Morrison Foerster ("MoFo") is seeking first-year law students ready to tackle complex, challenging problems and eager to launch a career in patent law. Our Two-Summer Patent Program develops the next generation of MoFo patent litigators over two full summers, and it's built around three things: Impact, Innovation, and Investment.
Impact: From your first summer, you take on work that matters, the kind of assignments our junior associates receive. Working alongside an active patent litigation team on substantive client matters, you will:
- Draft briefs, motions, and client memoranda;
- Participate in depositions and witness preparation; and
- Perform in-depth research on relevant case topics.
Innovation: MoFo is a global patent litigation powerhouse, called on for the highest profile, most complex patent disputes in the technology, life sciences, and consumer products industries. From cross-border and multiparty disputes to global litigation management and non-practicing entity (NPE) litigation, we develop novel solutions to protect and enforce some of the world's most prized intellectual property, and you'll see that work up close in real time.
Investment: The program is designed to help develop you as a patent lawyer. Over two summers, you will:
- Receive immersive training across every facet of patent litigation;
- Accelerate your skills through our signature Patent Boot Camp;
- Benefit from dedicated mentorship by our nationally recognized IP partners;
- Access financial support to prepare for and take the USPTO registration exam, if eligible; and
- Become eligible for a $40,000 bonus.*
Who You Are- A first-year law student in good standing, enrolled in a J.D. program at an ABA-accredited law school;
- Authorized to work in the United States (U.S. citizenship or valid work authorization required);
- Dedicated to pursuing a career in IP litigation and planning to join this practice group upon graduation;
- Candidates should have a background in engineering, computer science, physics, chemistry, or life sciences; and
- A demonstrated record of academic achievement, with strong writing and interpersonal skills, proven leadership, and active community involvement.
Application ProcessApplications will be accepted through February 28, 2027. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis from October 1 through November 20, 2026, and then will resume in late December.
All applicants must submit the following documents as pdfs:
- Résumé;
- Cover letter indicating your office location preference(s);
- Transcripts for all degrees (completed and in-progress); and
- A writing sample (5 to 12 pages).
*To complete the program and receive the $40,000 bonus, summer associates must spend both their 1L and their 2L summers with the firm (no split summers) and must receive and accept an offer of full-time employment to join the IP Litigation Group following law school graduation.
CompensationSummer associate compensation is set to align with first-year associate salaries at $225,000 for the class of 2026. This amount may be modified in the future. Health and wellness benefits and paid holidays may also be included.