Norton Rose Fulbright remains deeply committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace—and to reaping the benefits that accrue from creating such a culture. The Diversity Fellowship Program is the latest example of Norton Rose Fulbright's continuing efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
The Norton Rose Fulbright Fellowship will provide up to a US$10,000 scholarship for tuition and related expenses. The Norton Rose Fulbright 1L Diversity Fellowship recipient will also receive a paid summer associate position. Applicants for the 1L Diversity Fellowship must submit their application between November 1, 2023 and January 31, 2024, while enrolled in their first year of law school. Norton Rose Fulbright will choose the fellowship recipient in the winter of 2024. The Fellow would work as a summer associate during summer 2024.
Law students encouraged to apply include highly motivated members of diverse populations that have been historically underrepresented in the legal profession, including, but not limited to, racial, ethnic, and gender minorities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, first-generation college and / or graduate students, disabled individuals, veterans and students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.
Candidates should be committed to promoting diversity and, ideally, will have demonstrated that commitment in their communities, schools and / or workplaces. We will also consider personal achievements, academic achievements and demonstrated leadership ability.
Details, eligibility, selection criteria and the application process for the program are as follows:
What is the Fellowship?
Norton Rose Fulbright's Diversity Fellowship provides up to US$10,000.00 (less applicable taxes and withholdings) in scholarship funds to assist with law school tuition and related expenses. The Fellow will receive a paid 1L summer associate position. In order to receive the full amount of the scholarship, eligible candidates must receive and accept an offer to return to Norton Rose Fulbright as a 2L summer associate in the summer of 2025. The award will be paid in two (2) installments: one (1) US$5,000.00 payment upon acceptance of Norton Rose Fulbright's offer to join as a 1L summer associate and one (1) US$5,000.000 payment upon accepting Norton Rose Fulbright's offer to join as a 2L summer associate. Should the student either not receive a 2L summer associate offer or decline the firm's 2L offer, the student will be ineligible to receive the second installment of US$5,000.00.
Eligibility
Eligible candidates must be enrolled and in good standing in a full-time JD program at a fully accredited ABA law school in the US, with an expected graduation date in spring 2026 by the time that they would enter Norton Rose Fulbright's 1L Summer Associate Program in summer 2024.
Interested applicants must be authorized to work in the US and have a strong interest in joining our firm as a full-time associate upon graduating from law school or the completion of a judicial clerkship. Students may not be the recipient of a diversity scholarship award from another law firm during the award year. Furthermore, candidates must be able to participate in the entirety of Norton Rose Fulbright's 2024 Summer Associate Program.
All offers of employment are contingent upon the ability to provide documentation proving authorization to work in the United States, and the successful completion and satisfactory results of a conflicts check and background search.
The application process is open to all first-year law students (class of 2026) enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school, regardless of race, color, religion, citizenship, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military service, disability or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable law.
Mentoring
The Fellow will be assigned a Fellowship Mentor. The Fellowship Mentor will be assigned as soon as the Fellowship has been awarded and will continue throughout the year. The Fellowship Mentor will serve as a liaison between the student and the firm and will help guide the Fellow's professional growth before, during, and after participation in the firm's summer program.
Application process and requirements
Norton Rose Fulbright will accept applications from candidates between November 1, 2023 and January 31, 2024. All applications will be reviewed by members of the firm's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Hiring Committees. Finalists will also be interviewed after applications are submitted.
Please note that if you apply to the Norton Rose Fulbright Diversity Fellowship but are not chosen to interview for the Fellowship, you are still eligible for consideration for Norton Rose Fulbright's 2024 Summer Associate Program. Apply HERE
A complete application must include:
- Submission of a complete and accurate application form on ViRecruit
- Current resume
- Unofficial or official law school transcript
- A personal statement, not to exceed 500 words, that describes your talents, experiences, how diversity and inclusion in the academic or other environment has had a personal impact, and how you would contribute to or advance diversity and inclusion at Norton Rose Fulbright
- Please consider completing the voluntary self-identification questions on ViRecruit.
While we do require you to submit a law school transcript as part of your application, we understand some law schools may not release grades by our submission deadline. If this is the case, please include the grades you have received at the time of your submission. You may supplement your application with a final transcript by emailing it to: uslegalrecruiting@nortonrosefulbright.com
Selection criteria
The Fellow must meet the academic and hiring criteria of Norton Rose Fulbright's Summer Associate Program. Other factors that will be considered include:
- Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion
- Academic and personal achievement
- Demonstrated leadership ability
- Work experience
- Interest in Norton Rose Fulbright
Completed applications should be submitted via the 1L Summer Associate ViRecruit application by 11:59 pm ET on January 31, 2024. Please note that only completed and timely applications are guaranteed consideration. Applications submitted after the final deadline and / or missing any of the required materials will be reviewed at the firm's discretion.