We are no longer accepting applications for 2012 summer associate positions.

Introduction and Overview of Our Summer Associate Program

Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland’s summer associate program is designed to give students a snapshot of what life at our law firm would be like as an associate and, eventually, as a member. Life at our firm is unlike what most students would find at other firms. Excerpts from our firm credo give a good example of how we view the practice of law:

• “We practice as a firm, not as individuals.”
• “In all matters, we shall undertake to represent each of our clients as we would want to be represented.”
• “We strive to enable our employees to grow to their highest potential while rewarding their personal efforts and contributions.”
• “We recognize our obligations to our families and to the community in which we live and work.”
• “We support civic activities and encourage our members to participate in them.”
• “We reject, however, the concept that the practice of law is to be shaped by a profit orientation which diverts and obstructs us from the achievement of our professional goals. We view our ultimate objective as the rendering of quality service.”

We are looking to hire bright, motivated and well-rounded law students with skills that will enhance the firm's goals and credo. The firm prides itself on involving its summer associates in work assignments that are challenging, substantive, reflect the realities of practicing law, and provide value both to the summer associate and the client for whom the work is performed.

Hiring Criteria and Interview Process: Who are we looking for?

We invite second-year law students to participate in our program.
We consider a variety of factors when selecting summer associates for our firm, such as academic record, involvement in journals and/or moot court, work and leadership experience, law school activities, community involvement, and a commitment to the Seattle area.

The varied backgrounds of our attorneys are what make our firm unique. We focus on team players, and intelligent, motivated, talented individuals with wide-ranging interests when making hiring decisions.

Our search for summer associates begins in August and ends in October. We interview on campus at the University of Washington School of Law and the Seattle University School of Law. We also welcome applications from students attending law schools in other states. When candidates receive and accept an invitation to interview with us, they typically meet with three to five attorneys on the Hiring Committee in our office.

The Firm: What do we do and what can you expect?

Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC is a leader in providing legal counsel and representation for Pacific Northwest businesses—small and large, privately-held and public, domestic and international. In an increasingly complex world, we distinguish ourselves by combining creative problem-solving with a common-sense approach. Our constant focus is to provide clients with sound advice and practical solutions in a cost-effective manner.

Based in Seattle since 1897, the firm has steadily built its reputation and success by maintaining a commitment to exceptional representation and unparalleled client service. Today, our nearly 50 lawyers and 50 support personnel remain dedicated to our tradition of excellence. That dedication, together with our unique combination of skills, specialties and backgrounds, enables us to handle sophisticated transactions and complex multi-party lawsuits without sacrificing the personal attention our clients deserve.

A few of the firm’s representative clients include: Evergreen Bank; HSBC Bank of Canada; Intrawest Corporation; Kyokuyo America Corporation; Methanex Corporation; New Albertsons, Inc.; Nintendo of America Inc.; Nitze-Stagen & Co.; PMC-Sierra Ltd.; Rosetta Inpharmatics, Inc.; SSA Marine, Inc.; and Transgroup Worldwide Logistics.

On-the-Job Training: How will you grow?

Our summer associate program is designed to give our summer associates hands-on experience through participation in depositions, discovery, client conferences, trials and transaction closings. By the end of the summer, associates not only know what it's like to work at the firm, but have had the opportunity to experience life in Seattle. We plan summer events that are true to who we are: fun, relaxed and informal.

Our summer associates are given challenging assignments and the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of practice areas. They are encouraged to work independently as well as collaboratively. They receive practical experience in all areas of the law researching and drafting memoranda, pleadings and briefs, corporate documents and letters to clients. Summer associates may also attend depositions, mediations, hearings, closings, client meetings, trials and other business activities. They are immediately involved in firm activities, such as associate meetings, practice group meetings, and training sessions.

We plan a number of social and cultural events throughout the summer to help our summer associates get to know people at the firm and in the Seattle area. The summer associates regularly enjoy lunches and after work social functions with our attorneys.

Our attorneys strive to provide a well-rounded learning experience and feedback regarding our summer associates’ work throughout the summer. One of our goals is to ensure each summer associate receives challenging, diverse and rewarding work that is of value to the firm's attorneys and clients.

Our summer associates receive a salary competitive with similar firms in the area.