2025 Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship

Baker Donelson is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where the individual differences among us are understood, respected, appreciated, and recognized as sources of strength of the Firm. These qualities enrich the environment in which we work.   Since 2008, we are proud to have awarded 34 diversity scholarships.

With this in mind, we are delighted to announce that the 2025 Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship application is now available!  We will award three scholarships to three rising 2L law students who will complete their first year of law school by June 2024. Recipients will be awarded a minimum six-week, salaried 2L Summer Associate position for the summer of 2025 in one of our Firm’s offices. Additionally, each recipient will be awarded $20,000, to help defray the cost of law school tuition and related expenses, which will be paid in two disbursements, conditioned on the following:

·       $10,000 will be awarded after the completion of a 2L summer associate clerkship, and

·       $10,000 will be awarded upon acceptance of an associate position and graduation from law school.

Eligibility.

The application process is open to all law students of any 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, enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school.

We consider all applications and consider the following factors in applicants:

1. Have completed their first year of a full-time JD program with an anticipated graduation date of 2026 at the time of application.
2. Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in their communities and/or in the legal profession.
3. Academic and leadership achievements.

1. Obstacles or challenges (financial or otherwise) encountered in advancing career objectives.
2. Life experiences that have shaped values (including a commitment to DEI) and professional goals.
3. A desire to practice in a large law firm.
4. Candidates may not be the recipient of a similar scholarship award from another law firm.

Students of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, persons with a disability, or whose background or experience would otherwise contribute to the diversity of the legal profession are encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline and Requirements. Applications are due by midnight, Friday, June 14, 2024. Interested students must include the documents below with their application. Students will have the availability to save their application and upload these at a later time. Students may start the application process using this link.

1. Current Resume including undergraduate and law school GPA and class rank (if available)
2. Personal Statement. This scholarship helps us attract the best and brightest to Baker Donelson and supports our evolving diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.  How do you envision contributing to Baker Donelson substantively and culturally if you were to join our firm? Please limit to 500 words.
3. Unofficial Law School Transcript must include 1L Fall and Spring semester grades. 
4. Legal Writing Sample. The sample may be from your legal writing course in law school (please limit to 10 pages).
5. Professional Recommendation. One written professional recommendation from a law school professor or employer. Recommendations should be addressed to Rebecca Simon, Director of Associate Recruiting and Engagement. The recommendation document name should be labeled LastName-FirstName. It may be uploaded to the application or emailed directly to diversityrecommendation@bakerdonelson.com.