Norton Rose Fulbright 2L Diversity Fellowship Program

Applications Open June 1, 2022 and close September 1, 2022. Apply HERE

Norton Rose Fulbright remains deeply committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace – and to reaping the benefits that accrue from creating such a culture. The Diversity Fellowship Program is the latest example of Norton Rose Fulbright's continuing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.

The Norton Rose Fulbright 2L Diversity Fellowship will provide a $10,000 scholarship for tuition and related expenses. Fellowship recipients will also receive a paid summer associate position in our Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Antonio, St. Louis, or Washington, DC office.

Applicants for the 2L Diversity Fellowship must submit their application between June 1, 2022 and September 1, 2022, while enrolled in their second year of law school. Norton Rose Fulbright will choose the fellowship recipient(s) in fall 2022. The Fellow would work as a summer associate during summer 2023, and upon receipt of an offer, would agree to join Norton Rose Fulbright as a full-time associate upon graduating from law school or completion of a judicial clerkship.

Law students encouraged to apply include highly motivated members of diverse populations that have been historically underrepresented in the legal profession, including but not limited to racial, ethnic, and gender minorities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, first-generation college and/or graduate students, disabled individuals, veterans and students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.

Candidates should be committed to promoting diversity and, ideally, will have demonstrated that commitment in their communities, schools or workplaces. They also will be evaluated on personal achievements, academic achievements and proven leadership ability.

Details, eligibility, selection criteria and the application process for the program are as follows:

What is the Fellowship?

Norton Rose Fulbright's Diversity Fellowship provides up to US$10,000.00 (less applicable taxes and withholdings) in scholarship funds to assist with law school tuition and related expenses. The Fellows will receive a paid 2L summer associate position. This Fellowship is awarded to up to three highly motivated second-year law student(s). In order to receive the full amount of the scholarship, eligible candidates must receive and accept an offer to return to Norton Rose Fulbright as a full-time associate following law school graduation or the completion of a judicial clerkship. The award will be paid in two installments: one (1) US$5,000.00 payment upon acceptance of Norton Rose Fulbright's offer to join as a 2L summer associate and one US$5,000.00 payment upon accepting full-time employment with Norton Rose Fulbright following law school graduation or the completion of a judicial clerkship. Should the student either not receive a full-time offer or decline the firm's full-time offer, the student will be ineligible to receive the second installment of US$5,000.00.

Eligibility

Eligible candidates must be enrolled and in good standing, in their second year of a full-time JD program at a fully accredited ABA law school in the US, with an expected graduation date in spring 2024.

Interested applicants must be authorized to work in the US and have a strong interest in joining our firm as a full-time associate upon graduating from law school or the completion of a judicial clerkship. Students may not be the recipient of a diversity scholarship award from another law firm during the award year. Candidates must be able to participate in the entirety of Norton Rose Fulbright's 2023 Summer Program.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the ability to provide documentation proving authorization to work in the US, and the successful completion and satisfactory results of a conflicts check and background search.

The application process is open to all second-year law students (class of 2024) enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school, regardless of race, color, religion, citizenship, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military service, disability or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable law.

Mentoring

The Fellow will be assigned a Fellowship Mentor. The Fellowship Mentor will be assigned as soon as the Fellowship has been awarded and will continue throughout the year. The Fellowship Mentor will serve as a liaison between the student and the firm and will help guide the Fellow's professional growth before, during, and after participation in the firm's summer program.

Application process and requirements

Norton Rose Fulbright will accept applications from candidates between June 1, 2022 and September 1, 2022. All applications will be reviewed by Norton Rose Fulbright's Diversity Fellowship Selection Committee, which will be composed of members of the firm's Diversity and Inclusion and Hiring Committees. Finalists will also be interviewed after applications are submitted.

Please note that if you apply to the Norton Rose Fulbright Diversity Fellowship but are not chosen to interview for the Fellowship, you are still eligible for consideration for Norton Rose Fulbright's 2023 Summer Associate Program. Apply HERE

A complete application must include:

Submission of a complete and accurate application form and personal statement on ViRecruit
Current resume
Unofficial or official law school transcript
A personal statement, not to exceed 500 words, that describes your talents, experiences, how diversity and inclusion in the academic or other environment has had a personal impact, and how you would contribute to or advance diversity and inclusion at Norton Rose Fulbright
Please consider completing the voluntary self-identification questions on ViRecruit.

While we do require you to submit a law school transcript as part of your application, we understand some law schools may not release grades by our submission deadline. If this is the case, please include the grades you have received at the time of your submission. You may supplement your application with a final transcript by emailing it to: USL2DiversityFellowship@nortonrosefulbright.com.

Selection criteria

The Fellow must meet the academic and hiring criteria of Norton Rose Fulbright's Summer Associate Program. Other factors the Selection Committee will consider include:

Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion
Academic and personal achievement
Demonstrated leadership ability
Work experience
Interest in Norton Rose Fulbright

Completed applications should be submitted via the 2L Summer Associate ViRecruit application by 11:59 pm ET on September 1, 2022. Please note that only completed and timely applications are guaranteed consideration. Applications submitted after the final deadline and/or missing any of the required materials will be reviewed at the firm's discretion.

Interviewing

Candidates may be contacted for a screening interview. Candidates will participate in the standard interview process, where members of the local Hiring Committee and Diversity and Inclusion Committee (where applicable), will be invited to interview the candidates. It is expected that we will conduct virtual interviews. Applicants will be contacted for interviews on a rolling basis.

Please contact USL2DiversityFellowship@nortonrosefulbright.com with any questions regarding the Fellowship.