Summer Program
Bernstein Shur's summer program is designed to expose law students to
the full breadth of our practice. By working with talented attorneys on
challenging legal issues, summer associates gain a realistic picture of
practicing law at our firm. Our summer program is the preferred means by which
the firm identifies new attorneys for permanent positions.
To learn more, contact Joan M. Fortin, Director of Attorney
Recruiting and Business Development, at 207 774-1200 or jfortin@bernsteinshur.com.
HIrIng CrIterIA
Each year, Bernstein Shur offers a 10-12 week summer program for qualified 
second-year law students drawn from law schools across
the country. Exceptional first year students are occasionally included in our
program.
Academically, the candidates we hire are at or near the top of their law school
and undergraduate classes. Successful applicants must also possess exceptional
maturity, motivation, and self-confidence. Because Bernstein Shur believes in
commitment to the communities in which we practice, candidates must also
demonstrate strong civic-mindedness.
pro Bono ServICe optIon
Bernstein Shur has a long-standing commitment to pro bono service. Each year,
our attorneys spend hundreds of hours contributing legal and other advice to
charitable organizations throughout Maine and New Hampshire. Bernstein Shur
offers a special 12-week option to summer program participants during which
time the student may commit up to four weeks of time to a local legal service
provider whose mission is to assure universal access to justice. Students will
work directly with organizations such as The Maine Bar Foundation; Pine Tree
Legal Assistance, Inc.; Legal Services for the Elderly; the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project; and New Hampshire Legal Services.
This opportunity is unique to our firm and highlights our commitment to
community — a core value that our attorneys have shared since the founding of
the firm in 1915.
Click here to read more about Bernstein Shur's Pro Bono Fellowship.
tHe progrAM
Bernstein Shur believes that talented attorneys start their careers with a
foundation of superior mentoring, hands-on experience, and raw intelligence.
We carefully craft work assignments to provide students with the opportunity
to work on substantive projects with our most experienced lawyers. Summer
associates rotate through the firm's practice groups and become an integral
part of the cases to which they are assigned. Last year, our students observed
or participated with our attorneys in:
- Real Estate Closings
- Trials
- Mediations and Arbitrations
- Hearings
- Depositions
- Negotiations and
- Client meetings
The goal of our program is to expose law students to a wide variety of
substantive practice areas.
FeeDBACk
Bernstein Shur is committed to ensuring that summer associates have an
exceptional learning experience. 
We believe that feedback is a critical
aspect of our program. All participants receive substantive one-on-one feedback
from attorneys who generate assignments. Additionally, the chair of the
program, who reviews all written materials and meets with the lawyers with whom
the candidate has worked, provides a comprehensive mid- and end-of-
summer formal evaluation.
Mentor AnD Work FLoW
Each summer associate is assigned a trained mentor whose role is to provide
consistent guidance as each student moves through our program. Mentors answer
questions, provide suggestions, and ensure an optimal working relationship
between the student and the attorneys generating assignments. The mentor also
ensures that the amount and type of work assigned is appropriate.
SoCIAL gAtHerIngS
Summer associates participate in a wide variety of social events which are
undertaken by the firm and its practice groups over the course of the summer.
These may include lobster bakes, sailing adventures, visits to Casco Bay’s
islands, attendance at Portland’s Triple-A baseball team games, museum
visits, and informal barbeques.
Bernstein Shur has both your professional development and personal
satisfaction in mind. If you believe that you have the skills and talent that
we are looking for, please contact Joan M. Fortin, Director of Attorney
Recruiting and Business Development, at 207 774-1200 or jfortin@bernsteinshur.com.