*The deadline for applications is November 27, 2019 at 11:59 PM.
HCBA 1L Minority Clerkship Program 2020 Student Information
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 2019 summer was the program’s thirteenth year, and nearly 60 students applied and 16 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, 2019 at https://mnbar.wufoo.com/forms/1l-minority-clerkship-program/. The deadline for applications is Nov. 27, 2019 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 Times New Roman font, single spaced, with one-inch margin essay explaining: (a) how your identity, background, culture, or life experience makes you unique; (b) how your unique perspective will add value to the legal community; and (c) what motivates you to stay and practice law in Minnesota.
- Undergraduate Transcript with GPA (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
First-round interview slot: 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 Athena Hollins at ahollins@mnbars.org or 612-278-6321.
Legal writing sample: Students must submit a legal writing sample to ahollins@mnbars.org by 11:59 PM on January 5, 2020. The writing sample should be eight to twelve pages in length and demonstrate your legal reasoning skills.
If you would like assistance with your application materials please contact your career counselor (or careers@mitchellhamline.edu to request your career counselor’s contact information). In the meantime, check out our sample resumes.