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• Summer Associate Program

Summer Associate Program

Each year, Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox (Manko Gold) is looking for the top law students across the country with an interest in a career-long pursuit of excellence in environmental and energy law.  With more than 30 years as a leading national environmental law practice, Manko Gold aims to recruit the very best future lawyers and to train those individuals on the key principles of the environmental law industry.  Our primary office is located just outside of Philadelphia, and we aim to recruit law students with a willingness to settle in the Philadelphia area long-term.  If you are at the top of your class and have high standards and a creative mind, we would like to meet you—and you would probably like to meet us. Manko Gold attorneys are smart, focused, creative, and enjoy a unique balance between their work and the rest of their lives. Diversity candidates are encouraged to apply.

About the Program
As a specialized environmental and energy law practice, our summer program is kept generally small, up to a maximum of four law students—a mix of 1Ls and 2Ls. This size allows us to provide each summer associate with a high level of individual attention and to tailor legal work uniquely to each associate’s areas of interest. In addition, it affords each summer associate an opportunity to work closely with attorneys at all levels of experience, from senior partners to junior associates, and to gain invaluable mentoring from these different experiences. Summer associates get to know our firm by getting to know our entire team, not just a few representative lawyers.

We provide our summer associates with diverse training and development opportunities. We typically begin our summer session with a two-day introduction to environmental and energy law, with nearly a dozen mini courses directed by our attorneys.  This introduction provides our summer associates with background information on our practice areas.  Throughout the program, summer associates participate in additional training courses and in our weekly training lunches for the full legal and technical staff, where current and emerging practice issues and business developments are discussed. Additionally, we offer numerous opportunities to attend, observe, or participate in out-of-office proceedings such as hearings, depositions, meetings, or conferences.

Summer associates are assigned work typical of that performed by a first- or second-year associate, with additional guidance appropriate to the student's level of experience. Assignments cover a broad spectrum of areas which may include (1) litigation matters, (2) regulatory and/or transactional matters, (3) site remediation matters, (4) client counseling, (5) negotiations with government agencies, (6) contract drafting, and (7) research and analysis.  Research and writing are also important components of our summer associate experience. We work with the students to develop their skills in these areas while they produce several written work products and reviewed by senior lawyers.

Constructive feedback is invaluable to our summer associates and we believe it is a critical tool for development of our future lawyers. Therefore, in addition to providing feedback during the course of assignments, once completed, the assigning attorney will review performance with the summer associate and provide constructive guidance. Further, each summer associate receives individual, formal evaluations at both the mid-point and conclusion of the program.  Every summer associate has an associate and partner mentor who help guide and support them throughout the summer.

Benefits of Being on the Team at Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox

The "open door" culture of our firm means more meaningful interaction with all members of our firm, from junior associates to senior partners. Our compensation package is competitive with larger general practice firms in the region. There is a warm, collegial atmosphere throughout the office.

We offer more than just work experience during the summer as our summer associates are encouraged to participate in a variety of social and recreational activities with the lawyers and staff, such as concerts, baseball games, museum and local history tours, golf, dinners in town or at partners' homes with lawyers and their spouses, and many other social activities. In addition, summer associates are invited to attend functions of environmental organizations and bar associations. At the conclusion of your summer at Manko Gold, you will know many of us individually and understand our philosophy of practice.

How to Apply
For information on how to apply to our summer associate program, please see our Law School Recruiting page, or contact our hiring partner whose contact information is listed on this page.

TESTIMONIALS

Ella Souder, Summer 2025 and 2026

I spent my 1L summer with Manko Gold because of my interest in environmental law and returned for my 2L summer because of the positive firm environment and mentoring I received. Throughout both summers I gained valuable experience across the breadth of environmental law, from litigation preparation to transactional matters. I also sat in on both a deposition and an oral argument. The assignments I worked on applied to real matters happening at the firm, and I received helpful feedback on writing style and analysis.

Not only are the attorneys and staff incredibly smart and knowledgeable, but they also make the firm an inviting place to work. The close-knit culture of the firm is evident through participation in summer social events in the city, such as attending a concert at the Mann and kayaking on the Schuylkill. I enjoyed my time as a summer associate at Manko Gold and am grateful for the opportunity to have learned from such a great team.

Kennedy Reardon, Summer 2025

My summer at Manko Gold was an incredibly enriching experience. As someone with an interest in environmental law, I was thrilled to work at a firm so highly respected in the field. I had the opportunity to engage in a variety of assignments, ranging from regulatory research to litigation support, across multiple environmental media. From attending a deposition to being included in client communications, I felt meaningfully integrated into Manko Gold’s work. The assignments were substantive, and I felt that my contributions were valued.

Above all, it was the people who made the experience truly worthwhile. Everyone at the firm is not only highly knowledgeable, but also welcoming and generous with their time and guidance. I received thoughtful feedback and mentoring throughout the summer and had the privilege of learning from some of the most respected professionals in environmental law. In addition to providing professional support, everyone at Manko Gold was consistently friendly and took the time to know me as a person.

Karina Zakarian, Summer 2024
My opportunity at Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox LLP this summer proved incredibly rewarding. I came to law school eager to explore the nuances of environmental law, and Manko Gold enabled me to not only pursue this interest, but develop my legal writing skills, conduct thorough research, and collaborate with bright-minded colleagues. I enjoyed working on a variety of assignments ranging from litigation to regulatory matters, visiting sites, and attending group meetings to discuss strategies for best aiding clients. The attorneys and staff at Manko Gold were personable and kind; I sincerely appreciated the welcoming environment they provided, the comfort I felt in asking questions, and the tailored feedback I received on assignments. As I transition into my second year of law school, I am more confident in my own abilities and grateful for my summer with them.

Kelly Hanna, Summer 2022
Eight weeks at Manko Gold were well spent this summer. The collegiality was apparent instantly, as everyone at the firm welcomed the summer associates and took a genuine interest in getting to know us.  I appreciated being trusted to handle complex and meaningful assignments dealing with a variety of legal issues as well as all the opportunities to sit in on depositions, mediation meetings and oral arguments.  Partners, associates, and technical experts made themselves available to answer questions and provide consistent and tailored feedback throughout the summer.

Read past summer testimonials.

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