2026 Summer Internship: Law & Leadership Program (Law School Students Only)

Working with Us
Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us.

BMS’ Sandra Leung Law and Leadership Internship Program offers law students valuable career development opportunities by providing client- and customer-focused assignments under the supervision of members of our Law Department.  Interns will work with a specific group within the Department and will be matched with mentors who can provide ongoing guidance on professional development throughout their academic and professional careers.

In addition to gaining in-house experience, our program provides learning opportunities with law firms, and in different areas of the law relevant to the pharmaceutical industry.  Past activities have included direct exposure with clients and outside counsel, networking opportunities, a reception with alumni of the internship program, seminars conducted by senior management, career development programs, tours of our manufacturing facilities, and an opportunity to present to our General Counsel and the senior leadership team.  Internship positions are based primarily at our offices in Central New Jersey but may support multiple geographies.  Interns are expected to be present in the office at a minimum of three (3) days per week and should consult with their mentor(s) to ensure alignment on specific days when others will be in the office.

The hourly compensation for this assignment is $30.00/hr. Please note that the final individual compensation and any applicable benefits will be determined by your employer of record (and not BMS). Factors influencing this decision may include the characteristics of the assignment, such as demonstrated experience, required skill, and the geographic location of the job. Compensation details are subject to change. The internship is paid but not expected to lead to an offer of full-time employment.

The program will run from May18, 2026 until July 26, 2026 in our Princeton, NJ office.

• BMS welcomes all applicants, including students who may have experienced barriers to education, such as first-generation college students, people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, military veterans and individuals with disabilities.  As an EEO employer, BMS does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.  

• Students should have excellent academic credentials and communication skills. Applicants should also possess outstanding interpersonal skills, due to the high level of contact with clients and leaders across the organization.  

• A biology or chemistry background is strongly preferred for any candidates interested in Patent Law.  

• All candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. both at the time of hire and for the duration of their employment. Please note that immigration or visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Students interested in applying must apply via the Bristol Myers Squibb Workday posting by January 16, 2026. Applicants must attach a combined PDF document with the applicant’s name as the document name, to their Workday application. The combined PDF must include the items below in the following order:

• A current resume (including current law school GPA, if available); and

• A cover letter containing the following information:

  • Name of Law School and Expected Graduation Year

  • A list of the student’s top 3 areas of legal interest and the reason for their interest in the selected areas.  Please choose 3 of the focus areas listed below.

  • A statement about why the student is an excellent candidate for the program and specifically how the student would contribute to the program.

Patients to Pipeline Global Law (Regulatory Law, Worldwide Therapeutic Areas, Commercialization and Development)

• Develop an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the commercialization and development of pharmaceutical products.  

• Provide solutions-oriented legal and regulatory advice to business teams regarding initiatives to advance the development and marketing of Bristol Myers Squibb products, including the appropriate development and use of promotional and non-promotional materials.

Compliance & Ethics

• Develop an understanding of how the Compliance & Ethics team empowers BMS to lead with integrity and protect the interests of the company and its patients.  

• Gain exposure to the various Compliance & Ethics Centers of Expertise (including Integrity Line & Investigations; Risk, Operations, & Intelligence; Global Policy, Education, & Culture and Global Market Compliance). 

• Assist with data analytics, third-party due diligence, internal investigations, and/or data privacy projects to drive compliance with healthcare laws and regulations globally (e.g., FCPA, anti-kickback, PhRMA code, etc.).

• Participate in global compliance projects with opportunities to learn about our global Compliance & Ethics Program and engage with compliance colleagues from around the world.

Corporate Affairs/Corporate Strategy (Corporate Governance/Securities)

• Develop an understanding of U.S. Securities laws and general corporate governance principles.

• Review and update public securities disclosures, including proxy statement for annual shareholder meeting.

• Research and benchmark evolving trends and updates in corporate governance.

• Participate in quarterly disclosure process, including attending disclosure committee meetings and reviewing and editing quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Drug Development Law and Global Manufacturing, Supply and Corporate Transactions Law

• Develop an understanding of laws and regulations governing product development, including early stage research and late-stage clinical trials.

• Participate in client meetings with key leaders in Research & Development.

• Prepare written work product and deliver presentations regarding developments in laws governing pharmaceutical product development.

