Intern – Legal / U.S. Intellectual Property, Summer 2026
The U.S. Intellectual Property (IP) Group at Continental is offering a 10–12-week Summer Legal Internship in the Cleveland–Akron, Ohio region. This position is ideal for law students who have completed their first year (1L) and hold an undergraduate degree in engineering or a scientific discipline. The role provides a hybrid work model with significant remote flexibility, allowing interns to gain hands-on experience in a leading tire manufacturing company renowned for its innovative solutions and global presence.
Interns will be responsible for conducting legal research on U.S. and international IP issues, summarizing case law, statutes, and administrative decisions, and analyzing engineering and scientific materials. Additional duties include performing prior-art searches for patent evaluations, assisting attorneys with patent-related filings, drafting claim charts and invention summaries, supporting Office Action response preparations, and collaborating with engineers and R&D teams to gather technical information.
Candidates must have completed their first year of law school at an accredited institution by the start of the internship and possess a bachelor's degree in engineering or the sciences. Strong research, analytical, and technical writing skills are essential, along with the ability to understand and communicate complex technical concepts. Applicants should be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of working both independently and collaboratively. Availability to work 40 hours per week during normal business hours and a minimum GPA of 3.0 are required. Comfort with a hybrid work environment, including remote and on-site components in the Cleveland–Akron area, is also necessary.
Interns can expect direct exposure to in-house patent practice, mentorship from experienced Continental patent attorneys, engagement with inventors and technical teams working on real-world technologies, and meaningful project work that supports Continental’s global IP strategy. The program offers competitive intern pay, hands-on experience with the team, project involvement, intern socials and mixers, mentorship opportunities, networking events, and additional benefits associated with working for a global industry leader.