Sidley Austin LLP’s Washington, D.C. office is excited to announce the Third Annual Sidley 1L Diversity Summer Mentorship Program to be held this summer in Washington, D.C.  We encourage all diverse 1L students at UVA who would like to practice in Washington law firms after graduation and who plan to spend their upcoming summer in the D.C.-area to apply. The mentor program is expected to take place during June and July 2012. 


Space for mentees is limited and completed applications are due by Friday, April 27, 2012.  Interested individuals should submit an application form available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012Sidley1LDiversitySummerMentorshipProgram and email a resume and an unofficial law school transcript to Mieko Rechka, Legal Recruiting Manager, at mrechka@sidley.com for consideration. 

Dear UVA BLSA Member:

As Chairs of our Diversity Committee and Hiring Committee, respectively, we have asked your officers to give you a copy of this letter for a simple reason: Patterson Belknap is committed to diversity, and we want students of color to know about our firm.

The experience of practicing law at Patterson Belknap stands out from that at any other major New York-based law firm. Why?

We give associates responsibility early in their careers – whether that means examining a witness at deposition or trial, working directly with a client on a deal or arguing a motion in court.

We like our associates, and they like us. We listen to each other as colleagues, value good ideas no matter who is offering them, and find professional satisfaction in working together on challenging matters. Perhaps that’s why Vault ranks Patterson Belknap as one of the top 10 best firms to work for. And in 2011, we were named to The American Lawyer’s “A-List” of 20 leading law firms nationwide, which is based on pro bono commitment, associate satisfaction, diversity, and financial performance. We are also perennially ranked among the top New York-based firms in The American Lawyer’s associate satisfaction survey.

Our commitment to pro bono has set the standard for others to follow – in each of the last seven years, we had 100% lawyer participation in our pro bono program, a result unmatched by any major firm to our knowledge.

We have reached far in pursuing diversity initiatives; not only do we have longstanding affinity groups and a diversity committee, we have worked with Legal Outreach and other organizations for over a decade to help high school students and junior high school students, to succeed and enter the pipeline to careers in the law.


On April 2, 2012, we launched the Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP Diversity Fellowship. The Fellowship, which includes an award of up to $15,000, will be offered to an exceptional rising second-year law student who shows the promise of becoming both an outstanding attorney and of contributing meaningfully to the diversity of Patterson Belknap and the legal community. The Fellowship will be awarded in the course of the regular fall recruiting season for summer associate positions and the Fellow will participate in the regular summer associate program at the Firm in the year after the Fellowship is awarded. Details can be found on our website at http://www.pbwt.com/recruiting-and-diversity- fellowship/.

Our firm is also proud of the many awards and recognitions that our attorneys and practices have received over the years. These include leading client- and peer-based rankings in top guides such as Chambers USA, as well as awards from highly respected publications including the National Law Journal, Law 360 and IP World.

If our practice excites you as much as it does us, we hope you will interview with us this coming fall (for either Summer 2013 or post-graduate employment). After reviewing the firm's website (pbwt.com), if you have any questions or need additional information about Patterson Belknap, please e-mail any of us (pcharvey@pbwt.com, rwlehrburger@pbwt.com, rrupton@pbwt.com, sezgliniec@pbwt.com). If we can't answer a question, we'll find someone who can.

In the meantime, we are attaching a copy of a brochure from "PAC." PAC stands for Patterson Attorneys of Color, a group formed by attorneys of color at our firm to assist with enhancement of workplace diversity. The firm also has affinity groups for women attorneys and LGBT attorneys.

We hope to see you this fall.


Sincerely,

Peter C. Harvey Co-Chair, Diversity Committee

Richard R. Upton Co-Chair, Diversity Committee

Robert W. Lehrburger Co-Chair, Hiring Committee

Sarah E. Zgliniec Co-Chair, Hiring Committee

Dear Black Law Students Association:

I am writing to you on behalf of the African American associates at Covington & Burling LLP. As you may know, Covington will soon be at The University of Virginia School of Law to interview candidates for its 2013 summer associate class. We write to encourage you and your colleagues to interview with us.

We were once in your position, faced with the task of finding an outstanding firm that not only provides an opportunity to practice in engaging and stimulating areas of law, but also fosters a nurturing and supportive environment for professional development as an attorney. We welcome the chance to show you that Covington offers that rare combination of extraordinary professional opportunity and institutional humanity that makes it an exceptionally attractive home for young lawyers who are seeking a challenging and exciting practice. The American Lawyer magazine has ranked Covington’s pro bono practice among the top three firms for 15 of the past 19 years. Covington is also one of a handful of law firms ranked as one of the top 100 employers by Working Mother magazine. In addition, the firm boasts seven black equity partners, five of whom started their careers at the firm and all of whom work in different substantive areas of the firm’s practice.

