Multiple locations – Summer 2019 Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship – Taft, Stettinius & Hollister

AkronLawJobs No. 9844 Overview: 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 6 fellowships to highly motivated, first-year law students who are members of historically underrepresented ethnic and/or racial minority groups.

Locations: Fellows receive paid summer associate positions in one of the firm’s six offices (Chicago, IL; Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Dayton, OH; Indianapolis, IN) following the completion of their first year of law school. Salaries for the 10-week summer program are as follows:

Salary: Chicago $30,700; Cincinnati  $23,000; Cleveland $24,000; Columbus $23,000; Dayton $23,000;  and Indianapolis $23,000

Assuming satisfactory performance during the 1L summer fellowship, fellows have the option to return as second-year summer associates.

Duties: 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.

Qualifications: 1L and be a member of a diverse group

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, (317) 713-3502 or lwatson@taftlaw.com

How to Apply: 1) Complete the Application; 2) Cover letter; 3.) Resume; 4.) Law school transcript (does not need to be official, but does need to be complete); 5.) A typed essay (no more than one page, double-spaced, and not to exceed 500 words) addressing one of the following topics: a.) Describe an accomplishment you have been recognized for and its influence on you. b.) Who has been most influential in your life and why? c.) Why do you want to be a summer associate at Taft? or d.) What are your career aspirations and why? 6.) One letter of reference or recommendation from a teacher, coach, or another adult who is not an immediate relative. The letter should be sent as part of your application materials. Send all of these materials IN ONE PACKET to Lisa Watson at lwatson@taftlaw.com

Deadline:  February 10, 2019