as hours billed, practice size or seniority. Ask about the method used and consider how it will affect you. For example, will you prefer the predictability of a lock step system or would you prefer a merit-based system? Does the compensation system use “carrots” to encourage certain behavior or “sticks” to discourage it? Which approach do you prefer?

Consider how the compensation formula will affect your behavior and the behavior of others. For example, Fredrikson has a relatively low and flexible par, 1775 – 1850 hours, and has a generous production bonus program. People outside the firm have often asked if this creates pressure on associates, but associates at Fredrikson like the system because it is flexible. If you work the elected par, you have met the firm’s expectations. But if you work harder, either because you choose to or client needs require it, you are rewarded for that effort.

Finally, ask how compensation is handled in a bad year. Some firms borrow money to maintain salaries, which carries obvious risks. Some compensation systems are self-correcting while others require the firm to manually re-adjust compensation if finances are unusually good or bad. During a bad year, such discussions can be quite contentious.

Becoming a Shareholder

All firms have varying expectations about who will become shareholders. Some firms use associates primarily as a source of revenue, with very little expectation that many associates will still be working at the firm after four or five years. Other firms view associates as the future and hire with the expectation that every associate has the potential to become a partner. The philosophy of the firm has a major impact on how associates are treated.

Firms also have a range of expectations on what an associate must do to become a shareholder. Partnership may seem far off, but understanding the firm’s approach to adding partners often reveals a great deal about the work environment.

Possible Questions:

Happiness/Job Satisfaction

One of the most important questions is whether the lawyers at a firm enjoy their work. While stories of unhappy lawyers may be the norm, there are many happy lawyers in the world. As you interview, it is often helpful to determine why people choose to leave a particular firm. Was it something specific to the firm, or a general displeasure with the private practice of law?

Attorneys who have changed firms, often called laterals, can offer unique insight into the differences between firms. Seek them out and ask them to compare firms. Determine which firms draw attorneys from other firms and which do not.

Finally, it is quite common for lawyers to change practice areas over time, either as the lawyer’s interests change, or because economic forces require it. Determine whether the firm provides any assistance to lawyers who seek to change the emphasis of their practice.

Possible Questions:


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