Students

Work on real, meaningful assignments  

As a Summer Associate, you’ll be integrated into existing client and deal teams and will take on a variety of projects. Our Summer Program committee team oversees work assignments to ensure a mix of transactions across practices and teams that may provide experience related to:  

• Venture financings 
• Commercial transactions 
• Mergers and acquisitions 
• Technology licensing 
• Privacy compliance 
• Venture fund formation 

We encourage Summer Associates to explore each of our practice areas so they can gain exposure to the full company lifecycle and client needs. By the end of our program, you will have gained direct experience with the emerging technology marketplace and insight into building a career at Gunderson Dettmer. 

Develop world-class technical knowledge & skills  

We view your time as a Summer Associate as the beginning of your legal career at Gunderson Dettmer. Our goal is to develop your legal and business skillset with a robust training curriculum that mirrors our firm’s associate trainings, and includes additional programming specifically designed for Summer Associates. Our professional development programs feature speakers and panels to help you get to know our attorneys, their practices and our firm’s culture and expertise.  

Connect with mentors eager to support you 

Not only will you have access to the expertise of 400 attorneys serving the venture capital ecosystem, but you’ll also be assigned to a mentor pod comprised of partners and associates who will help you along your journey at Gunderson Dettmer. Your mentors will be valuable connections who support your integration and learning throughout the course of the Summer Program and beyond. Plus, you’ll develop informal mentor relationships through work assignments, training programs, and social events. 

At Gunderson Dettmer, hard work and humility prevail. We recruit law students who demonstrate the skills and business acumen to integrate successfully and contribute immediately. Our successful Summer Associate candidates have a demonstrated record of academic success, excellent interpersonal skills, strong business judgment, an entrepreneurial spirit and an interest in the emerging companies and venture capital (EC/VC) legal space. Prior experience in technology or life sciences at a startup or in a venture environment is always a plus. 

We are a human-driven practice. We believe everyone deserves an inclusive work environment where they can thrive, individually and as a team. Through our commitment to diversity and inclusion (D&I), we actively recruit, retain, and promote professionals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs. Beyond our walls, we’re continuously looking for new ways to address the broader challenges of diversity within the venture capital ecosystem. 

From D&I Committees to Affinity Groups and ongoing Mentorship & Development Programs, learn more about how we’re cultivating a culture where everyone feels a deep sense of belonging. 

To be eligible for the 2L ECVC Diversity Fellowship, you must: 

• Be enrolled and in good standing at an ABA-accredited law school  
• Have an interest in a future career in venture capital and emerging companies 
• Have an anticipated graduation date of 2028 at the time of application 

Diversity Fellows may not be recipients of a diversity-related award from another law firm. They may not be a client or an immediate family member of a Gunderson Dettmer client and/or employee, and they may not be currently employed by Gunderson Dettmer. 

Success looks different for everyone, and we believe it should be evaluated holistically. We will consider your demonstrated interest in emerging companies and venture capital; your commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; the quality of your personal statement; and your personal, professional, leadership, community, and/or academic achievements. In other words, we want to get to know you. 

Interested 2Ls are encouraged to apply early as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Applications open on December 1, 2025 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  We understand that first semester grades will not be available until early 2026, so transcripts can be submitted once they become available. Initial interviews will be conducted virtually, while in-person callbacks can be accommodated depending on location. Applications must contain:  

• Current resume 
• Undergraduate transcript (unofficial copy will suffice) 
• Graduate transcripts (if applicable; unofficial copy will suffice) 
• Law school transcript (once available; unofficial copy will suffice) 
• Two personal statements (see the prompts listed below), taking into account your personal, professional and/or academic experience and accomplishments, especially as they relate to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and contributions to your own personal growth or that of others; community service; demonstrated leadership and any other notable experience.
  • • Why are you interested in emerging companies and venture capital? (250 words or less) 
    • How has your interest in and experience with diversity, equity and inclusion influenced your personal, academic and/or professional goals and accomplishments? (1,000 words or less) 

We’re here to help. Please reach out to Legal Recruiting at recruiting@gunder.com for inquiries about the 2L ECVC Diversity Fellowship.