Covington has a distinguished record of hiring and promoting African American attorneys. Covington helped found and still coordinates the D.C. Road show, an annual recruiting event aimed at encouraging African American law students to practice in large D.C. law firms. In 2008, The National Law Journal recognized one of our current partners, Tom Williamson, and a former partner, currently the Attorney General of the United States, as two of “The 50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America.” Our alumni include the first African American Attorney General of the United States, a former Secretary of Veterans Affairs, an award-winning author, a federal district court judge, and an associate judge of the D.C. Court of Appeals. Our African American partners have held or currently serve in key leadership roles at the firm, including membership on the firm’s seven-member Management Committee in the recent past and current leadership of several of the firm’s practice groups (e.g., Employment, Media and Communications and London Technology.) African American partners andBlack Law Students Association April 12, 2012 Page 2

associates also serve on the following firm-wide committees: Evaluation, Summer Associate Program, Budget, Business, Associate Advisory, Diversity, and Retirement Plan.

In addition to our fee-paying practice, Covington eagerly and systematically seeks opportunities to handle pro bono cases that protect the legally underserved and impact the larger community. The firm has successfully challenged discrimination by entities ranging from the Cracker Barrel restaurant chain to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The firm has received numerous awards for its longstanding commitment to pro bono work from organizations such as the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, the Mississippi Center for Justice, and the Southern Center for Human Rights. At the same time Covington remains dedicated to the local community by sponsoring pro bono legal services rotations for C&B lawyers who work at public interest firms in D.C. that serve the poor and a partnership program with an inner city public high school in Washington, D.C.

If you begin your career at Covington, regardless of whether you are interested in litigation, corporate or regulatory practice, you will work with and be mentored by practitioners recognized as among the best in their fields. We urge you to sign up and consider Covington as you plan your interviews for this fall. In the event of a scheduling conflict, please send your resume and transcript to me or to the Recruiting Department; I will make sure that it gets in the right person’s hand for consideration.

Sincerely,

Keir Gumbs Washington, D.C.

Cyril Djoukeng Washington, D.C.

As part of Cooley LLP's ongoing commitment to diversity, we are proud to offer Diversity Fellowships to outstanding law students.  First-year law students who demonstrate a commitment to promoting diversity in their communities are invited to apply for the fellowships.  Award recipients will receive a paid Summer Associate position and an award of up to $15,000 to assist with law school tuition.   Award recipients will be announced in Fall 2012 with the Summer Associate position to start following the successful completion of the recipient's 2L year. 

The eligibility, selection criteria and application process for the program are as follows:

Eligibility 
We welcome applications from all law students who meet these eligibility criteria:

• A demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity in the community
  
• Enrolled full-time in an ABA accredited law school with an anticipated graduation date of 2014 at the time of application
• Not the recipient of a diversity award from another law firm paid between September 1, 2012 and August 31, 2013
• Ability to participate in and complete Cooley's 2013 Summer Associate Program

Selection Criteria 
Recipients will be selected based on consideration of the following factors:

• Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity
• Undergraduate and law school academic performance
• Personal achievement
• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Community service

Application Process 
Applications must include:

• Completed application form
• Personal statement, no more than one single-spaced page, describing the applicant's demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity
• Current resume
• Law school transcript
• Undergraduate transcript
• Other graduate program transcript(s)
• A writing sample is optional

Please note that all of the above information must be completed and attached before the application can be submitted.

For 1L students in the 2011-2012 academic year applications must be received by May 7, 2012.  We will contact selected applicants to arrange personal interviews.  Recipients of the Diversity Fellowship awards will be announced in Fall 2012.

Please direct any inquiries to diversityfellowship@cooley.com.

In honor of the late Oliver W. Hill, the law firm of LeClairRyan is pleased to announce the fourth annual LeClairRyan Diversity Scholarship. One award, in the amount of $5,000.00, will be given to a diverse first year law student who most exemplifies the late Oliver W. Hill’s qualities of legal excellence and selfless dedication to the fight for justice.

 LeClairRyan had two objectives in creating this award:

• To educate law students about the crucial role that Oliver W. Hill has played in American history and the truly extraordinary contribution that he has made in the ongoing struggle for equal justice; and
• To encourage others to continue the type of work to which Oliver W. Hill dedicated his life in the law.

