Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Minority Clerkship Program
The Minority Clerkship Program (MCP) was created to assist in the diversification of Cleveland’s legal market. It provides an opportunity for historically underrepresented racially and ethnically diverse eligible first year law students and committed legal employers (law firms, legal departments and government agencies) to collaborate in arranging summer employment prospects. Historically the MCP has involved over 40 of Cleveland’s law firms, legal departments and government agencies and has assisted over 300 law students in obtaining valuable clerkship positions.
The purpose of the program is to ensure that employers and underrepresented minority law students obtain exposure to one another. In this way, we believe this will foster a culture of diversity and inclusion.
How to apply:
- Submit an application. Packets are available after November 1, each year. Applications are due by January 20, 2017. Application packets are available online or in the Career Services office.
- The application packets include questions about your background, history, capabilities, skills, and other qualities. It also includes two essay opportunities for students to discuss their own unique circumstances (a personal statement) and where they plan to take their legal career (a career goals statement).
- Also enclosed must be two letters of reference and the student’s resume.
- Grades are not considered because of the timing of the program.
- Applications are then vetted for eligibility (all 1L law students with an interest in working in Cleveland are eligible to apply). Once eligibility is established then interviews will be scheduled. Interviews are normally in February at the CMBA offices in Cleveland.
- The categories of evaluation include appearance, poise, presentation, content, and hireability.
- On the day of the interview, there is a closed universe writing exam administered by the MCP. The exam is similar to a standard law school exam and is created and evaluated by law school professors.
- Once all three components have been completed, the Minority Clerkship Committee compiles the applicant’s scores for the interview, application, and writing assignment components and ranks the applicants accordingly.
- Applicants are informed of their acceptance and their match by mid-March and have one week to accept or decline their offers. Typically clerkships begin in May and continue into August. Students selected must be academically eligible to begin the summer employment.
- Prior to starting their positions, students selected for clerkships will participate in an Orientation program at the Bar Association in May, where they meet their direct supervisors or firm/law department contact.
Lunch and Learn Program
All applicants whether selected for the program or not are invited to participate in Lunch and Learn. These periodic lunches allow the students to meet and learn from the experienced, successful minority members of the legal community, including law firm partners, judges and general counsel.
Important Links:
Application HERE
MCP Webpage HERE