Goodwin, a global 50 law firm, today announced the expansion of its 1L Diversity Fellowship Program and the creation of a new 2L Diversity Fellowship Program. The fellowships are designed to promote diversity at Goodwin and in the legal profession.
“We believe that cultivating a diverse and inclusive law firm is critical to our business and to serving our clients and the broader legal and business communities,” said David M. Hashmall, Chairman of Goodwin and head of the firm’s Inclusion Advisory Committee. “As part of our commitment, we are pleased to offer our 1L Diversity Fellowships for the 12th year in a row, with an increased number of seats and a new scholarship element, and to launch our 2L Diversity Fellowship Program.”
Established in 2005, Goodwin’s 1L Diversity Fellowships provide first-year law students from underrepresented backgrounds with awards of $10,000 each to help cover expenses while working in a public interest law position during the summer after their first year of law school. Beginning this year, Goodwin will offer eight fellowships, and fellows will also be considered for the Wayne A. Budd and Marian A. Tse Diversity Scholarships. These scholarships will provide selected recipients with a paid summer associate position in one of Goodwin’s U.S. offices during Summer 2018, plus $10,000 toward third-year tuition costs. Named in honor of diversity trailblazers and champions Wayne Budd and Marian Tse, the scholarships are designed to offer meaningful opportunities to talented law students who are underrepresented in the legal profession. Application guidelines and forms are available online; the application deadline is February 21, 2017.
The newly created Goodwin 2L Diversity Fellowships provide second-year law students from underrepresented backgrounds with awards of $15,000 each to help cover expenses for their third year of law school. The funds will be paid out half upon completion of Goodwin’s 2L summer program and half upon starting as a full-time associate at the firm. The fellowships are named in honor of Richard A. Soden and Paul W. Lee for their exceptional commitments to diversity. The online application will be available beginning June 1, 2017.
“We are thrilled to launch our 2L Diversity Fellowships,” said Kenneth J. Gordon, Goodwin’s National Hiring Partner. “This new program furthers our commitment to recruiting talented lawyers who will contribute to the advancement of diversity within our firm and in the legal profession.”
Questions about Goodwin’s Diversity Fellowship Program may be directed to fellowships@goodwinlaw.com.