For over a decade, the TCDIP 1L Clerkship has helped
launch the careers of law students of color in the Twin Cities.
We strengthen the legal talent pipeline with strategic partnerships
between TCDIP Members from law firms and corporate legal departments.
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.
TCDIP 1L Clerkship Positions
View 2025 TCDIP 1L Clerkship Positions and Apply
View our 2025 TCDIP 1L Clerkship opportunities below by clicking “open”! We are proud to host over 35 paid positions for 1L students. The mission of TCDIP is to attract, recruit, advance, and retain attorneys of color in the Twin Cities through education and collaboration with member organizations. 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: Travelers Insurance
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2026 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
Apply to: recruiting@arthurchapman.com
Application Instructions: Please send your resume, cover letter, and writing sample to: Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala P.A. Human Resources at Recruiting@ArthurChapman.com Full job description available here.
Ballard Spahr
Corporate Partner: To Be Determined
Hiring Goals: To Be Determined
1L Clerkship Contact: naegelej@ballardspahr.com
Application Instructions: Applications will open for Ballard Spahr on December 1.
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Corporate Partner: To Be Determined
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2026 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
1L Clerkship Contact: Kim.Finney@btlaw.com
Application Instructions: Please include your cover letter (addressed to Bradley Frank), resume, writing sample and a copy of your full law school transcript (do not send partial grades) – an unofficial copy is fine (if transcripts are not available yet, please use a place holder in order to move forward with the online application process). Applications will open on December 1 and will be submitted via online portal. Full job posting available here.
Best and Flannagan
Corporate Partner: To Be Determined
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2026 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: recruitment@bestlaw.com
Application Instructions: To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and law school transcript to recruitment@bestlaw.com. Applications will be reviewed starting January 24. Full job posting available here.
Carlson Caspers Vandenburgh & Lindquist PA
Corporate Partner: Abbott
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2026 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: mlaschansky@carlsoncaspers.com
Application Instructions: Submit cover letter, resume, and college transcripts to mlaschansky@carlsoncaspers.com. Full job posting available here.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Corporate Partners: Prime Therapeutics, US Bank, UnitedHealth Group, Xcel Energy
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2026 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: otto.kirsten@dorsey.com
Application Instructions: Submit a resume, cover letter (see full job posting instructions), writing sample, undergraduate, and law school transcripts via the link in the full job posting. Full posting available here.
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Corporate Partners: Cargill, Intact Insurance Group, Target, and Xcel Energy
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2026 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: keara.bores@faegredrinker.com
Application Instructions: By January 17, please submit a cover letter (see full job posting instructions), resume, undergraduate transcript and brief writing sample (8-10 pages) via the link in the full job posting. Full posting available here.
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Corporate Partner: General Mills
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2026 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: sborgendale@fredlaw.com
Application Instructions: Please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and unofficial undergraduate transcript via the link in the full job posting. Full posting available here.
Greenberg Traurig LLP
Corporate Partners: U.S. Bank
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2026 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
1L Clerkship Contact: gerhardsonj@gtlaw.com
Application Instructions: Please submit a complete application which includes a cover letter, resume, unofficial 1L transcript (or grade report), and a brief writing sample in PDF format to gerhardsonj@gtlaw.com. Full job posting available here.
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: Please email a cover letter, resume, undergraduate transcript, law school transcript (when available), and a writing sample to cokerson@greeneespel.com. Full posting for Cargill; Full posting for Medtronic.
Gustafson Gluek
Corporate Partner: Not applicable, plaintiff’s firm.
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2026 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
1L Clerkship Contact: tgrill@gustafsongluek.com
Application Instructions: Please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample and references to tgrill@gustafsongluek.com. Full job posting available here.
Jones Day
Corporate Partner: Ameriprise Financial
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2026 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: cbrasser@jonesday.com
Application Instructions: Submit cover letter, resume, writing sample, undergraduate, and law school transcripts via the online portal. Full posting available here.
Kennedy & Graven
Corporate Partner: Minnesota municipalities
Hiring Goals: Providing great legal experience for 1L Clerks.
1L Clerkship Contact: sschmale@kennedy-graven.com
Application Instructions: Please submit a resume, cover letter, unofficial transcript, and two writing samples to Shantel M. Schmale, Human Resources Manager, at sschmale@kennedy-graven.com. Full posting available here.
Larkin Hoffman
Corporate Partner: Mall of America
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2026 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
1L Clerkship Contact: hrmail@larkinhoffman.com
Application Instructions: Submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to hrmail@larkinhoffman.com. Full posting available here.
Larson King LLP
Corporate Partner: 3M
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2026 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
1L Clerkship Contact: cboisen@larsonking.com
Application Instructions: Please submit a resume, cover letter, transcript, and writing sample to HR@larsonking.com. Please include “TCDIP” and your name in the subject line. Full posting available here.
Lathrop GPM LLP
Corporate Partner: CHS
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2026 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
1L Clerkship Contact: Jaclyn.Steiner@lathropgpm.com
Application Instructions: Please upload a cover letter, resume, writing sample, undergraduate transcript, and unofficial law school transcript (as soon as available) via the online portal. If you need to supplement your application with your law school transcript at a later time, please email it to recruiting@lathropgpm.com. Full posting available here.
Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2026 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
Partner Organization: Metropolitan Council
1L Clerkship Contact: segirard@locklaw.com
Application Instructions: Please submit a cover letter, unofficial transcript, and writing sample to segirard@locklaw.com. Full posting available here.
Maslon LLP
Corporate Partner: Mortenson, Life Time
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2026 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: angie.roell@maslon.com
Application Instructions: Please submit a cover letter, resume, undergraduate transcript and law school transcript (when available), and a writing sample at the link in the full posting. Full posting available here.
Meagher & Geer
Corporate Partner: Allianz
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2026 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
1L Clerkship Contact: dweiss@meagher.com
Application Instructions: Please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and transcript to recruitment@meagher.com. The deadline to apply is January 3, 2025. Full posting available here.
Merchant and Gould
Corporate Partner: Ecolab
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2026 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: ratencio@merchantgould.com
Application Instructions: Please provide a cover letter, resume, undergrad/law school transcripts, and a writing sample at the link in the full job posting to submit all application materials. Full posting available here.
Nelson Mullins
Corporate Partner: Pentair and Medtronic
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2026 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: ashley.taylorlampkin@nelsonmullins.com
Application Instructions: Applicants are asked to email NM.Recruiting@nelsonmullins.com with TCDIP 1L Application-NMRS as the subject line with a resume, cover letter, and updated law school transcript if available. Full posting available here.
Nichols Kaster
As a plaintiff’s firm, Nichols Kaster does not have a partnering organization.
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2026 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: tmorin@nka.com
Application Instructions: Please apply on-line at https://www.nka.com/careers/ and submit your resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Full posting available here.
Saul Ewing
Corporate Partner: Pearson
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2026 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: romaisa.sulemany@saul.com
Application Instructions: Apply directly to Saul Ewing online or by email addressed to Romaisa Sulemany, Recruiting Coordinator at romaisa.sulemany@saul.com. Applications must include a current resume, undergraduate final transcript, law school transcript when available and writing sample. Full posting available here.
Stinson LLP
Corporate Partner: US Bank
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2026 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: recruiting@stinson.com
Application Instructions: Please submit the following via the online portal here:
- A response (under 500 words) to the following prompt:Using specific examples, please explain how your personal, academic, and/or
professional background and experiences will allow you to offer a diverse perspective to
our team and the clients we serve. - Current resume
- Cover letter
- Undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) transcripts (unofficial versions are acceptable)
- Law school transcript (unofficial versions are acceptable). If an applicant’s law school transcript
is unavailable at the time of application, the applicant may instead provide the anticipated date
for receipt of grades and supplement with the transcript once available. Please send
supplemental law school transcript to recruiting@stinson.com. - Legal writing sample
Application deadline: January 10th, 2025. Full posting available here.
Stoel Rives
Corporate Partner: UnitedHealth Group
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2026 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
1L Clerkship Contact: attorneyrecruiting@stoel.com
Application Instructions: Applications will be accepted through our website from November 18, 2024-January 24, 2025.Please visit www.stoel.com/careers to apply. Required materials include a current resume, cover letter, transcript (when available), and a legal writing sample that has not been substantially edited by others (5-10 pages, double spaced). Full posting available here.
Taft Stettinius & Hollister
Corporate Partner: Xcel Energy
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates to fill their 2026 2L Summer Associate class.
1L Clerkship Contact: msauceman@taftlaw.com
Application Instructions: Apply online here and submit:
- Completed application form.
- Cover letter.
- Resume.
- Law school transcript — the transcript does not need to be official, but does need to be complete.
- A typed essay — no more than one page, double spaced and not to exceed 500 words that describes any special circumstance or incident in your life that created adversity or an obstacle for you that you needed to overcome and what you did to overcome it.
Full posting available here.
Winthrop & Weinstine
Corporate Partners: Sherman Associates
Hiring Goals: To be determined.
1L Clerkship Contact: SLocsin@winthrop.com
Application Instructions: Coming soon.
Zelle LLP
Corporate Partner: Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions, Travelers Insurance
Hiring Goals: Evaluating candidates for potential future employment, but without specific knowledge of 2026 2L Summer Associate hiring needs.
1L Clerkship Contact: lbartlow@zellelaw.com
Application Instructions: Please submit a cover letter, resume, undergraduate transcript, and writing sample to hr@zellelaw.com. A law school transcript should be submitted as soon as it becomes available. Full posting available here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the TCDIP 1L Clerkship?
Open
TCDIP encourages law students from across the country to apply, especially 1L students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds. Anyone can apply for the positions and there is no prohibition based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and other characteristics.
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 will be paired with an Attorney Mentor from a Member Organization different from their primary employer so that each Clerk can learn more about 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 Employers
Open
Important Deadlines for Employers:
September 19, 2023: Program registration opens for employers. October 27, 2023: Registration closes for employers
1. Review the TCDIP 1L Clerkship 2024 Employer Guide document which includes an Employer Best Practices Guide.
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 18, 2024: 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 24, 2025: First deadline for TCDIP 1L Clerkship Applications.
Spring 2025: Clerks are notified of placements.
See our FAQ for more information! Available Positions: Stay tuned.