December 2004

Jan. 28 application deadline

2004 a record-breaking year for Minority Clerkship Program

Last summer, a record 24 law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies provided summer employment and valuable legal experience to 25 first-year minority law students.

The State Bar Committee to Encourage the Placement of Minority Lawyers, a subcommittee of the State Bar Diversity Outreach Committee, sponsors and administers the Minority Summer Clerkship Program to promote placing minority students in settings where they traditionally have been underrepresented and assists employers interested in diversifying their legal staff. Now in its 11th year, the program has provided first-hand experience in corporate, private, and governmental offices to more than 165 students.

"Many firms and organizations are long-time program participants," says Program Chair Jamila Covington. "In 2004, we increased participation with seven new employers, enabling us to offer more first-year law students an educational and `real-world' experience and an opportunity to develop their legal skills and acquire substantive legal knowledge. Employers benefit by working with talented individuals from diverse backgrounds with unique perspectives."

Marquette and U.W. law school minority students who have successfully completed their first year may apply. After a rigorous application, interview, and selection process, the committee matches students with employers. Employers agree to accept a student match and to hire a program student on the same terms as first-year summer associates - providing the same salary, work experience, and social opportunities.

Employers can enroll through Jan. 28. For more information, contact Covington (414) 271-5000; or project coordinator Patricia Morgan at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6107, (608) 250-6107.