Jackson Lewis
Labor and employment law for employers
Associate Intern
About the job
- Candidates must demonstrate strong academic performance.
- Candidates must have excellent writing skills.
- Candidates must demonstrate strong attention to detail.
- Candidates must demonstrate an interest in employment law.
- Candidates must be enrolled in an American Bar Association-accredited law school as a second-year law student for the 2026–2027 academic year.
- Summer Associates will become familiar with laws related to employment law.
- Assist with research, case analysis, and all phases of litigation, including drafting memoranda and court filings.
- Review the status of employment-law developments and prepare summaries and articles related to new legislation.
About the company
Jackson Lewis is a law firm that provides labor and employment legal services to employers. It helps clients anticipate and manage workplace law by offering proactive strategies, policy development, and business-focused solutions designed to cultivate engaged, stable, and diverse workforces. The firm operates with 950+ attorneys in major cities nationwide, delivering advisory guidance, policy creation, compliance support, and representation across employment matters. Its approach differs from competitors through its large national footprint and emphasis on aligning legal advice with clients’ business goals to reinforce inclusivity and respect for every employee’s contribution. The goal is to help employers navigate evolving workplace laws while building productive and diverse organizations.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
White Plains, New York
Founded
1958
Get referred to Jackson Lewis
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Employment trials rose 15% in 2025, boosting demand for defense counsel in 2026.
- The Cincinnati contract and other public-sector matters show active demand for Jackson Lewis advice.
- Firmwide AI adoption should improve margins by reducing research, drafting, and matter-management time.
What critics are saying
- Harvey commoditizes routine work, forcing client fee pressure throughout 2026-2027.
- Littler, Ogletree, and other rivals can poach laterals faster than Jackson Lewis replaces them.
- High-profile employer representations like Cincinnati's Theetge fight create lawsuit and reputation spillover risks.
What makes Jackson Lewis unique
- Jackson Lewis has 1,100+ lawyers across 60+ offices, all focused on employment law.
- August 2026 Harvey deployment firmwide deepens its labor-and-employment-specific legal technology stack.
- The firm keeps adding specialists like Melissa Kurtzman and Bart Gabler to widen depth.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
Hybrid Work Options
Company News
Ogletree Deakins continues west coast growth with addition of Donald P. Sullivan as shareholder. SAN FRANCISCO - September 14, 2026 - Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to welcome Donald P. Sullivan to the firm's San Francisco office as a shareholder. Don joins the firm from Jackson Lewis P.C., where he was a principal for seven years. Don brings nearly 30 years of experience representing employers, employee benefit plans, fiduciaries, and plan sponsors in complex employment and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) matters. He regularly serves as lead counsel in employment and employee benefits litigation, including class, representative, and single-plaintiff matters involving wage and hour, Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, and harassment claims under state and federal law. He also advises and represents employers in ERISA and non-ERISA disputes involving pension and welfare benefit plans, fiduciary obligations, and government investigations. "Don's extensive experience spans both complex employment litigation and employee benefits matters, making him a valuable addition to our San Francisco team," said Katherine Manuel, office managing shareholder in San Francisco. "Employers increasingly need counsel who can address workforce disputes while also navigating benefit plan and fiduciary issues. Don brings a practical, business-focused approach and a track record of helping clients manage some of their most significant legal challenges." Every day, Don counsels employers on workplace policies, employee training, and compliance strategies designed to reduce risk and prevent disputes before they arise. He also works with management teams to address workforce issues and navigate evolving employment law requirements. "Ogletree Deakins is recognized nationally for helping employers navigate their most complex workplace challenges," Don said. "The strength of the firm's domestic and international platforms, the depth of its California practice, and its collaborative culture make it an excellent fit for my practice. I'm excited to join the team and contribute to the firm's continued growth." Don earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley. His commitment to the labor and employment practice predates his graduation from law school, having worked for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining for Washington D.C. (OLRCB) while he was in law school and college, respectively. About Ogletree Deakins With more than 1,100 attorneys in 61 offices worldwide, Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management. Ogletree Deakins’ Immigration Practice Group handle all types of employment-related legal matters, including traditional labor and employment, workplace safety, employee benefits, and business immigration matters. Guided by its Client Pledge, Ogletree Deakins’ Immigration Practice Group focus on understanding clients' business and objectives, collaborating and anticipating needs, harnessing technology and innovation, communicating effectively, and providing quality representation with exceptional value. www.ogletree.com
