Deadline for applications is December 10, 2017 at 11:59 PM
Program Overview:
The HCBA 1L Minority Clerkship Program first began in the fall of 2005 under the direction of the Minnesota State Bar Association. The program places first-year minority law students with Minnesota legal employers for a summer associate experience. Ultimately, the program hopes to find its participants becoming future partners and leaders in Minnesota’s legal community.
The 2017 summer was the program’s eleventh year, and more than 60 students applied and 18 students were placed. Hundreds of law students from underrepresented backgrounds have been served by the program since its inception.
Here Is How It Works:
Each 1L law student, who provides a complete application and who self-identifies as a minority, will be interviewed by members of the HCBA Diversity and Inclusion Committee and other volunteer attorneys during the second week of January. A limited number of students (based on the number of participating employers) will be chosen for a second round of interviews in early February. Those students chosen for the second round of interviews are guaranteed summer employment; however, they will still need to interview with all the participating employers during a day-long interview process. The employers and students will then rank their choices from first to last. HCBA 1L Minority Clerkship Subcommittee will then generate a blind match of employer and students, which will determine the employment matches for the clerkship program.
What You’ll Be Doing:
While the clerkship program is organized through the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the HCBA, it is the individual employers who hire the students. As such, the students are afforded the same level of respect and professionalism as any other person hired by the organization. Each participating employer will hire one or more law students at their organization’s normal salary for a first-year summer clerk position and provide the clerk with legal work, mentoring, frequent performance feedback, and exit interviews. In addition, most employers consider their 1L clerkship student(s) for an offer to return to work in the future (e.g., school year clerk, 2L summer associate, post-graduation, etc.). In turn, each participating student is asked to work for the selected employer for an eight to twelve week period during the summer following their first year of law school. During that time, they will conduct legal work including, but not limited to research, writing, analyzing, and engaging in thoughtful analysis in an effort to serve the employer and the employer’s clients.
How to Apply:
The HCBA will begin accepting applications on Nov. 1, 2017 at http://www.hcba.org/?page=1LApplicationForm. The deadline for applications is Dec. 10, 2017 at 11:59 PM. Applications received after that time will not be considered.
On the application page, applicants should upload a single pdf in the “upload field” that includes the following items in order:
- Resume
- Personal Statement: A one page, 12-point font essay explaining what makes you a unique candidate for this program and how you think your uniqueness will affect your legal career in Minnesota.
- Undergraduate Transcript with GPA (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
Consider contacting your law school’s career services office if you have difficulty preparing your application materials.
Additional Requirements:
After submitting an application, students must also select a first-round interview slot. The link to schedule interview slots will be available on the application page. Though not preferred, students unable to attend in-person may participate by phone or Skype. If you need to change your interview time or make alternative interview arrangements, contact Dana Rindahl at dana@hcba.org or 612-752-6627.
Additionally, students must submit a legal writing sample to dana@hcba.org by 11:59 PM on January 7, 2018. The writing sample should be eight to twelve pages in length and demonstrate your legal reasoning skills.
Information is available at http://www.hcba.org/?page=1LClerkship.
If you would like assistance with your application materials please contact your Career and Professional Development Counselor (or careers@mitchellhamline.edu) to schedule an appointment.