For over a decade, the TCDIP 1L Clerkship has helped
launch the careers of law students in the Twin Cities.
We strengthen a diverse legal talent pipeline with strategic partnerships
between TCDIP Members from law firms and corporate legal departments.
Watch our recorded webinars with TCIDP 1L Clerkship Alumni! 2025 October Webinar | 2025 November Webinar
Learn about the TCDIP 1L Clerkship Program from TCDIP Staff and TCDIP 1L Clerkship alumni! Bring your questions about working at a law firm and corporate legal department in Minnesota and the application process.
Programming and benefits for TCDIP 1L Clerks include the following:
• Exposure to Leadership: Throughout the summer, TCDIP 1L Clerks have multiple opportunities to engage with senior leadership from across TCDIP. Our Board of Directors, Emerging Leaders Group, and Members all devote time to getting to know Clerks and sharing more about the Twin Cities legal community.
• Professional Development: TCDIP 1L Clerks participate in professional development programs focused on developing authentic relationship-building skills.
• Small Group Professional Coaching: TCDIP 1L Clerks have the opportunity to sign up for small group sessions with a professional coach. TCDIP 1L Clerks are encouraged to discuss topics such as work-life balance, navigating office politics, and specific individual concerns during the coaching sessions. These sessions take place outside of work hours and are confidential.
• Meaningful Mentorship: TCDIP 1L Clerks have the opportunity to meet with mentors from outside their organization throughout the summer.
• Connections to Alumni: At the beginning of the summer, TCDIP 1L Clerks connect with program alumni who share their tips and tricks for building a successful summer experience.
View 2026 TCDIP 1L Clerkship Positions and Apply
View our 2026 TCDIP 1L Clerkship opportunities below by clicking “open”! We are proud to host 30 paid positions for 1L students. The mission of TCDIP is to build opportunity and community for attorneys of color and all who seek to advance an inclusive profession. TCDIP 1L Clerkship Applications are open to all students and there is no prohibition to apply based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, or other characteristics.
All TCDIP 1L Clerks are hired and employed directly by the law firm for the duration of their TCDIP 1L Clerkship experience.
To apply, please read the application instructions for each firm closely, and apply as instructed. Application instructions are called out, but please be sure to read the full job posting for each firm closely to understand the position available and the qualities each firm is seeking. Students will need to submit individual applications for each position. If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact the 1L Clerkship contact for the firm, or email info@diversityinpractice.org. Most firms accept applications on a rolling basis, and some firms have additional specific deadlines.
Open
Arthur Chapman Kettering Smetak & Pikala, P.A.
Corporate Partner: Life Time
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2027 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
Apply to: recruiting@arthurchapman.com
Application Instructions: This position is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Best and Flannagan
Corporate Partner: Jamf
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2027 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: recruitment@bestlaw.com
Application Instructions: This position is closed, thank you.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Corporate Partners: Prime Therapeutics, US Bank, CH Robinson, Xcel Energy
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2027 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: recruiting@dorsey.com
Application Instructions: This position is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Corporate Partners: Cargill, Intact Insurance, Xcel Energy
Hiring Goals: Students hired as 1Ls for summer 2026 will receive a combined offer to to join the 2027 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: keara.bores@faegredrinker.com
Application Instructions: This position is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Corporate Partner: Life Time
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2027 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: lawrecruiting@fredlaw.com
Application Instructions: This posting is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Greene Espel PLLP
Corporate Partner: Cargill and Medtronic
Hiring Goals: Providing great legal experience for 1L Clerks.
1L Clerkship Contact: cokerson@greeneespel.com
Application Instructions: This position is closed, thankyou.
Jones Day
Corporate Partner: N/A
Hiring Goals: Students hired as 1Ls for summer 2026 will receive a combined offer to to join the 2027 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: msauceman@jonesday.com
Application Instructions: This position is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Kennedy & Graven
Corporate Partner: N/A
Hiring Goals: Providing great legal experience for 1L Clerks.
1L Clerkship Contact: sschmale@kennedy-graven.com
Application Instructions: This position is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Larkin Hoffman
Corporate Partner: N/A
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2027 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
1L Clerkship Contact: hrmail@larkinhoffman.com
Application Instructions: This position is closed, thank you.
Lathrop GPM LLP
Corporate Partner: CHS
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2027 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: recruiting@lathropgpm.com.
Application Instructions: This position is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2027 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
Partner Organization: Metropolitan Council
1L Clerkship Contact: segirard@locklaw.com
Application Instructions: This position is closed, thank you.
