Reed Smith 2011 Diverse Scholars Program–Applications due Friday, August 5

The following is information about Reed Smith’s 2011 Diverse Scholars Program:

Reed Smith has a strong commitment to diversity which has resulted in a firm in which diversity and inclusion permeate the culture.  Rewarding young future leaders for their efforts in the area of diversity and introducing them to the Reed Smith culture are two important goals of this program. 

The Diverse Scholars Program provides two $15,000 awards toward tuition for the second year of law school, as well as a paid summer associate position after completion of the second year of law school.  The program is open to first-year law students who have demonstrated excellent academic scholarship and a commitment to diversity, inclusion and community.

Scholarship applicants must submit a resume, a completed application, two personal statements, law school transcript, undergraduate transcript and a legal writing sample as part of the application process.  

Summer associate positions in 2012 are available in: Chicago; Falls Church, VA; Los Angeles; San Francisco; New York City; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; and Washington, D.C.  Applications must be postmarked by August 5, 2011.

Please visit the Diverse Scholars page located within the law students section at http://careers.reedsmith.com for more information about the program and to download an application. 

To learn more about Reed Smith’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, please visit http://diversity.reedsmith.com/

I am pleased to present Reed Smith’s 2011 Diverse Scholars Program.  Reed Smith has a strong commitment to diversity which has resulted in a firm in which diversity and inclusion permeate the culture.  Rewarding young future leaders for their efforts in the area of diversity and introducing them to the Reed Smith culture are two important goals of this program. 

The Diverse Scholars Program provides two $15,000 awards toward tuition for the second year of law school, as well as a paid summer associate position after completion of the second year of law school.  The program is open to first-year law students who have demonstrated excellent academic scholarship and a commitment to diversity, inclusion and community.

Scholarship applicants must submit a resume, a completed application, two personal statements, law school transcript, undergraduate transcript and a legal writing sample as part of the application process.  

Summer associate positions in 2012 are available in:  Chicago; Falls Church, VA; Los Angeles; San Francisco; New York City; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; and Washington, D.C.  Applications must be postmarked by August 5, 2011.

For your convenience I have attached a copy of the application.  If you would like me to send hard copies, please let me know to whom they should be addressed.  Students may also visit the Diverse Scholars page located within the law students section at http://careers.reedsmith.com for more information about our program and to download an application. 

<<2011 Diverse Scholars Program Application.pdf>>
To learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion, please visit http://diversity.reedsmith.com/

McGuireWoods Diversity Scholarship Program–Applications due May 15

Below is information regarding McGuireWoods’s new Diversity Scholarship Program:

 DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

$5,000 Scholarships for Diverse First-Year Law Students

McGuireWoods defines diversity as recognizing and valuing the differences in our workforce. To us, diversity encompasses age, sex, gender identity, race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, as well as educational, economic and professional backgrounds.

We are pleased to announce our first Diversity Scholarship Program that will award up to eight $5,000 scholarships to diverse first-year law students who are committed to contributing to and supporting diversity within the legal profession. Applicants are considered based on their involvement in community activities and diversity-related student organizations, demonstrated leadership, and personal and undergraduate academic achievement.

Consistent with the objective of promoting diversity in legal education and leadership roles in the legal profession, McGuireWoods will also consider additional criteria including, among other factors, whether the applicant is:

• First family member to attend college.

• From an economically disadvantaged family.

• A member of a group currently underrepresented in law schools and law firms.

• From a family with little or no legal education or experience.

• From a school whose graduates are historically underrepresented in law schools.

• Strongly committed to promoting diversity in his or her undergraduate school or community, and has demonstrated that commitment.

 Application Packet Contents

• Completed application form.

• Current resume.

• Undergraduate and law school transcripts (photocopies of official transcripts are acceptable).

• Personal statement (1,500 words or fewer) explaining your commitment to diversity in the legal profession, community involvement and personal achievements. Tell us something that is not on your resume.

• Professional letter of recommendation from an undergraduate or law professor.

Application packet must be received by May 15, 2011. Scholarships will be awarded July 1, 2011, and will be paid directly to the law school. Send materials via U.S. mail, e-mail or fax to:

Ann D. McGhee

Firmwide Manager of Attorney Recruiting

McGuireWoods LLP 901

East Cary Street

Richmond, Virginia 23219

amcghee@mcguirewoods.com

804.775.1061 (fax)

Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship For Incoming Law Students – Application Due June 17, 2011

Below is information about Baker Donelson’s diversity scholarship for incoming law students. The application deadline is June 17, 2011.