• Participate in meetings and projects in Manufacturing, Supply & Corporate Transactions Law.

Employment & Benefits Law

• Develop knowledge of employment laws.

• Research questions of law.

• Participate in client meetings.

• Help to develop policies or best practices.

• Provide input on confidential employee investigations.

• Attend mediations, depositions, and hearings for any ongoing employment litigation or disputes.

Litigation and Government Investigations

• Attend witness meetings and court proceedings.

• Research issues and prepare memoranda relating to litigation, including antitrust litigation, products liability, securities litigation, contract disputes, and patent litigation.

• Participate in strategy calls and meetings regarding litigation and government investigations.

Innovation and Business Development Transactions Law

• Assist in the preparation of USPTO and ex-US patent office responses.

• Participate in counseling sessions with clients.

• Research areas of Patent Law.

• Develop knowledge of US and ex-US Patent Law.

• Draft, revise, structure and counsel on routine and moderate complexity transactional matters (including mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, site/product divestitures, licenses, collaborations and other transactions); and assisting with legal due diligence and signing/closing logistics.

• Attend counseling sessions with clients and negotiations with opposing counsel. 

AI, Data, Privacy Law and Compliance

• Assist with legal advice relating to technology, artificial intelligence (AI), data governance, digital health and privacy.

• Participate in counseling sessions with clients and negotiate technology agreements.

• Research developing risks and legal issues surrounding data governance, technology, privacy and artificial intelligence (AI).

• Support development and launch of digital health products and initiatives.

This is a temporary, time-bound position intended for the duration of the internship or co-op program. Employment in this role does not imply or guarantee ongoing or permanent employment with BMS.

Around the world, BMS is passionate about making an impact on the lives of patients with serious diseases. BMS empowers its employees to apply our individual talents and share unique perspectives through our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity to bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.

The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full-time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee’s work schedule, job-related knowledge, and experience. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience. 
Eligibility for specific benefits listed on our careers site may vary based on the job and location. For more on benefits, please visit https://careers.bms.com/life-at-bms/.
 

Benefit offerings are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans in effect at the time and may require enrollment. Our benefits include:

• Health Coverage: Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care.

• Wellbeing Support: Programs such as BMS Well-Being Account, BMS Living Life Better, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).

• Financial Well-being and Protection: 401(k) plan, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, accident insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection, personal liability protection, identity theft benefit, legal support, and survivor support.

​Work-life benefits include:

Paid Time Off

• US Exempt Employees: flexible time off (unlimited, with manager approval, 11 paid national holidays (not applicable to employees in Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico or Rayzebio employees)

• Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico and Rayzebio Exempt, Non-Exempt, Hourly Employees: 160 hours annual paid vacation for new hires with manager approval, 11 national holidays, and 3 optional holidays

Based on eligibility*, additional time off for employees may include unlimited paid sick time, up to 2 paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military needs and an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas and New Years Day.

All global employees full and part-time who are actively employed at and paid directly by BMS at the end of the calendar year are eligible to take advantage of the Global Shutdown.

*Eligibility Disclosure: The summer hours program is for United States (U.S.) office-based employees due to the unique nature of their work. Summer hours are generally not available for field sales and manufacturing operations and may also be limited for the capability centers. Employees in remote-by-design or lab-based roles may be eligible for summer hours, depending on the nature of their work, and should discuss eligibility with their manager. Employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement should consult that document to determine if they are eligible. Contractors, leased workers and other service providers are not eligible to participate in the program.

Uniquely Interesting Work, Life-changing Careers
With a single vision as inspiring as “Transforming patients’ lives through science™ ”, every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in a supportive culture, promoting global participation in clinical trials, while our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

On-site Protocol

BMS has an occupancy structure that determines where an employee is required to conduct their work. This structure includes site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design jobs. The occupancy type that you are assigned is determined by the nature and responsibilities of your role:

Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles, onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers, patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.

Supporting People with Disabilities

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to [email protected]. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

Candidate Rights

BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

Data Protection

We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection.

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.

If you believe that the job posting is missing information required by local law or incorrect in any way, please contact BMS at [email protected]. Please provide the Job Title and Requisition number so we can review. Communications related to your application should not be sent to this email and you will not receive a response. Inquiries related to the status of your application should be directed to Chat with Ripley.