Summer Associates

The Gray Reed Summer Associate Program

At Gray Reed, the summer associate program is our primary method for hiring first-year associates. With a vested interest in protecting the firm’s culture and standard of excellence, we invest in our future colleagues early on; showing you the ropes of real, billable case work, legal research and client meetings. You'll find that you have the ability to set the path of your career based on your personal and professional goals. We also believe in making sure our attorneys have early client contact and handle complex issues while still having the cushion of an experienced attorney helping them.

Gray Reed hosts summer associates in our Dallas and Houston offices during the first nine weeks of summer, beginning in mid-May. Throughout our summer associate program, we incorporate social activities to facilitate the building of relationships and to give our summer associates a good flavor of our culture.

Gray Reed is frequently honored as one of the "Best Places to Work" by both the Dallas Business Journal and the Houston Business Journal. For 2024, Gray Reed ranked #8 in Vault's regional ranking for the Best Midsize Law Firms in Texas. This is a testament to the atmosphere and culture that we have created at Gray Reed. 

Our Attorneys Are Singing Our Praises

Want to know if Gray Reed is a great place to work?  Here's what our attorneys say:

 “Gray Reed’s stated mission is to create a firm that survives well beyond the present partners’ respective careers.  The only way to ensure that is to hire the best and brightest associates and then build a stronger and more vibrant firm based on their talents and work ethic.  Our Summer Associate program is how we identify those individuals who will help us accomplish our mission.” J.J. Hardig, Partner

 “As a Gray Reed Summer Associate, I was treated as a real member of the Gray Reed team. I worked on projects that had a real impact on cases.  I also got to sit in on depositions, client meetings, meetings with expert witnesses, and hearings. After my time as a summer associate, I had no doubt that Gray Reed was where I wanted to begin my legal career.”Lydia Webb, Partner, 2011 Summer Associate

“A summer clerkship is one of the most important components of the law school experience.  At Gray Reed, our clerkships are designed to closely resemble what life is like as a young associate at our firm.” Drew York, Hiring Partner, 2004 Summer Associate

“Summer associates are part of our teams, working on the same projects that young associates are. I loved the opportunity to work on motions and discovery that really impacted our clients and felt like a part of the team. I enjoyed the opportunity to work for a variety of partners and to participate in substantive work. At the end of my summer as a Gray Reed summer associate, I was sure this was the team that I wanted to be a part of because I knew what work as a new associate would be like. I’m so glad to say that working as a new lawyer for Gray Reed is exactly what I expected!” London England, 2017 Summer Associate 

We Want Everyone to Feel at Home Here

Since the inception of our firm, we have aimed to live our values of stewardship, trust, excellence, equity and respect. We take these life principles very seriously as we foster an environment that celebrates different genders, sexual orientation, religions, ethnic backgrounds, political views and personal interests. While we’ve made progress, we know we can do more and will continue to strive for a diverse workplace that is representative of our great country and client base.

Summer Associate Recruiting Q&A

On which campuses does Gray Reed recruit during OCI?

We participate in OCI at the following campuses:

  • Baylor University School of Law
  • SMU Dedman School of Law
  • South Texas College of Law
  • Texas A&M University School of Law
  • The University of Texas School of Law
  • University of Houston Law Center

Gray Reed also participates in the Southeastern Law School Consortium.

What can I expect from my OCI interview with Gray Reed?

Interviewers from Gray Reed are interested in getting to know you and seeing a little of your personality. We're also interested in learning what attracts you to our firm.

What is the interview process after OCI?

Each Gray Reed office conducts at least one round of in-office interviews in the weeks following OCI. Call-back candidates will receive an email from Gray Reed's recruiting specialist.

How big is Gray Reed’s Summer Associates Program?

We keep it small (4-8 summer associates in Dallas and Houston) as this is our primary method for hiring first-year associates.

Apply to the Gray Reed Summer Associate Program (outside of OCI)

Our 2025 Summer Program is full.