How it Works and FAQ
LiTD is a 10-week summer associate program primarily open to first-year law students in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston (other locations are possible upon the request of the law firm/tech company). The student typically becomes a full-fledged member of the law firm summer class, but then spends half of their summer at the in- house legal department of a tech company. If they perform well during the summer, they will typically be invited to return as a member of the law firm's second-year summer associate class. During the summer, the student participates in the law school summer program, and is also invited to LiTD's unique summer programming and mentorship opportunities.
Check out the rest of the Program pages to learn about the benefits of this program for students, companies, and firms, as well as the commitments of each!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should apply to LiTD?
All 1Ls from our partner schools who can demonstrate a strong track record of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership are welcome to apply. We do not collect or evaluate any demographic information. Students with any GPA are eligible, although most students who have been admitted to our program had a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. An interest in practicing law in the tech industry, either in-house or at a firm, is a plus.
Here is a list of our current 8 partner law schools:
LiTD tech companies conduct the initial review of the applicant pool as part of the school's OCI. During this initial hiring phase, we ask candidates for an application, including a cover letter and a resume. We evaluate candidates based on the following factors: writing, attending to detail, collaboration, enthusiasm for LiTD, leadership, commitment to DEI, and academics. In this phase, we are evaluating whether applicants are a good match for the LiTD program as a whole.
Once OCI concludes and the initial LiTD hiring pool is established, each tech company and law firm "pair" then partners together on the final hire of the summer associate. In this phase of hiring, each pair is hiring summers to work at their specific company/firm. Each law firm and tech company decide what criteria they will apply in the final hiring phase. They might take into account additional factors, such as geography and practice area interest, or place a stronger emphasis on certain factors such as grades or leadership.
How and when do students apply?
1Ls at our participating law schools should contact their Career Services Center (CSC) to inquire about LiTD. Your CSC will help you attend our information session during the late fall/early winter to help you learn more about our program. Your CSC will also publish our application packet -- typically right before or after winter break. One application to LiTD entitles the student to consideration by all of our participating companies and law firms!
Does LiTD ever hire 2Ls or students from different schools?
We may accept one-off applications from students depending on law firm and tech hiring needs. You may contact [email protected] to inquire further.
How and when do law firms and tech companies establish working relationships?
It is the responsibility of each tech company and law firm to find their own partnership. Most often, they do so through a pre-existing client relationship. Ideally, tech companies and law firms should identify their partner no later than the beginning of January. In some cases, we can grant more time but such extensions are usually not successful.
Who hires the students?
Typically, the law firm hires the student as a member of their summer class. However, in some cases we have also had tech companies who chose to hire the student directly as a summer intern. During our hiring process, we ask students if they would be open to this alternative arrangement.
Is LiTD in compliance with the recent SCOTUS decision on affirmative action (Student for Fair Admissions)?
Yes. All students are welcome to apply to LiTD. We do not collect or evaluate race, gender, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics. We do look for students who are actively engaged in DEI initiatives and who are committed to serving as community leaders in their legal careers.
Check out the rest of the Program pages to learn about the benefits of this program for students, companies, and firms, as well as the commitments of each!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should apply to LiTD?
All 1Ls from our partner schools who can demonstrate a strong track record of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership are welcome to apply. We do not collect or evaluate any demographic information. Students with any GPA are eligible, although most students who have been admitted to our program had a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. An interest in practicing law in the tech industry, either in-house or at a firm, is a plus.
Here is a list of our current 8 partner law schools:
- Howard University School of Law
- Loyola Law School
- Northeastern University School of Law
- Santa Clara University School of Law
- Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University
- UC Berkeley School of Law
- UC Davis School of Law
- UC Hastings College of the Law
LiTD tech companies conduct the initial review of the applicant pool as part of the school's OCI. During this initial hiring phase, we ask candidates for an application, including a cover letter and a resume. We evaluate candidates based on the following factors: writing, attending to detail, collaboration, enthusiasm for LiTD, leadership, commitment to DEI, and academics. In this phase, we are evaluating whether applicants are a good match for the LiTD program as a whole.
Once OCI concludes and the initial LiTD hiring pool is established, each tech company and law firm "pair" then partners together on the final hire of the summer associate. In this phase of hiring, each pair is hiring summers to work at their specific company/firm. Each law firm and tech company decide what criteria they will apply in the final hiring phase. They might take into account additional factors, such as geography and practice area interest, or place a stronger emphasis on certain factors such as grades or leadership.
How and when do students apply?
1Ls at our participating law schools should contact their Career Services Center (CSC) to inquire about LiTD. Your CSC will help you attend our information session during the late fall/early winter to help you learn more about our program. Your CSC will also publish our application packet -- typically right before or after winter break. One application to LiTD entitles the student to consideration by all of our participating companies and law firms!
Does LiTD ever hire 2Ls or students from different schools?
We may accept one-off applications from students depending on law firm and tech hiring needs. You may contact [email protected] to inquire further.
How and when do law firms and tech companies establish working relationships?
It is the responsibility of each tech company and law firm to find their own partnership. Most often, they do so through a pre-existing client relationship. Ideally, tech companies and law firms should identify their partner no later than the beginning of January. In some cases, we can grant more time but such extensions are usually not successful.
Who hires the students?
Typically, the law firm hires the student as a member of their summer class. However, in some cases we have also had tech companies who chose to hire the student directly as a summer intern. During our hiring process, we ask students if they would be open to this alternative arrangement.
Is LiTD in compliance with the recent SCOTUS decision on affirmative action (Student for Fair Admissions)?
Yes. All students are welcome to apply to LiTD. We do not collect or evaluate race, gender, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics. We do look for students who are actively engaged in DEI initiatives and who are committed to serving as community leaders in their legal careers.