At Goodwin, The Goodwin Way defines who we are – trusted partners who help our clients overcome their most complex challenges. We operate at the highest levels of the legal profession, delivering exceptional results built on lasting relationships grounded in humility, trust, and respect.
Through our 1L Fellowship Program, we recruit and cultivate the next generation of top-tier legal talent – law students who distinguish themselves through academic excellence, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to innovation and client service. We seek individuals whose perseverance and resilience reflect both exceptional ability and character, and who embody the values that define success at Goodwin: collaboration, inclusion, ownership and excellence.
- 1L Fellows will spend the full 10-week summer program working in their preferred Goodwin office.
- During the summer program, 1L Fellows will gain hands-on experience working on high-impact, cutting-edge matters for our clients. They will refine their legal and professional skills through immersive training, experience The Goodwin Way in action, and forge meaningful connections with the firm’s attorneys and fellow summer associates;
- 1L Fellows are compensated for the full 10-week program at the standard summer associate salary; and
- Candidates who receive the 1L Fellowship will automatically receive an offer for our 2027 Summer Program plus an additional $75,000 scholarship.
To become a Goodwin 1L Fellow, a candidate must be a 1L or 2E law student enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school, with an expected graduation date of spring 2028. Successful applicants must demonstrate:
- Exceptional academic performance;
- Alignment with The Goodwin Way;
- Outstanding leadership abilities and a results-driven mindset;
- Genuine interest in Goodwin’s core industries and commitment to client excellence; and
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
To remain eligible, a candidate may not participate in a similar program or be an award recipient at another law firm. A candidate must not be an immediate family member of a Goodwin lawyer or employee and may not be a Goodwin client or an employee of a Goodwin client.
Candidates interested in applying must complete the online application, which includes a cover letter, resume, undergraduate transcript, law school transcript, and a personal statement.
We ask that students follow up by submitting their law school transcript to their local legal recruiting contact once first semester grades become available. Note, offers will not be extended until 1L fall transcripts are received.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Suited Assessment
Goodwin has partnered with Suited, a candidate screening platform, to help us better understand our applicants and expand access to our Summer Associate program. You will receive an email shortly after you submit your application on how to complete the assessment as a part of your application.
Personal Statement Prompts
Your personal statement should be a thoughtful reflection of the prompts outlined below. Note that responses to the first two prompts are mandatory, you must respond to one of The Goodwin Way prompts, and a response to the last industry immersion prompt is optional.
General Prompts (200 – 400 words per prompt):- Describe a time when you have demonstrated perseverance and resilience in your personal, academic or professional life. What was the situation, what specific actions did you take, and what was the outcome? Focus on your personal role in overcoming or navigating the situation.
- Share a moment or experience (academic, extracurricular, personal or professional) when you pursued excellence. What motivated you to go above and beyond, and what was the outcome of your efforts?
- We build relationships based on humility, trust and respect. We are all in as individuals and win as a team: Describe an instance where you prioritized your team’s success over individual recognition or a time you made a meaningful contribution to a team. How did collaboration shape the process and the result?
- We seek continuous improvement: Reflect on a time you took an innovative approach to improve a process, system or outcome. What did you learn from the experience, and how has it influenced your approach to future challenges?
- We are results-oriented and operate with an owner’s mindset: Provide an example of when you acted with an owner’s mindset to achieve results. How did this mindset shape your approach and the success of your efforts?
- We are inclusive in all we do: Share an experience of when you helped ensure others felt included, respected or valued and/or helped to build bridges. How did this strengthen your relationships or your team’s success?
- We have an immersive understanding of our clients’ industries: Please describe any prior or current academic, professional, or personal experiences or passions that have shaped your interest in one or more of our industries. How do you see these experiences or passions contributing to your perspective and skillset as a future lawyer on the Goodwin team?