Diversity & Inclusion Fellowship

We believe that our ability to perform at the very highest level of our profession is significantly enhanced by building and promoting diverse and inclusive teams in the broadest sense. Our Diversity & Inclusion Fellowship provides law students with an opportunity to work alongside some of the top lawyers in the world through our Summer Associate Program and gain hands-on experience, develop leadership skills, interact with Kirkland clients and make enduring connections with peers.

In addition to participating in the Kirkland Summer Associate Program, recipients receive professional development support and a $50,000 stipend*, less all required income and payroll taxes. This Fellowship is open to all first- and second-year law students that apply and will be awarded on a competitive basis, regardless of race, ethnicity, citizenship, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, national origin, medical condition, veteran status, disability status and any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. To be considered, the candidate must: (1) be enrolled and in good standing as a student (Juris Doctor) at an ABA-accredited law school and/or be a joint-degree student at an ABA-accredited law school; (2) have a demonstrated record of academic achievement; (3) submit a personal statement (as further described in the Summer Associate Program application); (4) receive an offer to join the Kirkland Summer Associate Program in one of our U.S. offices; (5) have a sincere interest and commitment to private practice; and (6) be likely to practice after graduation at one of Kirkland’s offices. As with all summer associates, there is no guarantee of full-time employment after graduation, but it is our sincere hope that all of our Fellows will ultimately practice at Kirkland & Ellis.

Candidates interested in the Diversity & Inclusion Fellowship must complete our application and check the box within the “Summer Associate Opportunities” section to indicate interest in this opportunity. In addition to the standard application materials, please submit a personal statement (no more than one page) addressing one of the following prompts:

1. Tell the selection committee about yourself.
2. Tell us what diversity, equity and inclusion means to you, and how your background, lived experience, or perspective will allow you to contribute to a diverse, equitable and inclusive Kirkland community.
3. Tell us how your background, lived experience, or perspective has shaped your character and your professional aims.
4. Tell us about an experience in which you demonstrated a commitment to promoting diversity, equity and/or inclusion within your community or otherwise.

All students are welcome and encouraged to apply. Any student that is offered a summer associate position is eligible for consideration for this opportunity. You can upload your personal statement as a document at any point during the application process. Kirkland also accepts the NALP Common Application diversity fellowship statement as satisfactory fulfillment of the personal statement requirement on our application.

Please reach out to Jason Triplett with any questions.

*In order to receive the Fellowship, a candidate must participate in the Summer Associate Program in one of Kirkland’s domestic offices. Splitting with another private employer is not permitted (inclusive of touchbacks with a previous employer)