Diversity Fellowships for 1L & 2L Law School Students

Our Culture

One of the qualities distinguishing Weil from our peers is our culture. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) have been core values since our founding. Frank Weil, Sylvan Gotshal, and Horace Manges established the Firm to open doors that were previously closed to them because of their religious beliefs. For decades, Weil has been an outspoken leader in empowering and engendering an inclusive culture. Today, the diversity of our attorneys, paralegals and staff is one of our greatest strengths. We created the Weil Diversity Fellowship Program to welcome the next generation of attorneys who are committed to adding to the diverse culture at Weil.

Diversity Leadership Summit

Weil’s Diversity Leadership Summit is aimed to provide first-year law students the opportunity to network alongside market leaders, experience Weil’s entrepreneurial and diverse culture firsthand, and the ability to interview onsite for the 2025 Summer Associate Program. This program is taking place on Thursday, February 6 and designed for those first-year law students interested in practicing in Weil’s New York office.

Application Requirements

The Weil Diversity Leadership Summit is open to all first-year law students who are enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school and intend to practice law in Weil’s New York office.

Additionally, those interested must have submitted an application for the 1L Diversity Fellowship position.

To express interest in the Diversity Leadership Summit, please complete the short survey.

Applications open for Weil’s Diversity Leadership Summit on Monday, December 2nd. Those who are selected to participate will be notified by Monday, January 27th.

About the Diversity Fellowship

The Weil Diversity Fellowship is open to all students who are enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school and intend to practice law in a city in which Weil has a U.S. office. Eligible students may not be the recipient of a similar scholarship award from another law firm.

1L Diversity Fellowships

Weil offers a 1L Diversity Fellowship in the amount of up to $50,000 for students with an expected graduation date of spring 2027. Weil 1L Diversity Fellows will be awarded an initial $10,000 scholarship, contingent upon accepting an offer of summer employment at Weil to be paid upon starting as a Summer Associate. Subsequent payments are awarded upon returning as a 2L Summer Associate and again as a full-time associate following graduation. 

2L Diversity Fellowships

Weil offers a $50,000 2L Diversity Fellowship for students with an expected graduation date of spring 2027. Weil 2L Diversity Fellows will be awarded an initial $25,000 scholarship, contingent upon accepting an offer of summer employment at Weil to be paid upon starting as a Summer Associate. Weil 2L Diversity Fellows will receive the balance of the $25,000 scholarship upon starting as a full-time associate following graduation.

Application

The application process is open to all law school students who fulfill the fellowship’s eligibility requirements. An internal selection panel will evaluate all applications, considering factors such as overall commitment to diversity, work experience, and academic achievement. Fellowship applications are considered by the committee on a rolling-basis. It is not necessary to apply to the Summer Associate program separately; this completed application denotes consideration for the summer program/fellowship package.

To be considered for a Weil Diversity Fellowship, please submit an application via careers.weil.com/How_to_Apply. Your completed online application package must include the following items:

• Résumé
• Unofficial or Official Law School Transcript
• Please include the grades you have at the time of your submission; you may update your online application by following the link you will receive in a confirmation email upon submission
• Personal Statement (no more than two (2) pages, double spaced)

Personal Statement

In your personal statement, please discuss any unique life experiences and how they have shaped you as a person and an aspiring lawyer. We invite you to interpret this topic broadly. Topics that you might (but need not) address include (but are not limited to):

• How your life experiences have affected your values and perspectives;
• Obstacles or challenges that you have overcome; and/or
• Academic or leadership achievements

To Become a Weil Diversity Fellow, You Must:

• Be enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school;
• Intend to practice law in a city in which Weil has a U.S. office;
• Successfully complete the first year (1L Fellowship) or second year (2L Fellowship) of a full-time JD program by the start of the Summer Associate Program;
• Not be the recipient of a similar scholarship award from another law firm; and
• 1L Fellows: Have an expected graduation date of spring 2027
• 2L Fellows: Have an expected graduation date of spring 2027

If you have any questions regarding the Weil Diversity Fellowship Program, please contact recruit@weil.com.