In 2007, Farella Braun + Martel launched an innovative Diversity Pipeline Internship Program to provide rising high school seniors 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.
Pipeline interns take part in a well-developed and carefully balanced schedule. They gain rare insight and valuable work experience by assisting various administrative departments within our firm. Their work responsibilities are supplemented by a curriculum and mentoring program. The curriculum is comprised of weekly seminars that focus on three important areas: (1) the practice of law, taught through a combination of attorney presentations on cases and practice areas, and exercises created to teach interns case building, issue spotting and legal analysis; (2) the college application process, guidance ranging 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 mock trial program in which the interns, with assistance from attorney coaches, work together to fully brief and argue a discrete legal issue;
- A negotiation clinical program;
- A College Panel in which attorneys, law school students, and undergraduate students share their college experiences with the interns; and
- Field trip to the local courthouse, with a behind-the-scenes visit with a judge and staff attorneys; and
- Field trip to a corporate client.
We take pride in the results of our program.
The deadline for submitting applications is May 5, 2023.
2023 Pipeline Internship Application
Please contact Kayla Nieskes with any questions.
Comments from past interns
“Overall, the Diversity Pipeline Internship here at FB+M was beyond amazing. From going to Google, to the 9th District Courthouse, to other law firms, every moment was interesting. This is one of the internships that I look forward waking up early in the morning to. Meeting the attorneys here at FB+M was really the highlight of the program. I loved how my opinion actually mattered and that the people here care about me. This program is truly a blessing and a wonderful opportunity for youth to get a head start in the legal field. I would definitely recommend this program to others, whether they have any interest to law or not, I'm sure they would enjoy this program.”
"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 over-achieved my goals because I made a lot of friendships and I know that I have many people who can help me.”
"I loved mock trial. I learned more than I could have hoped to learn."
"I gained different skills such as multi-tasking, organizing, filing and communicating with other people."
“Overall, the program is very successful in introducing us to law and making it fun to learn various topics.”