Join Maine’s legal community and other first-year law students in this first-of-its-kind initiative, the Maine Diversity Summer Associate Program.
About the Program
As a part of our organizations’ shared commitment to diversity and inclusion, Bernstein Shur, Pierce Atwood, Verrill, The Jackson Laboratory, Preti Flaherty, Brann & Isaacson, Unum, WEX, Drummond Woodsum, IDEXX, L.L.Bean, and Martin's Point are jointly seeking 1L students who have a demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion to apply as a ten-week Maine Diversity Summer Associate, assigned to one of our offices in Portland, Freeport, Westbrook, Lewiston or Bar Harbor, Maine. We see individual differences as critically important components to providing outstanding client service and a better work environment for our attorneys and staff. Dimensions of diversity include age, ability, culture, education, family educational history, ethnicity, gender, geography, language, military service, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.
Our goal is to provide a meaningful private law firm work experience to students who have completed one year of law school and who will contribute to the diversity and inclusion efforts of our firms and the Maine legal community. Candidates must have an excellent academic record, exceptional writing ability, strong analytical and interpersonal skills, and demonstrated self-confidence. The program will run from May 28th – August 2nd, 2024.
Who Should Apply?
First-year law students attending law school anywhere in the United States are eligible to apply.
Candidates must have an excellent academic record, exceptional writing ability, strong analytical and interpersonal skills, and demonstrated self-confidence. Candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion.
All participating firms are equal employment opportunity employers and all qualified applicants will receive consideration.
How to Apply
Applications will open on November 13, 2023 and will be accepted on a rolling basis until December 29, 2023.
Interested students should submit a cover letter, resume, current law school transcript, and a brief personal statement concerning their commitment to diversity and inclusion and/or why they believe diversity and inclusion are important in the legal profession via the red APPLY button on the website on or after that date. Any additional questions can be sent to Michele Pattenaude at MaineDiversity1Lprogram@gmail.com.
Send us your questions about the program.
Interviews will be conducted on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 and offers will go out on or before February 2024.
What Accepted Students Can Expect
Accepted 1L students will each receive a job offer from one of the twelve participating organizations and will be hired into the program, a ten-week paid internship, running from May 28th – August 2nd, 2024. Students accepted to the program will have the opportunity to experience legal practice and life in Maine, participate in professional development programs, and build their social and business networks within the firm and the larger legal community.
Housing
University of Southern Maine has affordable rental Suite and Apartment style housing available for D1L students at the Gorham or Portland campuses. More details will be provided during the interview process in January 2024.
Participating Organizations
The program is expected to expand in the future to include additional law firms, corporate legal departments, nonprofits, and other legal service providers.
Please direct any questions regarding how your organization can participate in next year’s program to MaineDiversity1Lprogram@gmail.com.