Overview
Google Legal Summer Institute (LSI) is a unique experience where underrepresented 2L law school students are invited to spend the first week of their 2L summer at Google’s headquarters immersed in legal knowledge sessions followed by a full summer associateship with one of LSI’s partner law firms. LSI aims to improve access to in-house careers at tech companies by expanding opportunities and removing barriers for underrepresented talent in the legal industry.
LSI scholars are a diverse group of students with interests across all legal practice areas. We consider full-time and part-time 2L students who are attending school in the US. Students who identify with a group that is historically underrepresented in the technology industry are especially encouraged to apply: Black+, Latinx, Native American, LGBTQ+, students with disabilities and veterans.
Objectives
LSI measures success through four objectives:
- Providing scholars with summer associateships at prestigious law firms
- Providing early exposure to in-house careers at Google for students underrepresented in the legal field
- Sharing information across the corporate sector regarding best practices to develop a legal internship program that prioritizes underrepresented talent
- Improving diversity within law firms, especially Google’s outside counsel
LSI scholars will participate in Google’s learning and development culture through a week of dynamic and skill-based learning opportunities to enhance their legal skillset.
Law firm participation
LSI is a paid opportunity and we request that all participating partner firms pay LSI scholars the same weekly rate as their other summer associates for the week at Google and the full summer program with the participating law firm.
There are no specific requirements regarding scholars’ law firm work assignments, however we recommend that assignments provide a good balance of quality and quantity and contain substance and variety.
Office placement location will be at the discretion of the law firm and the student.
Mentorship
The program enables LSI scholars to develop their networking skills by connecting with and investing in a mentor. A Google mentor is an unbiased resource, untied to the scholar’s work, who will aid in the scholar’s development by expanding their Googler network, providing legal career advice, sharing insight into outside counsel firms and building an authentic relationship.
Exposure
The LSI team facilitates candid conversations with top legal leaders throughout their week at Google. Past speakers include Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google General Counsel, and Kent Walker, Google Chief Legal Officer.
Community and diversity
LSI scholars and Google Legal Team members are able to pursue interests and participate in the company’s inclusive culture, in which everyone is a direct contributor and encouraged to share ideas and opinions. Scholars, who represent a diverse set of backgrounds and have an array of unique skills, are encouraged to engage with and learn from Googlers through workshops and social events throughout the week at Google.
