KENNETH G. STANDARD DIVERSITY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Overview of the Diversity Internship Committee
Responsible for administering and managing all aspects of the Section’s Diversity Internship Program, named in honor of former NYSBA President Kenneth G. Standard and his commitment to initiatives aimed at increasing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
Overview of the Diversity Internship Program
Since its inception in 2006, more than 100 interns have participated in the Program. The students complete a 10-week internship with an assigned host company and are paid a minimum of $7,000. Host companies have included, among many others in the private and public sectors, Ayco, Con Edison, Pepsi Co., Salesforce, TakeRoot Justice, Unilever, and Urban Justice and Visiting Nurse Service of New York.
The Program’s Goal
To provide students from a diverse range of backgrounds with the experience of in-house legal practice, and to increase such student representation in future corporate legal departments. We offer mentorship, educational and career training to enhance the skills needed in the workplaces of tomorrow. To promote and advance the full and equal participation of attorneys from an under-represented community and to promote knowledge of and respect for the profession in communities that historically have not participated to the fullest extent in the practice of law.
Benefits of Workplace Diversity
Diverse employees can bring together different skill sets, talents, and experiences.
Embracing diversity and inclusion is an important step in the workplace. Through increased diversity, employers can more effectively address societal and member needs with the varied perspectives, experiences, knowledge, information and understanding inherent in a diverse relationship.
Eligibility & Deadlines
Law students who self-identify as under-represented candidates, and who attend an accredited law school in New York State. The program has demanding selection criteria, including minimum GPA requirements and a series of interview rounds, each set by the host company. Students must submit a legal writing sample and a letter of interest. The letter of interest must describe their personal commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal field, and/or explain how being from an under-represented group has impacted them.
The application deadline, interviews, offer, and program start date vary per each host company. Generally, student application deadlines are due between December and January.
Benefits of Applying to a Summer Position Through the Program
The benefits include (i) exploring different career paths; (ii) developing a network within the corporate environment and among fellow program participants; (iii) receiving cutting-edge, real world experience solving and supporting day-to-day corporate matters; and (iv) gaining a rare and valuable opportunity to jump start their careers in the law by spending their summer in a corporate legal department/non-for-profit agency.
We invite anyone who is interested in learning more about the program to contact the Committee at: KGSDiversityInternshipProgram@gmail.com
Photos of the July 28, 2022 Reception
Photos of the July 17, 2019 Reception
Photos of the August 16, 2017 Reception
Photos of the August 16, 2016 Reception
Photos of the August 5, 2015 Reception
Photos of the July 23, 2014 Reception
2014 Kenneth G. Standard Internship Program
2013 Kenneth G. Standard Internship Program
ADDITIONAL INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE
2025 Jana Springer Behe Corporate Counsel Section Scholarship
Applications Due: February 7, 2025
