Brooks Pierce is pleased to welcome seven law students to work alongside the firm’s attorneys as a part of its 2026 summer associate program. The summer associates are currently enrolled in law schools across North Carolina, Massachusetts and Virginia.
The 2026 summer associates are:
- Branden Adams, second-year student at Duke University School of Law
- Grace Decker, second-year student at Washington and Lee University School of Law
- Katherine Jafroodi, second-year student at University of North Carolina School of Law
- MaKenzie Leonard, second-year student at University of North Carolina School of Law and 2025 Chief Justice Henry E. Frye – Brooks Pierce Diversity Summer Fellow
- Rachel Lin, second-year student at University of North Carolina School of Law and 2025 Chief Justice Henry E. Frye – Brooks Pierce Diversity Summer Fellow
- Ellie Nanney, first-year student at University of North Carolina School of Law and 2026 Chief Justice Henry E. Frye – Brooks Pierce Diversity Summer Fellow
- Brian Roper-Nelson, first-year student at Harvard Law School and 2026 Chief Justice Henry E. Frye – Brooks Pierce Diversity Summer Fellow
“We are confident this year’s exceptional class of summer associates will seize the opportunity to explore a variety of legal projects, develop practical skills and build relationships within the firm,” said Shannon DeGennaro, the firm’s director of recruiting and professional development.
The firm’s summer program is designed to present law students with a broad view of Brooks Pierce’s practices while nurturing each summer associate’s individual legal interests. Summer associates contribute to litigation, transactional and government relations matters across an array of industries. They will work closely with their partner and associate mentors and other attorneys, as well as the professional staff, allowing them to continue to develop as aspiring attorneys.
More information about Brooks Pierce’s summer program can be found here.