Baker Donelson is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where the individual differences among us are understood, respected, appreciated and recognized as sources of strength of the Firm. These qualities enrich the environment in which we work. With this in mind, Baker Donelson will again award three scholarships to diverse law students who will complete their first year of law school by June 2011. Each recipient will be awarded $10,000 which will be paid prior to the student’s third year of law school to help defray the cost of law school tuition and related expenses. Additionally, recipients will be awarded a six-week, salaried 2L Summer Associate position in one of our following offices: Birmingham, AL; Atlanta, GA; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, LA; Jackson, MS; or Chattanooga, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville, TN.

For complete eligibility criteria, instructions, and to apply for the Scholarship Program please visit: www.bakerdonelson.com/diversity-scholarship-diversity-practices

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Helen Beasley at hbeasley@bakerdonelson.com or 205.328.0480.

2011 DRI Law Student Diversity Scholarship–Deadline to Apply is April 27

The following is information from DRI, The Voice of the Defense Bar, and its diversity scholarship:

Scholarship Requirements

DRI announces its annual Law Student Diversity Scholarship program open to incoming second and third-year African American, Hispanic, Asian, Pan Asian and Native American students. Incoming second and third-year female law students are also eligible, regardless of race or ethnicity. Incoming second and third-year law students who also come from backgrounds that would add to the cause of diversity, regardless of race or gender are eligible to apply. Students who are members of the American Association for Justice (AAJ), Law School or Law Student members of AAJ or students otherwise affiliated with or employed by AAJ are not eligible for DRI Law Student Diversity Scholarships. To qualify for this scholarship, candidate must be a full-time student or evening student who has completed two-thirds or more of the total credit hours requirement for a degree by the applicant’s law school. The goal of these scholarships is to provide financial assistance to two worthy law students from ABA accredited law schools in order to promote, in a tangible way, the DRI Diversity Statement in Principle.

Two scholarships in the amount of $10,000 each will be awarded to applicants who best meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrated academic excellence
• Service to the profession
• Service to the community
• Service to the cause of diversity

Applications must include three recommendations, one each from the following individuals:

• The Dean or an Associate Dean of the student’s law school
• A current or past law professor
• An individual who is personally acquainted with the applicant, but who is not related by blood line or adoption.

Additionally, each applicant must include a cover letter with their application. In that cover letter each applicant should identify his or her academic, personal and/or professional accomplishments and how those accomplishments qualify him or her for DRI’s Law Student Diversity Scholarship award.

Essay Requirements

In addition to submitting the attached application and required recommendations, applicants must complete an essay of no more than 1,000 words based upon the following question:

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to decide two separate suits in which foreign product manufacturers are contesting the state courts’ exercise of personal jurisdiction over them.  The Court will decide, among other things, if a company’s mere awareness that a product could wind up in a state is sufficient to establish personal jurisdiction, or if companies must purposefully direct their products toward a state to warrant the exercise of personal jurisdiction.  If the Court concludes that foreign manufacturers can or cannot be sued in any state in which the product is sold, absent direct contacts with the forum, what impact might that ruling have on product liability litigation defense?

Essays must be submitted in hard copy, double-spaced, typed pages with copy on only one side of each page.

Application Deadline

Applications and all other requested materials must be received by April 27, 2011.  Scholarship winners will be notified in advance and officially announced at the DRI Diversity for Success Seminar, June 16-17, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

All applications, essays and required materials must be submitted in hard copy format to:
Tyler Howes, Deputy Executive Director
DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar
55 West Monroe Street, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60603

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

DRI Diversity Statment

DRI is the largest international membership organization of attorneys defending the interests of business and individuals in civil litigation.

Diversity is a core value at DRI. Indeed, diversity is fundamental to the success of the organization, and we seek out and embrace the innumerable benefits and contributions that the perspectives, backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences a diverse membership provides.

Inclusiveness is the chief means to increase the diversity of DRI’s membership and leadership positions. DRI’s members and potential leaders are often also members and leaders of other defense organizations. Accordingly, DRI encourages all national, state, and local defense organizations to promote diversity and inclusion in their membership and leadership.

ABA Young Lawyers Division Scholarship Program: Deadline to Apply is April 30

The following is information about the ABA’s Young Lawyers Division’s Scholarship Program. The deadline to apply for this program is April 30, 2011:

The Program

The ABA YLD Scholarship Program is designed to encourage the participation of minority, solo/small firm, government, private sector, and military service attorneys in the Young Lawyers Division. A priority will be given to those applicants who express a desire to become actively involved with the ABA YLD and require financial assistance.

