[ Selendy Gay Elsberg Diversity Fellowship ]

As a firm, we took a comprehensive look at diversity efforts in our industry as well as our own infrastructure, recruiting, and training efforts. We considered, among many factors, the host of challenges faced by groups who have historically been underrepresented in the legal profession. We examined our own implicit biases and thought critically about how we can be an anti-racist institution.

Out of that examination, we've developed an innovative new program—the Selendy Gay Elsberg Diversity Fellowship—that focuses on attracting, retaining and nurturing outstanding racially diverse candidates and first-generation college students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

About the Fellowship

The Selendy Gay Elsberg Diversity Fellowship provides long-term, individually-tailored training, mentoring and post-recruitment support to diverse talent in order to help recipients achieve their long-term potential. Through the Fellowship, candidates will have access to long-term professional and personal support, while giving them the agency to opt in and out based on their specific needs and goals.

This support is bespoke and includes (but is not limited to):

• Access to critical resources, such as dedicated time with senior partners
• Ongoing writing support from a professional coach
• One-on-one business networking coaching
• Training on how to effectively “manage up” and cultivate personal leadership skills
• Access to a suite of outside coaches, from which Fellows will personally select who they wish to work with

Fellows will also receive a $50,000 payment made in tranches.

Eligibility

The Fellowship will be open to rising 2Ls who are racially diverse or who are first-generation college students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Fellowship applications will be considered in tandem with the offer process for our summer associate program. Only candidates who separately apply for and receive an offer of employment with Selendy Gay Elsberg are eligible to be considered for a Fellowship.

Timing

The application period for the 2023 summer program has closed. Please check back in summer 2023 for application dates for the 2024 summer program.

Applying

In addition to an employment application, Fellowship applicants are asked to write about a time when they overcame adversity. The essay should describe how the experience impacted their sense of resilience. Responses should be limited to 1,000 words, double-spaced. Applicants must also submit a formal employment application in addition to their Fellowship application.