2026 - 1L Summer Associate - Des Moines, IA

Fredrikson is the premier Midwest-based law firm working collaboratively to help businesses achieve their goals regionally, nationally, and globally.

We are seeking 1L Summer Associates to join our 2026 Summer Associate Program in Minneapolis, MN and Des Moines, IA.

Our summer associate program is designed to give you a good 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 Des Moines, and enjoy the summer.

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 in Des Moines are paid $3,075/week.

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 to shadow attorneys, which could include the opportunity to attend closings, court arguments, witness depositions and/or client meetings. We seek individuals with strong intellectual, analytical, problem-solving, and writing skills, as well as demonstrated leadership in their schools or communities. Successful candidates combine excellent academic performance with teamwork, initiatives, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a client-service mindset. Legal environments are both rewarding and demanding, and we look for people who thrive under pressure, bring resilience and stamina to their work, and who are motivated by the challenge of delivering excellence for our clients.

Applications will only be accepted online at www.fredlaw.com/careers, and applicants will initially be asked to submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and unofficial undergraduate transcript. Please note that there are separate applications for each office. While you can apply for both locations, we ask that you indicate why you are interested in a specific location in your cover letter.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. Applicants may supplement their legal transcripts by emailing lawrecruiting@fredlaw.com when grades become available but need not wait until grades are available before applying. For assistance with the application process, or for accommodations, please contact lawrecruiting@fredlaw.com.

Social responsibility is not something new or trendy at Fredrikson. It's just part of our culture and our community-driven approach. Our commitment to pro bono work and community service is an important part of our identity and our philosophy. You can read more about our work at www.fredlaw.com/commitment-pro-bono.

With a reputation as the firm "where law and business meet," our attorneys and staff bring business acumen and entrepreneurial thinking to operate as business advisors, strategic partners, and legal counselors to our clients. The firm's 400+ attorneys serve clients through our ten locations around the world: Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Mankato, MN; Bismarck and Fargo, ND; Ames and Des Moines, IA; Madison, WI; Saltillo, Mexico, and Shanghai, China. Visit www.fredlaw.com for more information.

Fredrikson is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Fredrikson does not discriminate in its recruiting, hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, and any other characteristics protected by applicable local, state, and/or federal laws.

How to Apply:

We're posting this position early to provide transparency about our process and to give students time to prepare their materials before finals if they wish. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and positions will remain open until filled. While we anticipate scheduling most interviews after finals, we recognize that students' timelines and schedules vary - we may reach out earlier where it makes sense, and we'll remain flexible in coordinating interview times. If you're facing a more pressing deadline with another firm, please let us know so we can respond promptly. You're welcome to apply when your materials are ready; there's no need to wait for all of your grades, as you can supplement your application later.

Applications will only be accepted online at www.fredlaw.com/careers, and applicants will initially be asked to submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and unofficial undergraduate transcript. Please note that there are separate applications for each office. While you can apply for both locations, we ask that you indicate why you are interested in a specific location in your cover letter.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. Applicants may supplement their legal transcripts by emailing lawrecruiting@fredlaw.com when grades become available but need not wait until grades are available before applying. For assistance with the application process, or for accommodations, please contact lawrecruiting@fredlaw.com.

Applicants may supplement their legal transcripts by emailing lawrecruiting@fredlaw.com. For assistance with the application process, or for accommodations, please contact lawrecruiting@fredlaw.com.