Morrison Foerster (“MoFo”) will be awarding a two-summer Wetmore Fellowship in our San Diego office to highly motivated first-year law students with a demonstrated commitment to embracing inclusion and accessibility in the legal industry. Students can apply to one office location only.

Recipients of the Wetmore Fellowship will receive:

•  A paid summer associate position in a U.S. office following their first year and second year of law school;

• A team of attorney mentors during each Summer Associate Program;

• An opportunity to be considered for a full-time associate position after law school graduation, assuming satisfactory performance; and

• A $50,000 fellowship award.*

The Summer Associate Experience

MoFo’s Summer Associate Program is built around three things: Impact, Innovation, and Investment.

Impact: You take on work that matters, the kind of assignments our junior associates receive. Working directly with our lawyers on substantive client matters, you will:

• Prepare drafts of briefs, motions, contracts, and client memoranda;

• Participate in drafting and negotiation sessions;

• Attend depositions and witness preparation sessions; and

• Support due diligence on corporate transactions.

Innovation: You’ll see the range of MoFo’s work up close, from representing leading technology and life sciences companies to cross-border deals and novel legal questions. Practice group presentations and substantive assignments give you a genuine feel for the full breadth of the firm.

Investment: We don’t just hire talent; we invest in it. From your first day, you’ll have real support: formal mentorship, hands-on training in practice-specific and professional skills, and firm and social events that connect you with lawyers and business professionals across the firm.

Who We Are

MoFo is a destination law firm where ambitious lawyers do their best work. We take on our clients’ most complex and consequential matters, and we develop the people behind them. The lawyers who thrive here bring curiosity, ownership, and a genuine commitment to the work and to one another.

We’re deeply committed to our values, pro bono work, and inclusivity. To learn more, explore our digital resources, including our interactive Summer Associate Program brochure, virtual job simulations, the MoFo+ blog, and topic-based playlists on MoFo To-Go.

Who You Are

• A first-year law student in good standing, enrolled in a full-time J.D. program at an ABA-accredited law school;

• Authorized to work in the United States (U.S. citizenship or valid work authorization required);

• Proven ties to the San Diego area;

• Able to bring a diverse perspective to the firm because of your adaptability, resilience, and life experiences; and

• A demonstrated record of academic achievement, with strong writing and interpersonal skills, proven leadership, and active community involvement.
  

Application Process

Applications 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 in .pdf form:

• Résumé

• Transcripts for all degrees (completed and in-progress)

• Cover letter

• Personal statement of 500 words or less explaining:

  1. What led you to pursue a law degree.

  2. Your interest in MoFo.

  3. Concrete examples of:

     1. Your commitment to inclusion within your community or otherwise, and/or

     2. How your life experiences have shaped your unique ability to contribute to MoFo, including its commitment to inclusivity.

*$50,000 fellowship award distributed in up to two installments contingent upon satisfactory completion of each Summer Associate Program and acceptance of an offer to return as a full-time associate following law school graduation.

Compensation

Summer 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.

EEO Statement

Morrison Foerster provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. The firm does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of an individual’s sex (including in connection with pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), creed, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, age, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, transgender status, domestic partner status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.