Weil 1L Diversity Fellowship

As the first New York based law firm to institute a firm-wide diversity training program and a formal diversity policy in 1984, Weil has built a solid reputation as a firm in the vanguard of diversity practices. Our attorneys, paralegals and staff throughout the world are composed of a rich mixture of men and women of different races, ethnic backgrounds, cultures and primary languages. We are strengthened enormously by this diversity. The Weil 1L Diversity Fellowship Program is designed to increase the number of diverse attorneys who want to pursue careers at Weil.

To become a Weil 1L Diversity Fellow, you must be enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school and intend to practice law in a major city of the United States. You must have successfully completed the first semester of your first year of a full-time JD program, with an expected graduation date of spring 2015, and you may not be the recipient of a similar scholarship award from another law firm. 

Weil 1L Diversity Fellows will receive a gift of a $10,000 non-renewable scholarship for his/her second year of law school (2013-2014). This scholarship is contingent upon accepting an offer of summer employment at Weil.

The application process is open to law students who meet the eligibility requirements stated above. Applications must be received by January 13, 2013. A selection panel will evaluate all applications, considering such factors as an overall commitment to diversity, work experience and academic achievement. Late or incomplete applications may be reviewed at the discretion of the selection panel. Finalists will be selected and interviewed for the Fellowship Program after all applications have been reviewed. Diversity fellow(s) will be announced in March 2013.
 
Application
To be considered for the Weil 1L Diversity Fellowship Program, please complete and submit an online application by clicking here.

Your completed online application package must include the following items:

- Resume
- Unofficial or Official Law School Transcript
- Personal Statement (no more than two (2) pages, double spaced)

Please note, while we do require a law school transcript, we understand that some schools will not release first semester grades by the application deadline. Please include the grades you have at the time of submission; you may supplement your application by emailing Maryann Wou, Assistant Director, Legal Recruiting at maryann.wou@weil.com with your final transcript. 

It is not necessary to apply to the summer associate program separately; your completed application denotes consideration for the entire summer program/scholarship package. In your personal statement, we request that you discuss how you will contribute to diversity in the legal profession generally, including (to the extent applicable) such factors as:

- Ability and commitment to contribute to the diversity objectives of global law firms
- Life experiences that have shaped your values and that provide you with a unique perspective, including any obstacles or challenges you overcame in choosing or pursuing law as a profession
- Academic and/or leadership achievements
- Desire to practice in a global law firm environment

If you have any questions regarding the Weil 1L Diversity Fellowship Program, please contact Maryann Wou at 212-833-3533 or the email address listed above.