LeClairRyan will select the scholarship recipient based on the following criteria:

• Enrolled in good standing at an ABA-accredited U.S. law school in any state in which LeClairRyan has an office (please visit www.leclairryan.com/offices for a list of current office locations)
• One semester of law school completed
• Law school GPA of at least 3.0
• Identifies as a member of one of the racial/ethnic groups as defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or identifies as LGBT

To apply for the LeClairRyan Diversity Scholarship, student’s must submit a completed application along with a resume, law school transcript, two letters of recommendation from a professor or member of the Bar, and an essay on pursuing social justice through the law (2,000 word maximum) by April 20, 2012 via U.S. mail or e-mail to:

 

Danielle H. Roberts
Recruiting Manager
LeClairRyan

For further information or to download an application, please visit http://www.leclairryan.com/aboutus/xprCallOut.aspx?xpST=Diversity

Established in 2004, the Womble Carlyle Scholars Program awards scholarships to diverse rising second year law students who present solid academic credentials, personal or professional achievement outside the school environment, and significant participation in community service. This program is designed to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the bar. The scholarship is awarded to diverse law students at schools in most of the states in which the firm has offices.

In addition to the scholarship ($4,000.00 per year), an offer of summer employment as a Summer Associate in one of the firm’s thirteen offices is extended to the Scholar after his/her second year of law school. The Scholar may choose to work at the firm all, half (at least six weeks), or none of the summer. While the firm will ultimately determine which office each Scholar will work in, every effort will be made to satisfy each Scholars’ office preference. Scholar salaries during the summer are the same as the firm’s other Summer Associates in each office.

The $4,000.00 scholarship is renewable for the Scholar’s third year of law school and is not contingent upon acceptance of the firm’s summer employment offer after the Scholar’s second year.

Submitting the Application

The scholarship application consists of two parts and must be submitted separately. First, a completed application, cover letter and resume must be submitted by May 14, 2012. The final portion of the scholarship application is due by July 6, 2012. This final portion must include one letter of recommendation, an official transcript of your first year grades, a graded law school brief or a response to a posted essay question and a brief statement. Visit the “careers” section of www.wcsr.com to access the application and further details.

To date, Womble Carlyle has awarded close to 70 scholarships, totaling over $500,000 to deserving students.

We strongly encourage you to apply immediately!

Questions?

Contact: Beth Keasler, Director of Entry-Level Recruiting & Development (704) 331-4979 or bkeasler@wcsr.com

Sidley Austin LLP has been one of the most prominent and progressive proponents of law firm diversity. Sidley’s mission is to attract and retain outstanding lawyers of varied backgrounds who reflect the global marketplace that Sidley serves. Through the leadership of its Diversity Committee and Committee on Retention and Promotion of Women, Sidley aspires to make sustainable progress in its journey toward becoming a more diverse organization. To further promote diversity within the legal profession and within the firm, Sidley offers a Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Initiative for Second Year Law Students. Sidley will grant a $15,000 Sidley Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship to a limited number of deserving second year law students who join Sidley’s summer program. Some information regarding the application process is summarized below.

Selection Criteria
• Have a demonstrated ability to contribute meaningfully to the diversity of the law school, the firm and the legal profession
• Be a second year law student; preference is given to students at schools where Sidley conducts on-campus interviews (OCI) or participates in resume collections
• Have demonstrated academic achievement and leadership qualities

Expectations of Scholarship Recipients
• Join Sidley’s Summer Associate Program following the second year of law school 
• Use the Sidley Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship award to defray the costs of his/her legal education 
• Participate in Sidley’s ongoing dialogue regarding ways to improve diversity and inclusion

Application Timeline
• Students interested in the Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship should apply before interviewing with the firm during OCI. Students attending law schools where Sidley does not conduct OCI are encouraged to apply by September 1. Awardees will be notified of the decision during the course of the recruiting season. The Scholarship application is not an application for employment. Applicants must separately apply for a summer associate position.

How to Apply
• Interested applicants should submit an application, including resume, official law school transcript, legal writing sample and personal statement to Jenny Connelly at scholarship@sidley.com or at Sidley Austin LLP, One South Dearborn, Chicago, Illinois 60603. The application can be found on our website at http://www.sidley.com/careers/northamerica/about/diversityscholars.
• Optional - Letter of recommendation from a professor (law school or undergraduate), employer or personal acquaintance who can meaningfully comment on Applicant’s academic and intellectual strengths, demonstrated commitment to diversity, and/or ability to contribute to Sidley’s diversity efforts.

About Sidley Austin LLP
Sidley Austin LLP, with approximately 1700 lawyers in 18 offices, is one of the world’s largest full-service law firms. The firm offers its clients extensive experience in transactional, regulatory and litigation matters spanning virtually every area of substantive law. Sidley is committed to achieving greater diversity not only within the firm, but also within the legal profession as a whole. For more information about Sidley, please visit www.sidley.com.