The Rochester Legal Diversity Clerkship Program is co-sponsored by the MCBA (through its Diversity Committee), the Rochester Black Bar Association (RBBA), and the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys (GRAWA). This program seeks to increase diversity in the legal profession in the Rochester area by attracting qualified first-year law students from historically under-represented groups within the legal profession, including racial and ethnic minorities, to work in paid positions with Rochester area law firms and other legal employers.
The sponsoring bars and participating employers believe that a diverse work force provides better service to clients and a better work environment for attorneys and staff. These organizations are committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting attorneys who contribute to the overall diversity of the legal community in Rochester. The purpose of the Rochester Legal Diversity Clerkship Program is to provide Rochester-based work experience to law students of diverse backgrounds, with the long-term goal of increasing the diversity of the legal community. The clerkship typically lasts eight to ten weeks and the participating organizations pay their standard 1L rate which has ranged from $500-$1,000 or more.
1. Application: Eligible first year law students are required to submit a formal application, current resume, undergraduate and law school transcripts, a personal statement and the designated writing sample on or before the deadline for submissions.
2. Interviews: Based on the application materials submitted, qualified candidates are invited to Rochester on a Saturday for an interview conducted by members of the Diversity Committee. Students must secure their own transportation to Rochester for the interviews.
3. Selection process: After the interviews, the Diversity Committee ranks students based on the criteria described above, and then selects the students who will receive offers, along with alternates.
4. Offers: Selected students receive an offer of placement with a particular organization and are given three days to accept the initial offer* (there is no discussion of monetary terms at this point). If an offer is declined, the position will be extended to an alternate until all positions are filled. Offers are based on random assignment, but a preference for a public interest/sector position (instead of a private firm) will be accommodated to the extent possible. Students who decline offers will not be given the option of an alternate placement.
SUMMER 2012 APPLICATION MATERIALS
Past participating Law Firms/Organizations have included (organizations for summer 2012 have not yet been confirmed):
Boylan, Brown, Code, Vigdor & Wilson LLP
Brown & Hutchinson
Chamberlain D'Amanda
Eastman Kodak Company
Harris Beach PLLC
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Hiscock & Barclay LLP
Monroe County Public Defenders Office
Nixon Peabody LLP
Phillips Lytle LLP
Thomson Reuters
Trevett Cristo Salzer & Andolina PC
Volunteer Legal Services Project (and other legal service providers)
Ward Norris Heller & Reidy
The Wolford Firm
Woods Oviatt Gilman LL
Additional details and applications can be found on the CSM under the "Jobs non-OCR" tab.
Application deadline: February 14, 2012 on the Career Services Manager (CSM).