Leydig, Voit & Mayer IP Law Fellowship

Leydig offers an IP Law Fellowship as part of its summer associate program for students finishing their 1L year.  As a summer associate, the Fellow will gain a wide range of IP experience in patent law.  All summer associates will receive guidance from both a mentor and “buddies” as part of our program.  Upon completion of the 1L summer, the Fellow may be eligible for a second summer in the firm’s summer associate program.  Fellows will receive a paid summer associate position in our Chicago office as well as a stipend as follows:

• $41,000 for the 10-week summer program; and
• $10,000 stipend following successful completion of the IP Law Fellowship.

Applications for the 2025 IP Law Fellowship are open through March 1^st.

Eligibility

We welcome applications from 1L law students who:

• Have a technical background in biology, genetics, cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology or a related field;
• Registered (or eligible to register) to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO);
• Enrolled full-time in an ABA-accredited law school with an anticipated graduation date of 2027 at the time of application;
• Can participate in and complete the Leydig 2025 Summer Associate Program; and
• Will not be the recipient of an award from another law firm paid between January 1, 2025 and August 31, 2025.

Selection criteria

Candidates will be selected based on consideration of the following factors:

• Distinctive background, life experience and perspective;
• Academic achievement;
• Commitment to IP Law;
• Personal accomplishment;
• Demonstrated leadership ability; and
• Background in biology, genetics, cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology or a related field, though all candidates will be carefully considered based on the factors identified above.

Application process

Applications must include:

• A personal statement – no more than one page in length, demonstrating achievement of the selection criteria for the IP Law Fellowship;
• Current resume;
• Undergraduate transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable);
• Graduate program transcript(s), if applicable; and
• Law school transcript following the receipt of first term grades.

Please note all of the required information must be attached for the application to be considered. Applications can be submitted to lawcareers@leydig.com.

For 1L students in the 2024-2025 academic year, applications must be received by March 1^st.  Selected applicants will be contacted to arrange for personal interviews.

Leydig offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.

As a provider of legal services to U.S. government agencies, Leydig participates in the E-Verify program.