Minority & Diversity Clerkship Program
clerkship experience, and all of my subsequent professional
achievements have flowed from that opportunity. It is a
powerful program.”
that, after joining the host firm as a permanent associate, he
took the initiative to join and actively contribute to that firm’s
diversity committee.
The Program also benefits the participating law firms
by providing them with an opportunity to host a diverse
candidate for the summer – a feat that too often has proved
challenging, especially for small-to-medium sized law firms
competing for large-firm talent. Besides the value gained
from exposing the firms to the benefits of a more diverse
workforce, participating firms receive a valuable “leg up”
on the law firm competition by getting an early opportunity
– before the second-year recruiting process even begins
– to work with and develop a relationship with a qualified
diverse candidate. The Program also helps the law firms
stay focused on maintaining a culture of diversity and
inclusiveness. This in turn undoubtedly can have a lasting
impact on the first-year students. Once in the workforce,
many are motivated to actively assist in their firm’s diversity
and inclusiveness efforts. For example, Raj Shah, a
graduate from The University of Georgia School of Law, was
so impacted by his experience clerking through the Program
The Minority & Diversity Clerkship Program’s 30-year
record of success is remarkable, and it has overcome many
obstacles. Most significantly, the Program has weathered
the storm created by the poor economy and its impact on
law firms and the clients they serve. Despite challenges,
the Program and its participating law firms continue to
successfully place first-year students from underrepresented
minority groups in summer clerkships, which assists in the
development of a valuable pipeline of diverse 2L summer
clerks with substantive legal experience and exposure. As
a result, the Program benefits not just the hosting law firms
and corporate legal departments, but the Atlanta Bar at large.
M&DCP
Celebrates
If you would like more information on the program, please
contact Mariana Pannell at [email protected] or
(404) 537-4930.
30
The Atlanta Bar Association Minority & Diversity Clerkship Program
was established in 1985 and offers law firm clerkships for minority
and diverse 1L students attending the five accredited Georgia
law schools. Learn more.
The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association
October 2014
THE ATLANTA LAWYER
27