Shipping and Maritime Law & International Trade Internships, Associateships, Traineeships and more at Curtis Offices Worldwide
Founded in 1830, Curtis Mallet-Prevost Colt & Mosle LLP is one of the first US law firms to develop international practice. Dedicated to counseling clients involved with some of the most challenging transnational transactions and complex multijurisdictional disputes, Curtis represents various clients from multinational companies to individuals. With 17 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia, Curtis is located in the key business centers - New York, Houston, Washington, DC, Almaty, Ashgabat, Astana, Dubai, Frankfurt, Istanbul, London, Mexico City, Milan, Muscat, and Paris.
The Curtis Shipping and Maritime Group combines the thorough knowledge of the shipping industry and international and domestic marine and commercial laws with expertise to provide clients with creative solutions to current and emerging issues in shipping, as well as the full scope of traditional maritime matters. The group advises a broad array of privately and publicly held companies and state entities involved in all shipping-related activities, including vessel owners, charterers, port developers and operators, commodities traders, shipyards and financial institutions.
The Curtis Transportation Practice represents multinational corporations, governmental entities and private companies operating in the United States, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. The attorneys have experience in transactions relating to infrastructure projects; modes of transport; carriage and logistics; and litigation, arbitrations and dispute resolutions involving transportation.
CURTIS Career Opportunities
Law Students
- Summer Program: The Curtis Summer Program is small and highly selective. Curtis chooses approximately 10 to 15 second-year law students to participate in the highly rated program. Throughout the summer, summer associates join the attorneys in meetings, closings, depositions and court proceedings. Formal training includes lectures, workshops, panel discussions and lunchtime programs on topics such as legal writing, corporate negotiation, discovery, depositions and trial practice. In addition, each summer associate is matched with a partner mentor and an associate adviser who are available to talk about firm culture, clients, work assignments and work/life balance. Weekly breakfast meetings provide a forum for discussing assignments with members of the summer associate committee and with peers.
- LLM Students: This is a unique opportunity for international LLM students to become acquainted with the singular way of practicing law, in addition to becoming acquainted with New York City, one of the most exciting cities in the world. The program is small and highly selective. Curtis typically hires foreign associates for the period of time ending with the expiration of their practical training employment authorization.
First Year Associates
- Junior Associates: Junior associates at Curtis grow and learn under the guidance and tutelage of some of most accomplished lawyers in the profession. Junior associates typically working directly with a partner or senior associate on their matters. Associates are given real responsibility and client contact very early. In keeping with the belief in open communication and attorney development at every stage, each associate is reviewed by a supervisor on every matter throughout their career. Supervisors provide feedback on key skills such as writing, legal and factual analysis, and professionalism. In addition, Curtis lawyers are given a clear indication of their progress in the firm, especially in the later years as the goal of partnership approaches.
- Judicial Clerks: Several of Curtis attorneys have clerked for federal courts of appeals, federal district counts, bankruptcy courts, tax courts and various state courts. Clerkship experience is valued at the firm. Attorneys receive seniority credit for their clerkships and are placed in the appropriate class based on their prior experience. Curtis also awards clerkship bonuses that are competitive with those of the peer law firms. Judicial clerks are encouraged to apply after their clerkship, or during if permitted by their judge.
Trainees
- London Trainees: Curtis London is looking for applicants with strong academic backgrounds who are interested in international work. You will need to demonstrate intellect, energy and an ability to get on well with people. Trainees are expected to take responsibility for their own work from an early stage. The training contract operates on a flexible non-rotational basis, and is therefore not divided into the traditional four or six “seat” method. We believe this benefits the prospective trainee, and their development, through allowing them to experience and take on a broader array of work from any of Curtis’ practice areas and overseas offices. You will have completed the LPC in the UK prior to your start date. You will need to demonstrate a consistently high level of academic achievement. This means that you will have gained at least a 2.1 (or equivalent) from a leading university as well as AAB at A-level (or equivalent). Languages are an advantage but not essential. You will also be required to have an unrestricted right to work in the UK.
Experienced Professionals
- Laterals: Curtis offers lateral partners and counsel the firm's uniquely collaborative and supportive environment and welcomes their contributions to the professional and intellectual life of the firm. The Curtis lateral recruiting program is directed by a committee of practicing partners who work closely with the firm's management and recruiting personnel to ensure confidentiality and an expeditious process.
Training & Development
- Curtis devotes considerable resources to the legal training and development of the lawyers. Curtis attorneys benefit from comprehensive training opportunities at each stage of their career, including practical, hands-on training. Curtis also has a continuing legal education series that keeps the lawyers apprised of the latest substantive legal developments in each of the firm's practice areas.
- The programs may also include: Curtis in-house CLE programs (generally live presentations by Curtis attorneys or guests); Practicing Law Institute (PLI) programs (live, video and online presentations offered by a third-party CLE provider); and Additional specialized training outside the firm. The in-house program consists of workshops and seminars on substantive legal issues in all areas of practice as well as legal ethics, business development and other foundations essential to intelligent lawyering and excellent client service.