Baker Donelson Scholarship

Baker Donelson is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where the individual differences among us are understood, respected, appreciated, and recognized as sources of strength of the Firm. These qualities enrich the environment in which we work. Since 2008, we are proud to have awarded 40 diversity scholarships.

 

With this in mind, we are delighted to announce that the 2027 Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship application is now available!  We will award three scholarships to three rising 2L law students who will complete their first year of law school by June 2026. Recipients will be awarded a minimum six-week, salaried 2L Summer Associate position for the summer of 2027 in one of our Firm’s offices. Additionally, each recipient will be awarded $20,000, to help defray the cost of law school tuition and related expenses, which will be paid in two disbursements, conditioned on the following:

• $10,000 will be awarded after the completion of a 2L summer associate clerkship, and
• $10,000 will be awarded upon the Firm extending a full-time associate offer, the recipient’s acceptance of that offer, and successful graduation from law school.

 

Eligibility.

The application process is open to all law students enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school of any race, color, religion, citizenship, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military service, disability, or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable law.

 

We consider all applications and consider the following factors in applicants:

 

1. Have completed their first year of a full-time JD program with an anticipated graduation date of 2028 at the time of application.
2. Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in their communities and/or in the legal profession.
3. Academic and leadership achievements.

1. Obstacles or challenges (financial or otherwise) encountered in advancing career objectives.
2. Life experiences that have shaped values and professional goals.
3. A desire to practice in a large law firm.
4. Candidates may not be a recipient of a similar scholarship award from another firm.

 

Students whose background or experience contributes to the diversity of the legal profession are encouraged to apply.

 

Application Deadline and Requirements. Applications are due by midnight, Friday, April 10, 2026. Interested students must include the documents below with their application. Students will have the availability to save their application and upload these at a later time. Students may start the application process using this link.

1. Current Resume including undergraduate GPA and law school GPA and class rank (if available)
2. Personal Statement. How do you currently contribute, or how do you envision yourself contributing, to diversity and inclusion within your community and the legal profession? Please reflect on any obstacles or challenges you have faced in advancing your career objectives, as well as any life experiences that have shaped your values and professional goals. Please limit to 500 words.
3. Unofficial Law School Transcript must include 1L Fall semester grades.
4. Legal Writing Sample. The sample may be from your legal writing course in law school (please limit to 10 pages).

 

We hope that you will share this announcement with your current 1L law students and all affinity groups at your law school.

 

Please direct all questions about our 2027 Diversity Scholarship to one of the following:

 

Helen Beasley Recruiting Department Coordinator 205.244.3833 [email protected]

 

Marisol Gonzalez Diversity and Baker Women Coordinator 713.210.7416 [email protected]