Jackson Lewis welcomes Employee Benefits principal Melissa B. Kurtzman in Philadelphia. Wednesday, August 26, 2026 Nationwide employment law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. announced Melissa B. Kurtzman has joined the firm's Philadelphia office as a principal. Melissa joins the firm from Littler Mendelson P.C. and brings more than 30 years of experience representing employers in a range of employee benefits matters. "Melissa brings sophisticated counsel and a practical understanding of the day-to-day administration and compliance challenges employers face in managing their benefit plans, and will be an excellent addition to our team as we continue to expand the depth and reach of our practice," said Melissa Ostrower and Kellie M. Thomas, co-leaders of the firm's Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation group. "Her experience further strengthens our ability to counsel clients across the full spectrum of employee benefits matters, particularly when complex benefits issues intersect with transactions, regulatory compliance and litigation." Melissa advises employers on the design, implementation and administration of qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, welfare and fringe benefit programs, employee benefits tax matters and benefits issues arising in mergers and acquisitions. She also counsels clients on fiduciary responsibilities, reporting and disclosure obligations, government correction programs and contingent workforce issues. Melissa represents plan sponsors in IRS and DOL audits and assists with employee benefit plan self-audits and government examinations. She advises clients across a range of industries including retail, accounting, construction, transportation, healthcare, manufacturing, financial services and nonprofit organizations. Prior to private practice, Melissa served as director of ERISA compliance for a national retirement plan administration company, where she oversaw the preparation and administration of qualified retirement plans. "We are thrilled to welcome Melissa to the office," said Stephanie J. Peet, office managing principal in Philadelphia. "Melissa's arrival expands the capabilities we offer clients in Philadelphia and throughout the region, providing greater access to sophisticated employee benefits counsel while further strengthening the resources of our national team." Melissa earned her J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law and her B.A. from Michigan State University. Analysis | Jobs | News
Jackson Lewis deploys :Harvey: firmwide. by Harvey Team - Aug 24, 2026 Nationwide employment law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. is expanding its investment in artificial Intelligence by deploying Harvey firmwide to more than 1,100 attorneys across more than 60 offices. Following a comprehensive evaluation of AI platforms, Jackson Lewis selected Harvey for the strength, versatility and legal-focused capabilities of its platform, as well as the opportunity to partner with Harvey's Legal Engineering and implementation teams. Together, Jackson Lewis and Harvey are identifying and implementing high-impact applications across the firm designed to enhance attorney efficiency, streamline matter management and support the delivery of complex, strategic work that creates the greatest value to clients. Harvey's Legal Engineering team will collaborate directly with Jackson Lewis attorneys and business professionals to develop applications tailored to the complexities of labor and employment law, while deepening the relationship between Jackson Lewis and Harvey to accelerate innovation and advance the firm's use of generative AI. "Jackson Lewis has built its reputation by staying focused on what our clients need and continually evolving how we serve them," said Firm Chair Kevin Lauri. "As a leader in labor and employment law, we see AI as an opportunity to build on that strength, and Harvey stood out as the right partner to help us do it. The technology is impressive, but just as important to us is having a team that will work alongside our lawyers to turn that potential into real value for our clients." "Jackson Lewis brought both a high bar and a clear vision to this process," said Winston Weinberg, CEO of Harvey. "As a leader in labor and employment law, the firm was looking for technology that could support the breadth and complexity of its work at scale, along with a team that could help translate the potential of AI into practical applications for its attorneys and clients. We're proud to have been selected as the partner to help advance that vision."
