Baker Donelson 2026 Diversity Scholarship: Applications Now Open for Rising 2L Law Students
- Omran Aburayya
- Apr 27
- 3 min read
If you're a rising 2L law student committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the legal profession, the Baker Donelson 2026 Diversity Scholarship offers a unique opportunity to advance your legal career. This prestigious program provides financial support and a salaried summer associate position, helping you gain invaluable experience in a large law firm setting.
🗒️ Scholarship Summary
Location: Various offices across the United States, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Host Institution: Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
Study Level: 2L (second-year) law students
Target Group: Diverse law students enrolled in ABA-accredited law schools
Fields of Study: Law
Coverage: Up to $20,000 in total
Duration: One-time scholarship with disbursements tied to specific milestones
Application Deadline: Midnight, Friday, June 13, 2025
Start Date: Summer 2026 for the clerkship; subsequent associate position contingent upon graduation
Eligible To: Students whose background or experience contributes to the diversity of the legal profession
🎓 Scholarship Overview
The Baker Donelson 2026 Diversity Scholarship is designed to support rising 2L law students who have completed their first year of a full-time JD program by June 2025. Recipients will receive a salaried 2L Summer Associate position lasting a minimum of six weeks during the summer of 2026. Additionally, each recipient will be awarded $20,000 to help defray the cost of law school tuition and related expenses. The scholarship is disbursed in two installments:
$10,000 after the completion of the 2L summer associate clerkship
$10,000 upon acceptance of an associate position and graduation from law school
The recipients' office preferences will be considered, but final assignment will depend on the firm's hiring needs. Recipients may split their summers with other law firms; however, they are required to work during the period that the other Summer Associates in that Baker Donelson office are working.
🎁 Scholarship Benefits
Financial Support: Up to $20,000 to assist with law school tuition and related expenses.
Professional Experience: A salaried 2L Summer Associate position providing exposure to various legal practice areas.
Networking Opportunities: Engagement with attorneys and professionals across multiple offices, fostering valuable connections.
Career Advancement: Potential for a full-time associate position upon graduation, contingent upon performance and hiring needs.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Be enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school and have completed their first year of a full-time JD program by June 2025.
Demonstrate a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in their communities and/or in the legal profession.
Exhibit academic and leadership achievements.
Have overcome obstacles or challenges (financial or otherwise) in advancing their career objectives.
Possess life experiences that have shaped their values and professional goals.
Express a desire to practice in a large law firm.
Not be a recipient of a similar scholarship award from another firm.
Students whose background or experience contributes to the diversity of the legal profession are encouraged to apply.
📝 Application Procedure
To apply, submit the following documents via the online application portal:
Current Resume: Include undergraduate and law school GPA and class rank (if available).
Personal Statement: Describe how you contribute or plan to contribute to diversity and inclusion within your community and the legal profession. Reflect on any obstacles or challenges faced in advancing your career objectives, as well as life experiences that have shaped your values and professional goals. Limit to 500 words.
Unofficial Law School Transcript: Must include 1L Fall and Spring semester grades.
Legal Writing Sample: The sample may be from your legal writing course in law school (limit to 10 pages).
Professional Recommendation: One written professional recommendation from a law school professor or employer. Recommendations should be addressed to Rebecca Simon, Director of Associate Recruiting and Engagement. The recommendation document name should be labeled LastName-FirstName. It may be uploaded to the application or emailed directly to (diversityrecommendation@bakerdonelson.com.)
The application process will open on Friday, April 25, 2025. All applications must be submitted via the online application portal. After registering, you will receive an email allowing you to begin the application process. Once you begin your application, you will have the option to save your entered information and return to the application portal at a later time to complete your application, if needed. Applications are due by midnight, Friday, June 13, 2025. Interviews for selected finalists will take place between July 9 and July 23. Scholarship recipients will be notified by July 28.
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