LAW STUDENTS
FOR LAW STUDENTS
TCDIP 1L CLERKSHIP
MENTORSHIP
MINNESOTA MINORITY RECRUITMENT CONFERENCE
AFFINITY ORGANIZATIONS FOR STUDENTS
MAKING MINNESOTA HOME

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.

TCDIP 1L Clerkship Positions

All positions for Summer 2024 have been filled. Thank you for interest in our TCDIP 1L Clerkship Program.

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 15, 2023: 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 15, 2024: First deadline for TCDIP 1L Clerkship Applications.
Spring 2024: Clerks are notified of placements.
See our FAQ for more information! Available Positions: Stay tuned.