Law Clerk (2L) – Summer & Academic Year

Build your litigation skills on cases that matter.

McEldrew Purtell is seeking an exceptional rising 2L to join our litigation team for a full-time summer clerkship, continuing part-time during the academic year. You'll work alongside experienced trial lawyers on catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, receiving meaningful assignments, individualized mentorship, and direct exposure to every stage of litigation.

Our law clerks become part of a collaborative trial team where every assignment contributes to active, high-stakes cases on behalf of individuals and families whose lives have been permanently changed.

What You'll Do

As a Law Clerk, you'll work closely with attorneys on active litigation, including:

• Researching and drafting memoranda, motions, and briefs
• Assisting with written discovery and document review
• Organizing and analyzing medical records and case materials
• Summarizing depositions and preparing witness files
• Supporting expert witness development and trial preparation
• Conducting legal and factual research on complex issues
• Assisting with client and witness interviews
• Observing depositions, hearings, mediations, and trials whenever possible

Every assignment receives substantive attorney feedback because we view this position as a training opportunity, not simply extra help.

What You'll Learn

At McEldrew Purtell, you'll gain practical litigation experience while working directly with attorneys committed to developing future trial lawyers.

You'll receive:

• One-on-one mentorship from experienced litigators
• Detailed feedback and redlined drafts on your writing
• Exposure to litigation strategy and case development
• Opportunities to attend depositions, court hearings, focus groups, and mediations
• Experience working within trial teams handling complex, high-value cases

Our Practice

Our attorneys represent individuals and families in complex civil litigation, including:

• Catastrophic Injury
• Wrongful Death
• Medical Malpractice
• Trucking & Commercial Vehicle Collisions
• Product Liability
• Premises Liability
• Construction & Workplace Accidents
• Civil Rights Litigation
• Railroad & FELA Claims
• Toxic Tort
• Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Qualifications

We're looking for someone who is:

• An incoming or rising 2L at an ABA-accredited law school
• Available full-time during the summer and 12–20 hours per week during the academic year
• A strong legal researcher and writer
• Organized, detail-oriented, and intellectually curious
• Interested in plaintiff-side litigation and trial advocacy
• Passionate about growing into a trial lawyer
• Professional, compassionate, and eager to learn

Prior litigation experience is welcome but not required.

Schedule

• Full-time during the summer before 2L year (typically 35–40 hours per week)
• Part-time during the following academic year (12–20 hours per week)
• Flexible scheduling around class commitments once the school year begins
• Hybrid or in-office opportunities depending on school schedule and firm needs

Why McEldrew Purtell?

Our attorneys maintain lean caseloads, allowing us to devote substantial time and resources to every client. We believe law students learn best by doing meaningful work, receiving thoughtful feedback, and participating in real litigation, not observing from the sidelines. A full-time summer start gives you the runway to get up to speed on our cases and workflows, so you're contributing meaningfully from day one once the academic year begins.

If you're looking for a clerkship that will sharpen your writing, strengthen your litigation skills, and provide firsthand experience inside a plaintiff trial practice, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply

Please submit your resume, transcript (if available), and a writing sample. A cover letter is welcome but not required.

Pay: $20.00 per hour

Work Location: In person