Maslon LLP
Corporate Partner: Mortenson, U.S. Bank
Hiring Goals: Students hired as 1Ls for summer 2026 will receive a combined offer to to join the 2027 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: angie.roell@maslon.com
Application Instructions: This position is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Meagher & Geer
Corporate Partner: Ameriprise Financial
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2027 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
1L Clerkship Contact: czwart@meagher.com
Application Instructions: This position is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Merchant and Gould
Corporate Partner: N/A
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2027 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
1L Clerkship Contact: ratencio@merchantgould.com
Application Instructions: This position is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Nelson Mullins
Corporate Partner: Pentair
Hiring Goals: Evaluating Candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2027 2L Summer Associate hiring needs
1L Clerkship Contact: nm.recruiting@nelsonmullins.com
Application Instructions: This position is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Robins Kaplan
Corporate Partner: Inspire Medical and CH Robinson,
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2027 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.1L Clerkship Contact: PVue@RobinsKaplan.com
Application Instruction: This position is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Stinson LLP
Corporate Partner: US Bank and Mortenson Construction
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2027 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: recruiting@stinson.com
Application Instructions: This position is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Stoel Rives
Corporate Partner: TBD
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2027 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
1L Clerkship Contact: attorneyrecruiting@stoel.com
Application Instructions: This position is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Taft Stettinius & Hollister
Corporate Partner: Xcel Energy
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2027 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: mgeannette@taftlaw.com
Application Instructions: This position is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Winthrop & Weinstine
Corporate Partner: Sherman Associates
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2027 2L Summer Associate class
1L Clerkship Contact: HR@Winthrop.com
Application Instructions: This position is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Zelle LLP
Corporate Partner: Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2026 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
1L Clerkship Contact: hr@zellelaw.com
Application Instructions: This position is no longer accepting applications, thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the TCDIP 1L Clerkship?
Open
TCDIP encourages all 1L students from across the country to apply, including students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds. Students apply directly to the law firm starting on November 19, 2025. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.
What is the summer schedule for TCDIP 1L Clerks?
Open
Employers work together to customize a schedule that works best for their organizations and Clerks. Most TCDIP 1L Clerks work some portion of the summer in a Member law firm and some portion of the summer in a Member corporate legal department. Other clerks may work primarily in a law firm setting, with regular opportunities to visit and engage with corporate employers. The TCDIP 1L Clerkship usually lasts between 10 and 12 weeks.
What will you do as a TCDIP 1L Clerk?
Open
Clerks engage in meaningful work assignments designed to build legal skills and educate Clerks on the roles and responsibilities of attorneys working within a law firm and in-house legal department setting. Law firm and corporate employers will provide one or more designated Supervisors within each work setting. Supervisors and others will provide timely feedback and evaluation of Clerks.
What programming does TCDIP provide for TCDIP 1L Clerks?
Open
In addition to the programming offered by their employers, Clerks are invited to attend several TCDIP- sponsored events over the course of the summer, including a welcome reception, professional development workshops, and a networking brunch with our Emerging Leaders Group. In addition, TCDIP 1L Clerks have an opportunity to meet with mentors from our Emerging Leaders Group and TCDIP Board to expand their connections in the Twin Cities legal community. TCDIP’s Executive Director, Summra M. Shariff, also serves as a resource for all Clerks and employers over the course of the summer.
How are TCDIP 1L Clerks recruited and hired?
Open
TCDIP promotes the program to top 100 law schools nationwide, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and law schools in the Midwest to help recruit a diverse pool of candidates. Law students apply directly to participating law firm Members based on instructions posted on the TCDIP website. TCDIP 1L Clerkship jobs are posted to our website, and employers also post summer positions on other platforms. The law firms are responsible for screening, selecting, and hiring TCDIP 1L Clerks in coordination with their corporate partner.
What are the compensation guidelines for TCDIP 1L Clerks?
Open
Law firm Members are responsible for paying a salary to the summer clerk for the entire clerkship period, including the time clerks are working with the corporate Member. TCDIP does not provide specific compensation guidelines but asks that Members pay TCDIP 1L Clerks at the same rate as other 1L students working at their organization.
Who is responsible for supervising and evaluating clerkship participants?
Open
Law firm and corporate Members should make sure their Clerk has a designated supervisor within each work setting. Supervisors and others should provide timely feedback and evaluation of Clerks. We ask Members to provide meaningful work assignments designed to build legal skills and educate Clerks on the roles and responsibilities of attorneys working within a law firm and in-house legal department setting.
Information
For TCDIP Members
Open
Stay tuned for 2026 dates!
1. Review the 2025-2026 Guide for Law Firms and Corporate Legal Departments which includes best practices for a successful summer.
2. Determine the number of TCDIP Clerks your organization would like to host.
3. Identify a partnering Member Organization. We ask law firm and corporate Members to partner with each other to host a Clerk. Each law firm hires a Clerk who will also work with a partnering corporate legal department during the summer. If you are unsure what organization you would like to partner with, email info@diversityinpractice.org for a list of Member Organizations, Member Representatives, and recruiting contacts. Please contact info@diversityinpractice.org if you have any questions.
4. Negotiate the terms of the clerkship with your partner Organization. Be sure to discuss agreements or documents that may need to be signed (e.g., indemnity agreements, secondment agreements, etc.). You may also want to discuss how the Clerk’s schedule will be split between the firm and the corporation. It is important to ensure that both Organizations are in agreement about the details of hosting a clerk before registering with TCDIP. When contacting partner firms or corporations, please include both the Member Representative and recruiting professional(s) (if listed) on all communications.
5. Register with TCDIP. Once you have confirmed your agreements with a partnering organization, both the law firm and corporate Member Organizations should fill out a registration form. If you encounter any issues with the form, please email info@diversityinpractice.org. Once organizations have registered, we will reach out to the law firms for job postings and start promoting the clerkships to law schools across the country.
For Students
Open
Important dates for students:
November 19, 2025: Applications open for law students to apply for 1L Clerkship positions. Many applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Please read the instructions for each application carefully. Students are encouraged to apply early!
January 23, 2026: First deadline for TCDIP 1L Clerkship Applications.
Spring 2026: Clerks are notified of placements.
See our FAQ for more information! Available Positions: Stay tuned.