Intern – Legal / U.S. Intellectual Property, Summer 2026
Continental is seeking a Summer Legal Intern to join its U.S. Intellectual Property Group for a 10–12‑week internship in the Cleveland–Akron, Ohio region. This role offers a hybrid work model with strong remote flexibility and is ideal for a law student who has completed their first year and holds an undergraduate degree in engineering or a scientific discipline. Continental, founded in 1871, is a leading tire manufacturer with a global presence, generating sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and employing around 78,000 people in 54 countries.
The intern will be responsible for conducting legal research on U.S. and international intellectual property issues, summarizing case law, statutes, and regulations, 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 preparation, 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.
The internship offers competitive pay, hands-on experience with the team, project involvement, intern socials and mixers, mentorship opportunities, and networking events. Interns will gain direct exposure to in-house patent practice, receive mentorship from experienced patent attorneys, and engage with inventors and technical teams working on real-world technologies.
Continental fosters a collaborative and innovative company culture, providing interns with meaningful project work that supports the company's global intellectual property strategy. This opportunity allows interns to contribute to Continental's mission of delivering top performance in the tire industry and to develop their skills in a dynamic and supportive environment.