ClickCease Summer Associates

Summer Associate Program

Unlock Your Legal Potential: Join Our Summer Associate Program

At Walkup Melodia Kelly & Schoenberger, we recruit exceptional law students who demonstrate promise and talent. We reward their ability and initiative by providing opportunities to learn from experienced trial attorneys and work on matters of real consequence.

What We Offer

Real-World Experience

Work on actual cases alongside seasoned attorneys. You'll gain practical experience that law school can't teach.

Mentorship

Benefit from the guidance and insights of experienced trial attorneys dedicated to your professional growth.

Professional Development

Attend workshops run by our Partners focused on developing crucial legal skills, ranging from litigation strategies to client advocacy.

Collaborative Environment

Work in a supportive, collegial atmosphere that encourages teamwork and innovation.

Networking Opportunities

Build connections with professionals and peers that will last a lifetime.

Program Highlights

Engage in Meaningful Work

As a Summer Associate, you will be involved in significant aspects of our cases. From drafting pleadings and motions to attending depositions and court hearings, you'll be an integral part of our team.

Interactive Workshops

Participate in workshops to enhance legal research, writing, and trial preparation skills. Learn from top practitioners in the field of personal injury law.

Summer Associate Evening Reception

Connect with our attorneys and fellow summer associates at our exclusive evening reception. Enjoy a night of networking and camaraderie in a fun and relaxed setting.

Brief Writing Contest

Showcase your writing skills in our annual Brief Writing Contest. Compete for prizes and receive valuable feedback on your work product from our senior attorneys.

San Francisco Giants Game

You will join us in our suite for a fun outing to a San Francisco Giants game! It's a perfect opportunity to bond with your colleagues and experience the local culture.

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Summer Associates Compilation Video 2023

What Our Former Summer Associates Are Saying:

“What I enjoyed most was the ability to do real work. Actually getting to participate in preparing for trials, participate in preparing for depositions, and at my luckiest getting to prepare for a motion before the court.” – CJ/UC College of the Law SF

“My experience at Walkup was amazing. I got to see so many different parts of a case. I had a Birdseye view of the litigation lifecycle. It was a great summer and I really feel like I was given intentional assignments to help me learn about what it’s like to be a plaintiff’s lawyer.” – SL/UC Berkeley School of Law

“My experience here was very enriching and eventful. I had an opportunity to dive into certain areas of the law that I had only read cases about and only learned in the classroom.” –MK/UC College of the Law SF

“The attorneys here are spectacular, not only because of their immense skill, knowledge, and background, but also the kindness, humility, and humble attitude they show to their clients.” —K.A., Santa Clara University

How to Apply

Ready to embark on a rewarding summer experience? Apply now to join our Summer Associate Program at Walkup Melodia Kelly & Schoenberger.

Application Requirements: Include a resume, cover letter, and writing samples

Contact Us:

Walkup Melodia Kelly & Schoenberger

650 California Street

San Francisco, California 94108

415-981-7210

Email Address: hr@walkuplawoffice.com

Join us this summer and take the first step towards a successful career in personal injury law. At Walkup Melodia Kelly & Schoenberger, we are committed to your growth and success.

Three Walkup Firm partners’ long track record of multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements, commitment to legal education and public service outside the courtroom, placed them on Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers in America for 2024.
The annual Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America is the most elite distinction in the profession, covering the best of the best in all practice areas.
Best Lawyers® is compiled annually by conducting peer-review surveys in which leading attorneys confidentially evaluate their professional peers. Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger has ranked consistently year after year as a Top Tier firm nationally in the specialty of mass tort litigation/class actions and regionally ranked as a Top Tier firm in personal injury litigation and more.
Attorneys from the Walkup Law Firm were honored in the 2021 Super Lawyers Top Lists, including Top 10 Northern California Lawyers, Top 100 Northern California Lawyers, and Top 50 Women Lawyers in Northern California. The Super Lawyers publication has consistently named Mike Kelly a “Top Ten” honoree, and in 2020 and 2021 he received recognition as the #1 “Vote Getter” in all of Northern California.
The Walkup Law Firm’s dedication to helping injured consumers hold corporate giants accountable for wrongdoing has once again earned it a top spot this year on the list of The Recorder’s Best of 2024 Awards for Personal Injury Law Firms in California. We are also proud to be awarded the Hall of Fame status for winning three of the last six years.
The Walkup Firm is the only firm in Northern California to have two firm members honored with admission to The Inner Circle of Advocates, the most exclusive honorary society in the country honoring the top100 Plaintiff personal injury lawyers in America. Admission requires a demonstrated history of multimillion-dollar verdicts coupled with a record of public service.
Each year, American Association for Justice honors trial lawyers, affiliates, and advocates who support its fight for justice.
The CAL-ABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year is awarded annually to a recipient exhibiting the best traits of a trial lawyer – excellence in advocacy, a distinguished career, and a reputation for civility, ethics, and fair play. Each of the eight CAL-ABOTA chapters is entitled to nominate a candidate for Trial Lawyer of the Year, considered the highest honor a California trial lawyer can receive. Written and oral presentations are submitted to CAL-ABOTA’s board, followed by selecting the award recipient by majority vote.
As leaders in the areas of personal injury and wrongful death litigation, the Walkup Law Firm has been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell, most recently in 2021 when the firm received an “AV” rating, the highest rating given on the platform. The Martindale-Hubbell AV rating reflects the highest possible grade for legal competence and ethical conduct. Selection is based on confidential evaluations submitted by lawyers and judges and documents the esteem with which a lawyer’s peers rank them.
Throughout its history, the Walkup firm has been honored to have seven different members elected to this Academy of elite trial lawyers. Michael A. Kelly, Richard Schoenberger, and Doris Cheng are current Fellows. The Academy represents both sides of the Bar: prosecutors and defense lawyers in criminal cases, and plaintiff and defense counsel in civil matters.
Over the last 35 years, seven Walkup attorneys have been members of this highly selective, invitation-only honor society. Two members of the firm, Michael A. Kelly and Daniel J. Kelly, have served as the Society’s President. The International Society of Barristers selects its members through a rigorous screening process that evaluates the lawyer’s skills, experience, accomplishments, and ethical standards.
Seven different attorneys at The Walkup Law Firm have been nominated by the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association (SFTLA) for their coveted Trial Lawyers of the Year award. Five members of the firm have won the award for their work in successfully prosecuting personal injury and wrongful death claims.
The Summit Council is an exclusive group of today’s top civil justice attorneys who are committed to the highest levels of trial advocacy, to obtaining justice for individuals and families who have been hurt by corporate wrongdoing, and to the protection of the civil justice system.
Six of our attorneys are currently named Fellows of The American College of Trial Lawyers for their dedication to improving the quality of trial and appellate advocacy. The ACTL is an invitation-only fellowship of exceptional trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds from the United States and Canada.
The Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) is a professional organization for California personal injury attorneys and other lawyers who represent plaintiffs and as an advocacy group that opposes legislation that would limit courtroom access for those without ample resources. As part of the 2022 leadership team, partner Douglas Saeltzer is the Third Vice President of this organization, comprised of California personal injury attorneys.
As California’s premier personal injury law firm, Walkup Melodia Kelly & Schoenberger has been recognized by some of the nation’s best rating services. In 2021, our firm was once again honored with an AVVO rating of 10.0 “Superb” for firm members’ excellence in shaping personal injury law. More than 95% of lawyers in the U.S. are rated on a scale of 1-10 by AVVO.

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