Law & Leadership Intern

At Bristol Myers Squibb, our employees often ask, “Who are you working for?”—a question that fuels collaboration, accountability, and urgency in our work. Our purpose-driven culture inspires us to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines to prevail over serious diseases. We offer uniquely interesting and meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and a supportive environment that values inclusion, wellbeing, flexibility, and comprehensive benefits. This is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it.

Bristol Myers Squibb’s (“BMS”) Sandra Leung Law and Leadership Internship Program offers law students valuable career development opportunities by providing client- and customer-focused assignments under the supervision of members of our Law & Policy Department (“Department”).  Interns will work with a specific group within the Department and will be matched with mentors who can provide ongoing guidance on professional development throughout their academic and professional careers.

In addition to gaining in-house experience, our program provides learning opportunities with law firms, and in different areas of the law relevant to the pharmaceutical industry.  Past activities have included direct exposure with clients and outside counsel, networking opportunities, a reception with alumni of the internship program, seminars conducted by senior management, career development programs, tours of our manufacturing facilities, and an opportunity to present to our General Counsel and the senior leadership team.  Internship positions are based primarily at our offices in Central New Jersey but may support multiple geographies.  Interns are expected to be present in the office at a minimum of three (3) days per week and should consult with their mentor(s) to ensure alignment on specific days when others will be in the office.

The internship is paid but not expected to lead to an offer of full-time employment.  Please note: Travel and relocation assistance are not available for this position. 

The program will run from May 24, 2027, until July 30, 2027 in Princeton, NJ. Application deadline is November 30, 2027.

Qualifications & Experience

• To be eligible, applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited law school and plan to return to school in Fall 2027 to continue their law degree.
• BMS is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to identifying and hiring the most qualified candidates. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

• Students should have excellent academic credentials and communication skills. Applicants should also possess outstanding interpersonal skills, due to the high level of contact with clients and leaders across the organization.  

• A biology or chemistry background is strongly preferred for any candidates interested in Patent Law.  

• All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and for the duration of their employment. Please note that visa sponsorship, including for student or temporary work authorization programs, is not available for this role. Candidates must have work authorization that does not require sponsorship now or in the future.

How to Apply

To be considered, applicants must attach a combined PDF document with the applicant’s name as the document name, to their Workday application. The combined PDF must include the items below in the following order:

• A current resume (including current law school GPA, if available); and

• A cover letter containing the following information:

• • Name of Law School and Expected Graduation Year

• • List top three (3) areas of legal interest from the focus areas below and briefly explain interest in each.

• • A statement about why the student is an excellent candidate for the program what they hope to gain from the program.

Areas of Focus and Associated Responsibilities

Global Commercialization Law (Regulatory Law, Worldwide Therapeutic Areas, Commercialization and Development)

• Develop an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the commercialization and development of pharmaceutical products.  

• Provide solutions-oriented legal and regulatory advice to business teams regarding initiatives to advance the development and marketing of BMS products, including the appropriate development and use of promotional and non-promotional materials.

Compliance & Ethics

• Develop an understanding of how the Compliance & Ethics team empowers BMS to lead with integrity and protect the interests of the company and its patients.  
• Gain exposure to the various Compliance & Ethics Centers of Expertise (including Integrity Line & Investigations; Risk, Operations, & Intelligence; Global Policy, Education, & Culture and Global Market Compliance). 
• Assist with data analytics, third-party due diligence and internal investigations projects to drive compliance with healthcare laws and regulations globally (e.g., FCPA, anti-kickback, PhRMA code, etc.).
• Participate in global compliance projects with opportunities to learn about our global Compliance & Ethics Program and engage with compliance colleagues from around the world.

Corporate Secretary/Corporate Affairs

• Develop an understanding of U.S. Securities laws and general corporate governance principles.

• Review and update public securities disclosures, including proxy statement for annual shareholder meeting.

• Research and benchmark evolving trends and updates in corporate governance.

• Participate in quarterly disclosure process, including attending disclosure committee meetings and reviewing and editing quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Strategy and Governance

• Develop knowledge of how the team helps define the vision, priorities, and operating framework for the Department to drive alignment with enterprise strategy.
• Support ongoing transformation initiatives aimed at simplifying processes and strengthening delivery models across the Department.
• Research questions of law and best practices that enable scalable ways of working and prepare written summaries to support data-driven decision-making for senior stakeholders.
• Participate in client meetings and assist with projects that advance the adoption of AI and digital solutions to modernize Legal capabilities and enhance productivity across the Department.

