Now in its sixth year, the Maine Diversity Summer Associate Program is seeking first-year (1L) law students for its 2025 summer class.

Stemming from a shared commitment to supporting and expanding diversity and inclusion opportunities in the legal profession, D1L founders and current participants include Bernstein Shur, Brann & Isaacson, Drummond & Woodsum, IDEXX,  L.L. Bean, Martin's Point, Pierce Atwood, Preti Flaherty, Unum, Verrill, and WEX.

A workforce comprising professionals with different backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and talents is not only essential to growth and stability, but also critical to providing outstanding client service and a better work environment for attorneys and staff.  The D1L initiative focuses on building a diverse legal community in Maine by attracting a diverse pool of first-year law students from across the country for a 10-week paid summer internship at one of the participating organization’s Maine locations.

The first-year law 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 participating organizations and the larger legal community. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to build a stronger, more diverse community of legal professionals in Maine.

Sydney Smith, a student at USC Gould School of Law and a 2022 D1L program participant stated, “The Maine D1L program was the best possible way that I could have spent my first summer of law school. The practical, hands-on experience that I gained during just 10 weeks prepared me so well for my future career, supplementing my legal education in ways that my first year of doctrinal classes could not. The program—and my firm in particular—is full of knowledgeable, helpful, welcoming, and overall fantastic people!”

The open application process begins on November 17, 2024, and will continue on a rolling basis until January 8, 2025. 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 27-August 1, 2025.

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.

Interviews will be conducted on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 and offers will be extended in late February. Please click here for more information and application instructions.  

All program participants are equal opportunity employers, and all qualified applicants will be considered.