2022 Maine Diversity Summer Associate Program Now Accepting Applications

 As a part of their shared commitment to diversity and inclusion, Bernstein Shur, Brann & Isaacson, Jackson Laboratory, Pierce Atwood, Preti Flaherty, Verrill, and WEX are seeking 1L students for the 2022 Maine Diversity Summer Associate Program.

Now in its fourth year, this initiative focuses on building a diverse legal community in Maine by attracting a diverse pool of first-year law students (1Ls) from across the country for a 10-week paid summer internship in 2022 at one of the participating organizations, in Portland, Lewiston, or Bar Harbor.

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.

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.

Manuel Alejandro Sanchez-Wong, a second-year student at Boston College Law School and a 2021 D1L program participant, stated, “Being part of the Maine D1L program has had an incredible impact in my life, personally and professionally, and it has been, by far, one of the best things that has happened to me since I emigrated to the U.S. six years ago. Thanks to this program, I learned about practical legal issues that cannot be learned in a classroom. The attorneys shared their knowledge and made me feel like I was a valuable member of the firm. Thanks to them and the D1L program, I reaffirmed my passion for the legal profession.”

Ambrose S. Dawson, Sr. called his experience in the D1L program “transformative,” adding, “The mentoring I received improved my legal analysis skills and work product. My interaction with the Maine and New Hampshire legal communities reinforced my belief that I belong. I highly recommend this experience for people from underrepresented communities in the legal field.”

The open application process begins on November 15, 2021, and will continue on a rolling basis until December 31, 2021. 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 31-August 5, 2022.

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 occur the last week of January 2022, and offers will be extended in late January and the first week of February. Please click here for more information and application instructions.  

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

###