Aug. 4, 2025 – It is a program to boost the next generation of lawyers – and also Wisconsin legal firms and organizations who employ them.
The State Bar of Wisconsin’s Diversity Clerkship Program matches first-year law students from all backgrounds from Wisconsin law schools with legal offices, firms, and corporations for a 10-week summer clerkship.
Shannon Green is communications writer for the State Bar of Wisconsin, Madison. She can be reached by
email or by phone at (608) 250-6135.
Over its 33-year history, the Diversity Clerkship program has facilitated 89 employers working with more than 620 law clerks. It is competitive – in 2025, the program received 77 applications for 16 positions.
Established to foster meaningful professional experiences and expand access to the legal field, this program aims to bridge the gap between academic study and practical work. By connecting aspiring legal professionals with seasoned practitioners, it not only enhances participants’ legal skills but also strengthens the network of Wisconsin’s legal community.
“Three decades ago, the State Bar of Wisconsin's diversity clerkship program was established for the purpose of creating summer employment opportunities for law students. The program allows participants to build their legal practice skills and expand their practical knowledge of the legal profession,” said State Bar Executive Director, Larry Martin. “It has proven to be a wise investment. Thus far, it's opened the doors to more than 600 future lawyers, with many more to come.”
Clerk Alexander Richardson, center, receives his certificate from Judge Kori Ashley, DIOC co-chair, left, and State Bar President Dan Gartzke, right.
Their First Legal Work
The clerks and employers celebrated the program and their successes at a reception July 24, 2025, at the State Bar Center in Madison. Clerks spoke of their experience over the summer:
Alejandra Aviles, who clerked with Regal Rexnord Corporation, said her experience “shed light on the practice side of the law, and illuminated the kind of attorney I want to be.”
Chynna Pomales said she learned from her mentors at Dane County Corporation Counsel “about what makes their career sustainable despite dealing with some heavy topics at times,” she said. “I learned that law doesn’t happen in a vacuum, that it depends on our community and everything we put into it.”
Christopher Altizer, who clerked with Keyes & Fox LLP, said that joining the team practicing in public utilities included a steep learning curve. “I was able to really get an in-depth sense of this area of law,” he said. Thanks to his mentors at the firm, “I felt able to take on projects and be part of the team that is committed to doing really incredible work.”
Marlo Fields spent his clerkship with Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C. He started the summer with curiosity about the daily work of a lawyer. “They showed me the time and effort it takes to be an effective lawyer. … They gave me straightforward answers, helping me feel confident in myself and my skills to do the very complex tasks lawyers do.”
Sebastian Llaca, who clerked with Northwestern Mutual Insurance, said the experience demonstrated to him the real-world uses of skills he’s worked on in law school, such as legal analysis, advocacy, and writing. Working in regulatory law “really expanded my horizons,” he said.
Law Forward attorneys celebrate their clerk, Molly Fraser (center).
The Employers’ Experiences
Employers’ experiences highlight the impact that law students have within their organizations, as well as the skills and perspectives these students contribute. The program provides benefits to both the clerks and the organizations involved.
“Thank you to all of the employers, because the program would not be possible without you,” said Marisol González Castillo, DIOC co-chair.
Employers in the program shared their experiences with their summer clerks:
Bill Foley said everyone at TruStage noted their appreciation for their clerk, Yezen Said. “Yezen brings a fresh and unique perspectives to our organization, and we’re grateful to the State Bar of Wisconsin for once again making these connections possible!”
Similarly, Glen Mercier of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections emphasized Clark Han’s seamless integration into their daily operations and his willingness to explore varied legal areas. "Clark holds the tradition of excellence and professionalism within the State Bar Diversity Clerkship Program," he said.
Melissa Fitzgerald of Church Mutual Insurance Company praised clerk Josh Busher for his inquisitive nature and enthusiasm, noting he significantly contributed to both long-term and short-term projects. "Josh’s positive attitude and enthusiasm have been infectious," she said. “We are fortunate to have him as our intern this year.”
During the program, clerks were invited to talk about their experiences. Sharing the stage are, from left, Carlos Sanchez, Josh Busher, and Sebastian Llaca.
Carlos Pabellon, Dane County Corporation Counsel, shared high praise for Chynna Pomales, highlighting her ability to grasp the real-world impact of legal issues. "Chynna’s best qualities include her interest in exploring how the law affects real people. She fits in seamlessly and brings a lot of joy (and also tech skills!) to our group,” Pabellon said.
“GE HealthCare has been thrilled to participate in the Diversity Clerkship program again this year,” said Heidi Retzlaff of GE HealthCare. Their clerk, Rameen Mohammed, “has been a pleasure to work with and a valuable addition to our legal team," she said.
Julie Fischer of Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, PC, described their clerk Carlos Sanchez as a wonderful addition. “True to form, the Wisconsin State Bar Diversity Clerkship Program once again matched us up with a wonderful person and excellent addition to our summer program,” she said.
At Keyes & Fox LLP, Tim Lindl said their clerk Christopher Altizer quickly tackled complex issues with insight typically seen in more experienced attorneys. “Chris has demonstrated an understanding of energy law well beyond what would be expected from someone with his experience,” Lindl said.
Michael Haas of the Madison City Attorney's Office, left, and clerk Gopi Ramanathan, right, pose for a photo together during the celebration.
Scott Thompson said everyone at Law Forward applauds Molly Fraser's incredible commitment and strong legal skills. As an adept researcher and quick learner, "her work product has helped our litigators understand significant strategic obstacles in new light," Thompson said.
The attorneys with the Office of Lawyer Regulation expressed gratitude for Alexander Richardson, noting his thoughtful approach and the lasting impact of his work. "He’s everything we could have hoped for in a summer clerk," said OLR Director Tim Samuelson.
Barbara Klug of Regal Rexnord Corporation expressed great satisfaction with Alejandra Aviles' thoughtful legal analysis and flexibility across diverse projects. "Her willingness to dive into any projects thrown her way has made her a great asset to our organization," Klug said.
Interested in participating as an employer next year?
Visit the program’s page on WisBar.org for more information.
Clerks from the Class of 2025 program include Marquette University Law School students, from left, Yezen Said, Molly Fraser, Alejandra Aviles, and Carlos Sanchez.
Thank You to Our 2025 Employers
- Bell Moore & Richter, S.C.
- Church Mutual Insurance Company
- Dane County Corporation Counsel
- GE Healthcare
- Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman, PC
- Keyes & Fox LLP
- Law Forward
- Madison City Attorney’s Office
- Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company
- Office of Lawyer Regulation
- Ohiku Law Office
- Racine City Attorney’s Office
- Regal Rexnord Corporation
- Stafford Rosenbaum LLP
- TruStage
- Wisconsin Department of Corrections
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Law Foundation
The Diversity Clerkship Program reception is funded by a generous grant from the
Wisconsin Law Foundation, the charitable arm of the State Bar of Wisconsin. Find out more about the Foundation’s programs by visiting
wisbar.org/wlf.
