Law Clerk Program

Kinney & Lange's summer program introduces summer clerks to the practice of intellectual property law, as well as to our firm. All summer clerks are hired with the expectation that they will become associates.

Each clerk works closely with several attorneys and has an opportunity to experience our practice, which includes IP prosecution and litigation in the areas of patents, copyrights and trademarks. Typical assignments include meeting with inventors to evaluate and discuss inventions, preparing patent applications, responding to communications from the Patent and Trademark Office, conducting legal research, and writing legal memoranda and briefs. These projects allow clerks to experience the type of work that intellectual property attorneys regularly perform. Additionally, working closely with Kinney & Lange attorneys facilitates continuous feedback and learning opportunities for each clerk.

Mentors

Each clerk is assigned a shareholder mentor who is responsible for overseeing the clerk's workload. Each clerk is also paired with a younger attorney who helps the summer clerk acclimate to the firm. We work hard to foster an atmosphere where the summer clerks can grow professionally and develop relationships amongst their class and with the rest of our employees.

"Kinney Academy"

Additionally, summer clerks participate in the "Kinney Academy." "Kinney Academy" is a weekly in-house seminar designed to survey intellectual property law. A wide range of topics is covered during "Kinney Academy" - from copyright law to patent claim drafting to licensing. "Kinney Academy" is taught by our attorneys and provides a practical perspective on intellectual property practice. "Kinney Academy" compliments the work projects assigned to each clerk by introducing the summer clerks to a wide range of topics in intellectual property law that the clerk might otherwise not have encountered during the summer.

Social Life

The Kinney & Lange summer program is more than just work. Our firm is a lot of fun, as is the Twin Cities area - especially in the summer. The summer program includes a calendar full of social and recreational activities where clerks can meet and interact with our employees and their families. Past summer events have included a group outing to a Minnesota Twins game, golfing, a firm picnic, bowling, a pool tournament, cookouts on our loading dock and a number of happy hour excursions.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following materials:

  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • References
  • Undergraduate Transcripts (student copies acceptable)
  • Law School Transcripts (student copies acceptable)
  • Class Rank
  • Explanation of Transcript Grading System
  • Legal or Technical Writing Sample

 

Please submit to:

Recruitment
Kinney & Lange
333 South 7th Street, Suite 2700
Minneapolis, MN 55402
or email to: info@kinney.com

 
Interview Schedule

Kinney & Lange conducts on-campus interviews at the following law schools every fall:

  • Marquette University Law School
  • University of Minnesota Law School
  • University of Iowa College of Law
  • University of Wisconsin Law School
  • William Mitchell College of Law

Kinney & Lange also participates in the following interview programs:

  • Loyola Patent Law Interview Program
  • Minnesota Minority Recruitment Conference

Kinney & Lange welcomes requests from area law schools interested in scheduling on-campus interviews.