Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP is pleased to offer an academic Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship program for qualifying law school students.
Eligibility
Each year, Taft awards up to seven (7) fellowships to highly motivated, first-year law students who are members of historically underrepresented ethnic and/or racial minority groups.
Fellows receive paid summer associate positions in one of the firm’s six offices (Chicago, IL; Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Dayton, OH; Indianapolis, IN; Minneapolis, MN) following the completion of their first year of law school. Salaries for the 10-week summer program are as follows:
- Chicago $34,000
- Cincinnati $25,000
- Cleveland $25,000
- Columbus $25,000
- Dayton $25,000
- Indianapolis $25,000
- Minneapolis $27,000
Assuming satisfactory performance during the 1L summer fellowship, fellows have the option to return as second-year summer associates.
Those awarded fellowships will participate in our 10-week summer program between their first and second years of law school. It is our goal to provide every summer associate with a realistic experience of what it is like to practice law at Taft. Summer associates work on a variety of actual client matters and attend depositions, hearings, closings, conferences and trials as well as perform the careful research expected of all our lawyers. Summer associates are evaluated throughout the summer on an informal basis, and will also have formal mid-summer and end-of-summer reviews.
Students selected for the fellowship, and who accept an offer to return to Taft as a second year summer associate, will be awarded a one-time $5,000 signing bonus, paid to the student, upon acceptance of the offer.
Application Process
Applicants for the Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship must be enrolled in a J.D. program at an accredited U.S. law school as a first-year law student. Applications will be accepted beginning December 1 each year, but final decisions will not be made until first semester grades are received.
Interested law students should apply to Taft’s Chief Recruiting Officer, Lisa Watson, at lwatson@taftlaw.com. For more information, visit www.taftlaw.com.
Application materials must be received by February 10, in order to be considered. The following materials should be submitted:
- Completed
application form
- Cover
Letter
- Resume
- Law School Transcript (the transcript does not need to be official, but does need to be complete)
- A
typed essay (no more than one page, double-spaced and not to exceed 500 words)
addressing one of the following topics:
- Describe an accomplishment you have been recognized for and its influence on you.
- Who has been most influential in your life and why?
- Why do you want to be a summer associate at Taft?
- What are your career aspirations and why?
- One letter of reference or recommendation from a teacher, coach, or other adult who is not an immediate relative. The letter should be sent as part of your application materials.
- Cover
Letter
Selection Process
Recipients of the Summer Program fellowship will be selected based on careful review of application materials provided. All fellowship applicants will be notified of the firm’s decision by March 15. Payment of the fellowship awards will be made in accordance with the Taft Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship program guidelines.
Purpose of Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship
At Taft, we are committed to creating an inclusive culture of individuals from diverse backgrounds. This commitment allows us to fulfill our primary mission-serving our clients to the highest standards of professional excellence. Additionally, a diverse and inclusive culture benefits our professionals as well: it fosters teamwork and opportunities for professional growth and personal satisfaction.
Also, Taft’s pipeline programs help us meet our responsibility and our commitment to be active in the communities where we live and work. We understand that we have an obligation to help develop a diverse group of leaders, both at Taft, and in the world at large.
Questions
If you have questions or need further information, please contact:
Lisa Watson
Chief Recruiting Officer
Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
One Indiana Square, Suite 3500
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317.713.3502
lwatson@taftlaw.com