AI Is redefining how law firms prepare, practice and grow. Winston Taylor is taking a different approach to preparing future lawyers with its inaugural Practice-Ready Program, which brought together 28 incoming law students for training focused on skills AI cannot replace. The four-day program emphasized communication, collaboration, judgment, feedback and client relationships, areas law firms say new attorneys often lack due to the growing gap between law school and real-world practice. The initiative reflects a broader shift in legal education as firms increasingly recognize that while AI proficiency will be essential, strong interpersonal and client-service skills will remain critical to becoming a "future-ready" lawyer. Market movements. * White & Case LLP adds Mayer Brown global investment leader Timothy Clark * Post & Schell, P.C. taps Pennsylvania attorneys Oliver C. Overlander and Stephen S. Bloomburg to be co-chairs of workers' compensation department * Reed Smith LLP hires antitrust attorney John Magruder from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP * Education law duo Paul O'Neill and Christopher A. Barrett joins Potomac Law (PLG) in New York, Philadelphia Firm spotlight - Clifford Chance Momentum Search Group LLP. Clifford Chance has grown into a global legal powerhouse with more than 3,400 lawyers across 32 offices, including a rapidly expanding U.S. practice that the firm considers its top priority. Known for its cross-border work and strong financial-sector reputation, the firm offers broad expertise across corporate, finance, litigation, real estate, tax and emerging areas like fintech. Its associate development model emphasizes hands-on experience through a transactional assignment pool, extensive training, mentorship and innovation initiatives designed to make legal work more efficient. Industry insights. * Law firm revenue jumped 11.7% and inventory rose 16.7% during the first half of the year compared to the same six-month period in 2025, Daniel Greenfield, senior specialist in the law firm advisory group at Citi, told Law360 Pulse on Monday. Both metrics grew more than they did during the first quarter of 2026. * Maynard Nexsen PC is growing its Atlanta office a year after it moved into the city by merging with a real estate firm, an expansion that comes after the firm has grown its presence in Atlanta from eight attorneys to more than 20 and added expertise in six practice groups. The firm announced Monday that it's expanding to add an additional floor in its current space, which will grow its presence in the city to 24,279 square feet, marking a 359% increase in a year. The office expansion is set to be completed by January 2027. * Jackson Lewis P.C. ranked as the 32nd-largest U.S. law firm on this year's Law360 400 list, with around 470 partners among its 1,140 attorneys. AI Is Reshaping Pro Bono Work AI is increasingly being used by law firms and legal aid organizations to expand access to justice by streamlining tasks such as legal research, intake, document review and drafting. In 2026, 80% of law firms reported using AI in pro bono cases, up from 67% the previous year, with tools also helping organizations identify client needs and connect people with legal resources. However, experts caution that it is still too early to determine whether AI is actually increasing the number of clients served, particularly as legal aid organizations face staffing and funding challenges. Georgia Law Makes AI Training Mandatory The University of Georgia School of Law is requiring all students to complete a technology competency course while largely banning electronic devices in first-year classrooms to strengthen focus and critical-thinking skills. The new policy reflects the school's broader approach to AI: ensuring every graduate is prepared to use emerging technology while still developing the legal reasoning and interpersonal skills that AI cannot replace. Unlike schools with blanket AI bans or specialized AI programs, UGA is giving professors flexibility to experiment with AI in their courses while adapting policies as the technology evolves.
Continue reading international employment lawyer. * Community. Jackson Lewis recruits chief legal officer from K&L Gates William "Bart" Gabler brought in amid ongoing investment and modernisation push at national firm Jenna Lomax Community Editor Wednesday 22 July 2026 Jackson Lewis has appointed William "Bart" Gabler as its new chief legal operations and practice innovation officer. Get access. Enter your email address. Enter the password that accompanies your email address. Need access? Find out how to enjoy unlimited access