FAQs

Dechert's application will open Novemeber 1, 2026. 

During this recruiting cycle, we are only seeking the class of 2029 to join our 2028 summer associate program. 

Hiring decisions are made on a holistic basis. We look for a demonstrated record of strong academic performance at both the law school and undergraduate levels, and relevant prior work experience.  

Yes. We participate in on campus interview programs at a variety of law schools nationwide. Please check with your career services team to see if Dechert will patriciate at your law schools on campus interviewing programming.

Yes. We review applications as materials are received. 

You can update your materials at any time using the link provided in your confirmation email when you apply. 

Candidates may choose to interview either in person or virtually, and are scheduled based on their preference.  

Candidates will meet with four attorneys back-to-back, with each meeting lasting twenty to thirty minutes.  

Dechert will reimburse all reasonable travel-related expenses incurred during your trip. If you have questions about what qualifies as a reasonable expense, please contact your local recruiting contact before submitting for reimbursement. 

Book all travel and accommodations through your designated “host” firm. Keep receipts for any additional approved expenses (e.g., ground transportation, meals, etc.) and submit them to your host firm along with a completed NALP Travel Expenses Reimbursement Form. Costs will then be distributed across firms. 

Our goal is to communicate hiring decisions to candidates as quickly as possible, while allowing ample time to review application materials and gather feedback from all interviewing attorneys. 

If you still have questions after receiving an offer from Dechert, please reach out to your local recruiting contact. If you’re unsure who that is, please contact the Dechert U.S. Recruiting Team at early.careers@dechertcareers.com. 

Students pursuing a joint degree are generally eligible to apply for a summer position during the summer prior to their last year of school.

U.S. LL.M. students are treated like 3Ls. Generally, we do not hire students in foreign LL.M. programs until we have at least one semester of grades from a U.S. law school.

The process for hiring 3Ls is driven by each practice group. We accept write-in applications from 3Ls, and encourage applicants to submit a resume and transcript to early.careers@dechertcareers.com along with a cover letter identifying the practice group in which they are interested. If the practice group has a need, an applicant may be invited in for interviews.

In 2026 we hosted a 10 week program from May 18 - July 24. The timing and duration of the program is the same across all U.S. offices.

The following offices host a formal Summer Program: Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington. 

U.S. summer associates are paid $4,326.92 a week, which is a prorated first-year associate salary of $225,000.

Summer associates receive formal reviews at the middle and end of the summer program. In addition, the lawyers with whom you work with will provide informal feedback as projects are completed throughout the summer.

Our summer associate program is built around your interests. You can choose to spend your summer in one practice group, or sample several of them. There is no formal rotation through certain pre-selected practice groups or departments.

Yes. Each summer associate is assigned at least one mentor. Mentors help ensure that you have a meaningful work experience, and also serve as a general resource for questions and guidance.

Absolutely! Dechert is committed to providing relevant, engaging and specialized training to our attorneys. This begins on day one of the summer program when all summer associates come together for a multi-day, interactive orientation in New York. During orientation, summer associates learn about Dechert’s history and culture, its Diversity and Inclusion initiatives and its commitment to pro bono. Training continues after orientation with various formal, hands-on training programs, including mock negotiations and mock depositions.

Summer associates learn about Dechert’s core practice areas and attend regular practice group meetings and training sessions. They also participate in Dechert’s industry-recognized Critical Skills Institute Program which helps to develop leadership, management, communication and client relations skills. 

Summer associates are given challenging, substantive assignments working on the most sophisticated matters in the legal market. Summer associates also have the opportunity to attend depositions, client meetings, hearings, board meetings and other proceedings.

As both a summer associate and an associate, you will work with attorneys in other offices. Dechert is organized along practice group lines making cross-office staffing common and allowing you to work with colleagues across geographic lines.

No, summer associates do not have the opportunity to spend time in the firm’s international offices.  

Summer associate splits between two Dechert offices or between Dechert and another firm are decided on a case-by-case basis. If a summer associate is splitting the summer with a different firm, we require that the summer associate start at Dechert and spend the first half of the program  with us to take part in orientation and other key summer events. 

The annual target is 1,950 billable hours. Associates are encouraged to devote up to 200 hours of their time to pro bono legal work, which is credited toward annual billable hours. All lawyers are required to perform at least 25 hours of pro bono work per year.

Dechert is a fully integrated firm consisting of 16 offices organized along practice group lines. Within practice groups, the firm offers associates geographic flexibility. A Dechert associate can usually relocate as long as the associate’s practice group is represented in the office to which the associate wishes to move.

Each Dechert office finds fun ways to bring colleagues together, both in and out of the office. Think everything from sporting events to major concerts; cooking classes to wine tastings. We believe some of the best connections happen outside the conference room.