SUMMER ASSOCIATES
REAL EXPERIENCE
Law school teaches you how to think like a lawyer. A summer at Gould Cooksey Fennell gives you the opportunity to see what it feels like to work like one.
GCF offers something that can be hard to find. We are a boutique firm where summer associates have direct access to experienced attorneys and meaningful opportunities to contribute, but the work is anything but small. Our attorneys handle complex litigation, sophisticated estate and tax planning, significant real estate matters, and other work often associated with much larger firms.
As a summer associate, you will work alongside the people handling those matters, experience different areas of practice, ask a lot of questions, and begin figuring out what kind of lawyer you want to become.
Being a boutique firm changes the summer associate experience. You are not several layers removed from the attorneys doing the work. You will know the partners and associates you work with, have opportunities to ask questions directly, and see how experienced attorneys think through complex legal and client issues.
At the same time, you will be exposed to sophisticated work across the firm. Our attorneys advise individuals and families with complex estate, tax, and wealth planning needs, handle significant real estate transactions, and represent clients in high-stakes personal injury, medical malpractice, and other litigation matters.
For a summer associate, that combination means substantive work and meaningful access to the attorneys doing it.
2026 Summer Associate
The structure of the summer program gives summer associates access to interesting legal work from the first day. GCF has an abundance of high-quality legal work, and attorneys always appreciate another legal mind to conduct research or draft a document for their review.
2026 Summer Associate
I learned so much during the summer program! I have learned that it is so important to ask questions; everyone is so helpful in teaching me about their work. All of the attorneys and staff at GCF have been a wealth of knowledge to me.
We want our summer associates to leave with a better understanding of the practice of law than they had when they arrived.
That means doing more than observing from the sidelines.
Summer associates work directly with attorneys on substantive assignments that may include legal research, drafting, reviewing documents, preparing for matters, and assisting with active client work. When opportunities arise, you may also sit in on meetings, hearings, depositions, closings, or other parts of the legal process.
You will see how attorneys approach problems, communicate with clients, collaborate with their teams, and turn legal knowledge into practical advice.
If you’re looking for meaningful experience, direct access to attorneys, and the opportunity to work on sophisticated matters, we’d like to hear from you.
Complete the form below to apply for our Summer Associate Program.
In addition to substantive legal experience, our Summer Associates are invited to take part in firm lunches, social events, community activities, and other moments that are part of life at GCF.
Some of the best conversations happen outside a formal assignment. Whether it is getting to know attorneys over lunch, joining a summer social, or participating in a community event, we want our Summer Associates to experience both the work and the people behind it.
That time matters. It gives students a better sense of our culture, how our teams work together, and what it is actually like to be part of GCF.
TO LAST
Ask Someone You Trust
For over 70 years, Gould Cooksey Fennell has been a boutique Florida firm built on exceptional work and great people. Our attorneys are highly educated, deeply experienced, and regularly invited to speak at premier programs and publish in leading Florida legal publications. If you are looking for a place where talent is taken seriously and excellence is the standard, you will find it here.
LIFE IN VERO BEACH
Vero Beach is more than where our office is, it’s the community we’re committed to. Known for its welcoming coastal feel, great schools, and a laid-back lifestyle that still offers luxury, culture, and outdoor recreation, it’s a place where families and businesses put down real roots. And when you want the energy of a major city, Vero Beach makes it easy to get there without living in constant traffic.
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