The program consists of:

• Per the Division’s financial policy, scholars will receive partial funding to attend the Fall Conference (October 13-15, 2011, Seattle, WA), ABA Midyear Meeting (February 2-4, 2012, New Orleans, LA), and Spring Conference (May 3-5, 2012, Nashville, TN): round-trip airfare up to $350; $20 ground transportation; and $100 per diem (for two days)
• Appointment to and active participation in one of the YLD boards or teams.
• Mentoring

What is expected of scholars:

• Attendance at the YLD Fall Conference, ABA YLD Midyear Meeting, and the YLD Spring Conference
• Scholars must attend scheduled programming on Friday and Saturday of each meeting
• Produce a written piece (i.e. 101/201 article, resolution for consideration at the YLD Assembly)
• Assist on projects that may be assigned

Scholarship Categories

• General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Practitioners
• Government, Military and Public Sector Lawyers
• Minorities in the Profession

Program Length

One Bar Year (September 1 – August 31)

Eligibility

To be eligible, a scholar must be a “young lawyer,” which is defined as any licensed attorney who is under the age of thirty-six or who has been licensed for no more than five years at the start of the scholarship year (September 1). Applicants for this scholarship program should be ABA YLD-eligible lawyers who fall within at least one of the scholarship areas. There is no requirement that applicants be presently involved with a local ABA YLD affiliate. Although applications will be accepted from non-ABA members, any person chosen as a scholarship recipient must be an ABA member before receiving assistance. In addition, anyone receiving a scholarship must be present at all three funded conferences.

Guidelines

The selection will be based on the individual’s achievement, commitment to the organized bar and the Young Lawyers Division mission and goals and financial need. Scholars will be required to attend the Division’s Spring and Fall Conferences and the ABA Midyear Meeting during the bar year.

2011-2012 Deadlines

• April 30, 2011: Deadline for all applications and supporting material
• August 1, 2011: Scholars selected and all applicants will be notified of outcome

Applications

A completed online application form – which includes:

• An application letter outlining why you would like to become involved in the ABA YLD
• A biography
• A resume

Two to four letters of recommendation. Examples include letters from current or former employers and fellow practitioners.

If you have any questions, contact YLD Program Associate, Renee Lugo, at 312-988-5626.

Criteria

The Review Committee is made up of ABA Young Lawyers Division members. Scholarships will be awarded to applicants who demonstrate financial need and clearly express a strong desire to remain actively involved. Successful applicants will demonstrate a history of bar involvement, public service, and professional excellence.

The Review Committee will also consider the following based on the applicant’s letter of intent:

• Initiative – Has the applicant displayed initiative in the past or currently in community and professional activities? Does the applicant possess leadership potential?
• Financial Need – Does the applicant demonstrate a need for financial assistance in order to attend ABA YLD Conferences?
• Attendance – Does the applicant affirmatively state he/she will attend the three YLD Conferences?
• Communication – Are the ideas expressed in the letter of intent communicated clearly?
• Special Circumstances – Has the applicant overcome any unusual challenges or obstacles?

MCCA Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship Program for Admitted Law Students

The Minority Corporate Counsel Association, Inc. (MCCA) was founded in 1997 to advance the hiring, retention, and promotion of diverse attorneys in legal departments and the law firms that serve them.  MCCA accomplishes its mission through the collection and dissemination of information about diversity in the legal profession.

MCCA’s scholarship program (the Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship Program (“LMJ”)) is open to “all” students who have been accepted into law school, full-time, for the fall of 2011 and will be J.D. candidates in 2014.  The goal of the program is to promote academic excellence and diversity in law schools by awarding newly accepted law students from disadvantaged backgrounds with scholarships to help defray their education expenses.

Click here for more information on this scholarship program.

Scholarships Available for Michigan Residents

The Grand Rapids Community Foundation has a list of scholarships for Michigan residents. One such scholarship is from the law firm Miller Johnson, which has offices in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, Michigan:

Miller Johnson West Michigan Diversity Law School Scholarship

Students of color (African American, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander) accepted to or presently attending an accredited law school within the US with a permanent residence in Michigan.  Must demonstrate financial need, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and be a citizen of the United States to apply.

The deadline for most of these scholarships is April 1, 2011. Please visit http://www.grfoundation.org/scholarships for more information.

Department of Justice Volunteer Legal Internships — Apply Today!

Through its Volunteer Legal Intern recruiting, DOJ selects approximately 1800 volunteer interns each year. Of these, about 1000 are offered during the summer for positions in various offices throughout the country. These positions are without compensation but are highly sought after because of the responsibility and experience they offer.  Challenging work. Lots of responsibility. Interesting people. These are some of the phrases that students use to describe their experience as legal interns at the DOJ.

DEADLINES: These positions usually have early application deadlines (at least three months in advance), e.g., students interested in a position for the upcoming summer may need to apply in January / February.

A significant number of volunteer internships are with the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices located across the country, and the Department offices located in Washington D.C.. There are also opportunities with the Immigration Courts, the U.S. Trustees’ Offices, and other Department field offices nationwide.

For eligibility, requirements, a listing of upcoming summer opportunities, and information on how to apply, please go to our Volunteer Legal Intern recruitment webpage:
http://www.justice.gov/oarm/arm/int/legalinternjq.htm