Global Drug Development, Manufacturing, and Corporate Transactions

• Develop an understanding of laws and regulations governing product development, including early stage research and late-stage clinical trials.

• Participate in client meetings with key leaders in Research & Development.

• Prepare written work product and deliver presentations regarding developments in laws governing pharmaceutical product development.

• Participate in meetings and projects in Manufacturing, Supply & Corporate Transactions Law.

Employment Law

• Develop knowledge of employment laws.

• Research questions of law.

• Participate in client meetings.

• Help to develop policies or best practices.

• Provide input on confidential employee investigations.

• Attend mediations, depositions, and hearings for any ongoing employment litigation or disputes.

Litigation and Government Investigations

• Attend witness meetings and court proceedings.

• Research issues and prepare memoranda relating to litigation, including antitrust litigation, products liability, securities litigation, contract disputes, and patent litigation.

• Participate in strategy calls and meetings regarding litigation and government investigations.

Innovation Law (Patent, Trademark and Business Development Transactions Law)

• Assist in the preparation of USPTO and ex-US patent office responses.

• Participate in counseling sessions with clients.

• Research areas of Patent Law.

• Develop knowledge of US and ex-US Patent Law.

• Conduct trademark preliminary screens and US and international trademark searches. 

• Assist with preparation of trademark applications and responses to Office Actions from trademark offices around the world. 

• Research and review copyright issues. 

• Support online brand protection program including review and analysis of potential infringements.

• Draft, revise, structure and counsel on routine and moderate complexity transactional matters (including mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, site/product divestitures, licenses, collaborations and other transactions); and assisting with legal due diligence and signing/closing logistics.

• Attend counseling sessions with clients and negotiations with opposing counsel. 

AI, Data, Privacy Law

• Assist with legal advice relating to technology, artificial intelligence (AI), data governance, digital health and privacy.
• Participate in counseling sessions with clients and negotiate technology agreements.
• Research developing risks and legal issues surrounding data governance, technology, privacy and artificial intelligence (AI).
• Support development and launch of digital health products and initiatives.

Strategic Risk Management

• Develop knowledge of how BMS identifies and manages legal and business risks that could impact the company.
• Support ongoing projects and access key team resources and materials.
• Research questions of law and emerging risks relevant to BMS's business and prepare written summaries for the team.
• Participate in client meetings and assist with projects that help protect BMS from potential legal and operational challenges.

Why You Should Apply

Around the world, BMS is passionate about making an impact on the lives of patients with serious diseases. BMS empowers its employees to apply our individual talents and share unique perspectives through our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity to bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

We hire for skills and capabilities, not just credentials – if this role excites you, but doesn’t perfectly match your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Compensation Overview:

$30 - $35/hour

Pay for this internship/co‑op position is provided in accordance with local market practices and applicable laws. Pay may be offered as an hourly rate and/or monthly stipend, or other locally compliant structure. Pay is determined based on objective factors such as academic level, relevant experience, skills, and work location.

Interns and co‑op participants may be eligible for limited benefits depending on program structure, work location, and local requirements. Eligibility and offerings are governed by applicable policies and employment regulations.

This is a temporary, time‑bound position intended for the duration of the internship or co‑op program and does not guarantee continued or permanent employment following program completion.

How We Work

Where you work matters – because collaboration, innovation and patient impact happen in many settings. Our roles are structured across four work models: site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design. The model assigned to this role is based on its core responsibilities. Learn more at https://careers.bms.com/ways-of-working.

Supporting People with Disabilities

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to [email protected]. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

Candidate Rights

BMS will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

For roles based in Los Angeles County only:  If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

For roles based in Washington State only: If you live in or expect to work from Washington State if hired for this position, please visit this page for important information about the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Data Protection

We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection.

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.

If this posting is missing required information required by local law or incorrect, contact BMS at [email protected] with the Job Title and Requisition number. Do not send application-related inquiries to this email. To check your application status, please login to your Candidate Home Account.

R1608267 : 2027 Summer Internship: Law & Leadership Program