Summer Legal Associates Program

As the Legal Department for the Jackson Laboratory (JAX), a non-profit biomedical research institute, we are committed to finding and growing top legal talent. Our Summer Associate Program is a 10-week program that gives high achieving first year law students an opportunity to work with JAX attorneys, develop their legal skills, and gain valuable insight into what post graduation careers could look like. JAX accepts two law students to its Summer Associate Program each year.

Maine D1L Program

JAX is a participating member in the Maine Diversity Summer Associate Program for law students who are members of historically underrepresented groups in the legal profession. As a participating member, JAX extends an offer to one successful applicant to the Maine D1L Program each year and integrates them into the Legal Department’s regular Summer Associate Program.

At JAX, we recognize and appreciate the importance of creating an environment in which all employees, faculty, and students feel valued, included, and empowered to do their best work and bring great ideas to the table. JAX’s participation in the Maine D1L Program is part of our commitment to ensuring diversity in our workforce, faculty, and student body and one way we provide active support of diversity and inclusivity in our organization, the legal profession, and Maine.

Program Location and Term

Summer Associates will be located at JAX’s Bar Harbor, Maine location. JAX will assist Summer Associates with housing for the term of program. The Summer Associate Program is a 10-week program, typically beginning in early June.

Role and Projects

Summer Associates will have a broad range of responsibilities from across the Legal Department and will receive meaningful projects that reflect real-time legal issues and problem solving. These projects may include researching legal issues impacting intellectual property rights or export compliance, drafting transactional documents, supporting visa and immigration processes, and attending client meetings.

Program Coordinator and Mentor

JAX’s Summer Associate Program is overseen by the Summer Associate Program Coordinator. The Program Coordinator monitors the workload and projects of each Summer Associate to ensure they receive the proper breadth of projects and continuously receive the right balance of work, and also provides a mid and end of summer review to ensure direct and constructive feedback on work product. In addition, each Summer Associate is assigned a mentor who provides guidance throughout the program by supporting integration with the team and answering practice and career questions.

Program Activities

Summer Associates will have opportunities to participate in presentations from JAX’s in-house attorneys and outside counsel partners on a variety of topics ranging from substantive legal issues to practice pointers, enjoy beautiful Acadia National Park, and connect with colleagues in informal settings.

Please send inquires to Sarah.Wellings@jax.org