Legal Intern, Summer 2027

Kuraray America, Inc.; Pasadena (TX); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Paid internship

Job summary

Kuraray America, Inc. is seeking a Legal Intern for Summer 2027 in Houston, TX. The role offers hands-on work with the legal team on risk assessments, contract management, and training material development while supporting compliance initiatives.

The internship is hybrid—2 days in office and 3 days remote—approximately 13 weeks, with full-time weekdays. Applicants must be law students eligible to work in the U.S. and pass screenings.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an accredited law school and pursuing a J.D.
• Completed at least one year of law school before beginning internship.
• Strong academic performance (minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA) and extracurricular achievement.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated communication and leadership skills.
• Must have U.S. working authorization and pass pre-employment screening.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be at least 18 years old.

Responsibilities

• Assist in risk assessments and maintain a new contract management system.
• Prepare training materials and present companywide.
• Review and create contracts and contract clauses.
• Conduct legal research and comparative analyses on various issues.
• Participate in cross-functional projects providing legal and compliance support.

Skills

Law school enrollment

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership & teamwork

Independent & collaborative work

Education

J.D. student

At least one year of law school completed

Job description

Title: Legal Intern, Summer 2027

Location: Houston, TX

Who we are:

Voted one of the Nation's Best and Brightest Companies to Work for, Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) is a global leader in specialty chemical, fiber, and resin production. With top-of-the-line research and production facilities and a vast network of supplies from around the world, Kuraray leads the industry in specialty dental, fiber, resin, and elastomer products. Kuraray America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuraray Company, Ltd. Based in Tokyo, Japan. Kuraray has operations in 32 countries and employs more than 11,000 employees, including over 800 in the United States.

Why Kuraray:

Founded in 1926, Kuraray is building a better tomorrow, today. Our team members are dedicated to expanding our business with committed professionals who share essential values such as integrity, excellence, teamwork, and accountability.

As a part of Kuraray America, Inc., our team shares the advantages of working for the leader in specialty chemicals, resins, and fibers. Our international presence and resources allow us to be a world-leading innovator in the industries we service. Yet, despite our size, our people are more than just a number. As a new team member, you can expect to earn responsibility quickly. Our commitment to our people is visible in our comprehensive benefits package. As a Kuraray team member, you will have the opportunity to enjoy competitive salaries and benefits, incentive opportunities, and an excellent work environment.

Celebrating 100 Years of Innovation

Be part of a historic milestone as we celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2026! Our centennial year will be filled with local and global events, storytelling campaigns, and sustainability initiatives that reflect Kuraray's legacy and future vision. Interns are encouraged to participate in commemorative projects and anniversary events while experiencing firsthand what it means to be part of a company with a century-long commitment to innovation, safety, and community impact.

Internship Summary:

Join a dynamic and evolving Legal team at a mid-sized specialty chemical company committed to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence. This internship offers a hands‑on opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals on meaningful projects that contribute to Kuraray's operational excellence and legal integrity.

You will assist in conducting risk assessments, maintaining a new contract management system, and preparing training materials for companywide presentations. Your responsibilities will also include reviewing and drafting contracts and clauses, conducting legal research, and performing comparative legal analyses on a range of issues. Additionally, you will participate in cross‑functional projects that provide legal and compliance support across the organization.

The paid internship will be approximately 13 weeks in duration for the summer of 2026 with flexible start and end dates. Student interns must be able to work full‑time Monday through Friday.

This is a hybrid position, generally working 2 days per week in the office or at a plant and 3 days remote.

The internship will be split between a major project and daily tasks

Housing will not be provided for the internship

Responsibilities:

• Assisting in conducting a Risk Assessment
• Assisting in the maintenance and upkeep of a new contract management system
• Preparing training materials and presenting companywide
• Reviewing and creating contracts and contract clauses
• Conducting research on assigned issues, analyzing information, and summarizing findings
• Conducting comparative legal analyses on a range of issues in a given area, identifying legal and policy issues, researching relevant precedents, and proposing appropriate solutions
• Participating in projects to provide legal and compliance support

Minimum Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited law school and pursuing J.D.
• Completed at least one year of law school before beginning internship.
• Strong academic performance minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA and extracurricular achievement.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail
• Demonstrated communication and leadership skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and proven track record of adaptability, innovation, initiative and integrity.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Outgoing personality with strong people skills; comfortable engaging with individuals across various teams and levels.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Interest in the chemical industry and/or manufacturing.
• Prior internship or project experience in-house is a plus.
• Must have legal U.S. working authorization to participate in the program.
• Must successfully pass the pre‑employment screening process.
• Must have a valid drivers license to drive in the US
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

Competencies

• Customer Focus
  • Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer‑centric solutions.
• Business Insight
  • Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals.
• Cultivates Innovation
  • Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
• Action Oriented
• Ensures Accountability
• Drives Results
  • Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstance
• Collaborates
  • Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Values Difference
  • Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization
• Communicates Effectively
  • Developing and delivering multi‑mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Courage
  • Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.
• Instills Trust
  • Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Situational Adaptability
  • Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S

Kuraray America, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer disability/protected veteran status.

No third‑party candidates accepted.