Intern (Practice Innovation)

Location: Washington, DC
Schedule: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Position Type: Internship

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking an Intern on our Practice Innovation team within the Information Technology department, reporting directly to the Practice Innovation Strategist

Akin’s Summer Internship Program offers students a comprehensive experience that combines meaningful, hands-on work with opportunities to learn and develop professionally in a supportive, high-performing environment that values innovation, excellence and collaboration. In addition to the opportunities outlined below, the Intern will participate in targeted learning and development programs designed to offer deeper insight into life at a global law firm and sharpen practical skills for future success.

Our Summer Internship Program runs from Monday, June 1st through Thursday, August 6th. Start and end dates can be flexible based on school schedules.

The Practice Technology & Innovation team helps drive the firm’s efforts to evaluate, implement, and promote emerging legal technologies and workflows, including AI-powered solutions, automation, and practice efficiency tools. As part of the Practice Innovation team, the Intern will have the opportunity to work directly on projects that focus on and leverage automation and AI, such as support work to integrate growing and maturing AI workflows into the firm’s day-to-day business.  The Intern will also have the opportunity to collaborate with the Practice Innovation team to identify additional project opportunities that target personal development goals. The ideal candidate is naturally curious, eager to learn new processes and technologies, not shy about asking questions, and is willing to dig in and “fail” often.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Lead a practice group-specific project focusing on automation development and configuration to assemble content, apply topic/audience rules, and generate email or memo drafts for review and human-assisted final revision.
• Assist in researching and evaluating AI-driven legal technology, including tools for client matter research and related drafting deliverables.
• Support pilot programs by gathering user feedback, tracking adoption metrics, and assessing impact.
• Contribute to change management initiatives, helping attorneys and business professionals integrate AI into their workflows.
• Prepare reports and presentations on innovation technology adoption strategies and success stories.
• Develop training materials and user guides to support technology rollout efforts.
• Other special projects, as assigned.

Qualifications (Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program; preference for students studying business, legal studies, data analytics, computer science, or a related field
• Students currently enrolled in a JD program with career interest in legal tech are invited to apply
• Interest in AI, legal technology, and digital transformation
• Proficiency in Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint; experience with data analysis tools or AI technologies is a plus
• Experience building Power Automate flows, custom agents in Copilot, ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to deal effectively with all levels of personnel and work collaboratively across all firm departments
• Ability to work independently, creatively and proactively
• Strong attention to detail, proven organizational skills, and ability to follow instructions with high degree of accuracy
• Ability to work concurrently on long-term projects and short-term tasks with a solutions-oriented approach and meet deadlines and milestones for projects assigned
• Strong client service orientation
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality of client, firm and personnel information, and adhering to the Firm’s Core Values

The hourly range for this position in Washington, DC is $20.50 to $22.50/hr.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP participates in E-Verify for purposes of verifying employment eligibility

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