This week, Taft Law welcomed summer associates, 10 of whom are diversity and inclusion fellows, to its annual summer program. Program participants will join Taft in the following office locations: Chicago, Ill.; Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton, Ohio; Indianapolis, Ind.; and Minneapolis, Minn.

Taft summer associates and diversity and inclusion fellows will be immersed in hands-on legal experience through a variety of actual client matters. This includes participating in depositions, hearings, closings, and trials as well as performing critical legal research. Although COVID-19 impacted or eliminated summer associate programs across the country, Taft opted for a six-week program to demonstrate the firm’s value and commitment to developing the next generation of legal leaders.

“Our summer associates and diversity and inclusion fellows are an integral part of Taft,” explains Taft Chief Recruiting Officer Lisa Watson. “People are our firm’s biggest assets, and our program allows us to provide participants with a highly engaging experience at one of the most well-respected firms in the Midwest.”

As a key component of Taft’s summer associate program, the Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship Program invites members of historically underrepresented ethnic and/or racial minority groups to gain first-hand experience in practicing law through mentorship and key projects in each office. First-year diversity and inclusion fellows who choose to return to Taft as second-year summer associates receive a one-time $5,000 award upon acceptance of the offer to return.

“Taft’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is directly reflected in our fellowship program,” states Chief Diversity Officer Adrian Thompson. “The program demonstrates Taft’s investment in finding strong talent with diverse perspectives, which ultimately benefits our clients and provides rewarding careers for the participating fellows. This starts with developing strong legal skills and building relationships with talented future lawyers, who we hope will join us for full-time employment in the future.”

Taft opens its second-year law student application process following the conclusion of the summer program and on December 1, 2020 for first-year law students. Learn more about Taft’s summer associate program here. Learn more about the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship and how to apply here.