The interns of the 2019 Diversity Clerkship Program. For more photos of the reception, see the State Bar’s Facebook Page.

Aug. 7, 2019 – Over the past 20 years, the attorneys at Stafford Rosenbaum have helped 20 law clerks, through the State Bar of Wisconsin Diversity Clerkship Program, kick off their legal careers.

The law firm, based in Madison and Milwaukee, is a participant employer in the State Bar of Wisconsin Diversity Clerkship Program. The program, now in its 27th year, matches 1L students of diverse backgrounds from the U.W. and Marquette law schools with employers for paid summer internships.

For their commitment to the clerkship program, Stafford Rosenbaum is the recipient of the 2019 Champions of Diversity Award from the Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Committee. The firm was honored at a reception July 18 at the State Bar Center in Madison.

“Our participation in the program is built into our annual calendar,” said Christopher Hughes, managing partner at Stafford Rosenbaum. “It’s ingrained into our firm’s culture.”

Past Stafford Rosenbaum clerks have used their first-year internship experiences to help kick off legal careers throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, and California – and even in Taipei, Taiwan.

 “Employers like Stafford Rosenbaum play a key part in their clerk's professional development as a future lawyer,” said Andrew Chevrez, chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Committee’s Law Student Outreach Committee, which governs the program. “We have seen, through their interactions in the program, the enduring networking and mentoring relationships that go beyond the program.”

Attorneys with Stafford Rosenbaum, recipients of the 2019 the Champions of Diversity Award, pose with their 2019 clerk, Mathias Rekowski (first row, holding the award). Managing Partner Christopher Hughes stands behind Rekowski.

The Diversity Clerkship Program

Over the past 27 years, the Diversity Clerkship Program has placed 492 law students with more than 80 law firms, corporations, and government offices. The program is a summer employment experience that gives first-year law students with diverse backgrounds the opportunity to build legal practice skills and knowledge. Participating employers provide a paid, 10-week summer clerkship opportunty.

“I consider the program to be the crown jewel among State Bar diversity and inclusion initiatives,” said Chevrez.

In participating in the program, students develop vital interviewing skills, actual professional legal experience, and greater confidence to give them a boost when going into their 2L clerkship interviews.

“It’s a great opportunity to get to know the 1L students,” Hughes said. “The vetting the State Bar does is fantastic.”

Around 50 students applied for this year’s program, which requires a detailed application. Every applicant also interviews with at least two lawyers, whether or not they are accepted into the program. Applicants who are accepted subsequently interview with every participating employer.

“The program application process is designed to closely mimic the real-life pursuit of legal employment,” Chevrez said. “Program alumnus come away with a better understanding of the universe of possibilities that exist within legal practice. It is not uncommon for them to acquire an interest in a field previously not contemplated.”

This year’s Stafford Rosenbaum clerk, Mathias Rekowski, worked over the summer in estate planning, employment and intellectual property law, and other areas. He conducted research, drafted documents, and wrote memos and blog articles. The experience of working at Stafford Rosenbaum has given him more ideas about areas for future practice. “They have made it all so enjoyable that my interests have only increased,” he said. “I've learned quite a bit about the law as well as the legal profession generally,” he said.

Stafford Rosenbaum joins three other employers – Boardman & Clark, The Law Offices of Thomas P. Stilp, and Northwestern Mutual – who have participated in the program for 20 or more years.

Not only do employers like Stafford Rosenbaum contribute to strengthening diversity and inclusion in the practice of law in Wisconsin, they provide a positive experience that inspires students to consider remaining in Wisconsin after graduation.

“Our employers are the true lifeblood of the program,” Chevrez said.

Clerk Jenny Kumosz, left, stands with Daniel Miller of Hall, Render, Killian, Health & Lyman.

Champion of Diversity

The Champions of Diversity Award recognizes employers who show years of commitment to the program and provide a quality experience for their clerks.

“We are very thankful for Stafford Rosenbaum’s unwavering commitment to the program,” said Chevrez. “In participating for 20 years, they have shepherded their clerks to go on to illustrious legal careers.”

“Participating in this program is now part of who we are and what we do,” Hughes said. “We want to reflect who our clients are and who we aspire to be.”

The program is one aspect of the firm’s diversity efforts. Attorneys at Stafford Rosenbaum are given 20 hours toward their billable hour requirement to use for diversity and inclusion activities. They are also required to take at least one CLE on a diversity and inclusion topic each year. “In addition to encouraging attorneys to participate in external CLE sessions on diversity and inclusion, we offer in-house CLE seminars,” Hughes said. “We try to remove barriers for people to learn.”

It’s a long-term commitment vital to the firm. “It’s now ingrained into our firm’s culture. And we do it because it makes our work environment better.”

Kristin Degeneffe (left) and Elena Hafenbredl (right) of Quartz Health Solutions, pose with their clerk, Lauren Nelson (center).