DIVERSITY PIPELINE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

In 2007, Farella Braun + Martel LLP launched an innovative Diversity Pipeline Internship Program to provide high school students from diverse and/or disadvantaged backgrounds with a unique opportunity to learn about the legal profession, prepare for higher education and develop practical life skills.

The interns learn first-hand what it means to work in a law firm by assisting various administrative departments at the firm, and their work experience is supplemented by a curriculum and mentoring program developed by our Pipeline Program Subcommittee.  The curriculum is comprised of weekly seminars that focus on three areas:  (1) the practice of law, through attorney presentations on cases and practice areas, and exercises that teach interns case building, issue spotting and legal analysis; (2) the college application process, from academic requirements and personal statements to financial aid; and (3) resume and interview workshops.  Throughout the program, attorneys and staff members mentor the interns, and these relationships continue after the interns return to school in the fall, particularly during the college application process. 

Highlights of the program include:  a moot court program in which the interns, with assistance from each other and their attorney mentors, fully brief and argue a discrete legal issue; a College Panel in which attorneys, law school students and undergraduate students share their college experiences with the interns; and a College Night where community groups, private scholarship organizations and university representatives walk the interns and their parents through an overview of college requirements, financial aid, and scholarships. 

Five of our ten program interns have graduated from high school and are pursuing higher education at community colleges and four year universities.  Other interns have begun their senior year of high school and embarked upon the college application process. 

Through the Diversity Pipeline Internship Program, high school students develop practical skills and strategies to assist them in pursuing higher education as well as the confidence to consider, and think themselves capable of, going to law school and becoming a lawyer. 

"All the classes and presentations were very useful. I was able to learn about college and different types of laws. Everything was great."

"I learned how to write a good resume and personal statement."

"The program gave me precious opportunities to understand and be exposed to the law field. It's always exciting for me to hear the different cases and interesting stories."

"I overachieved my goals because I made a lot of friendships and I know that I have many people who can help me."

"Overall, the program is very successful in introducing us to law and making it fun to learn various topics."