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

The DC office recruits on-campus at five law schools. We also participate in resume collections and local job fairs. For a complete listing, please see the 2024/2025 On-Campus Interview Schedule. If your school is not on this list, please feel free to submit a resume and transcript to our Legal Recruiting Department at recruit@debevoise.com.

2. What should I bring to my interview?

Please bring copies of your resume and transcript to 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 partners, counsel, senior-level associates and junior-level associates.

4. What expenses does the firm reimburse?

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

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

Travel and hotel arrangements to Washington should be made by 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 & Plimpton Washington 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 the interviewers’ evaluations. Our hiring committee meets frequently to review files. You should expect to hear from us within 5-10 days of your interview.

7. Does the firm offer diversity fellowships?  
 
After careful consideration, the firm has decided to not offer diversity fellowships. If you’d like more information, please contact recruit@debevoise.com. 

8. 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 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.

9. When does the summer program start? Are there a minimum or maximum number of weeks summer associates spend with the firm?

The summer associate program usually starts at the second week of May. The minimum and maximum number of weeks is set in the spring of each year. Our minimum is 8 weeks and it must be in the first half of our summer program.

10. 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.

11. Do summer associates travel for work?

Depending on the climate for travel, summer associates may have the opportunity to travel for particular work assignments.

12. 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 both summer associates and full-time lawyers to become involved in pro bono projects.

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

Each summer associate is assigned a partner advisor and an associate mentor. These pairings are generally based on common interests or backgrounds. The advisor/mentor are available to talk to and offer other advice to summer associates, as well as to provide insight into different practice areas of the office.

14. 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 have an exit interview with our recruiting partner. The recruiting partner will review the feedback from their work assignments and will inform the summer associate of our offer decision.

15. How are summer associates staffed on assignments?

The lawyer tasked with assigning work to the summer associate will check-in weekly and make assignments accordingly.

16. 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.

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

Debevoise offers a 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 social activities have included: our annual party at the Central Park Zoo, a cooking class, affinity group events and a baseball or soccer game, just to name a few.

18. 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 2024 summer class are compensated $4,330 weekly. For more information about compensations and benefits, please click here.

19. 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.

20. How do I contact the Legal Recruiting Department?

If you have any questions regarding your interview in our Washington office, please contact the Legal Recruitment Department at 202-383-8015.