The WCBA Diversity Committee’s Summer Intern Program is committed to providing local youth from diverse backgrounds with the opportunity to gain invaluable experience in the legal profession. Over the last 16 years, the program has reached over 60 local students from diverse social, cultural, racial, and ethnic groups statistically under-represented in the legal profession.

The program aims to raise the academic and professional aspirations of students in historically under-represented groups by providing this unique opportunity to experience all aspects of the legal field. The students are referred to the program by local high schools and community organizations. The students possess the skills, demeanor, and professionalism necessary for interacting and learning in a law firm professional environment.

Local law firm participation has been an integral part of the success of this program. We hope your law firm will be part of a growing number of firms that have participated over the years. (See box at right).

Selected students are matched with participating law firms and the law firms have the opportunity to interview and approve students. The students perform mainly clerical tasks. Students are paid and maintain a part-time position of approximately 20-25 hours a week, for a minimum of six weeks, at a suggested wage of $16.50 per hour (minimum wage as of January 1, 2025), for a total commitment of approximately $1,980.

Participating firms are expected to provide student interns with at least four in-person and/or virtual opportunities to observe the practice of law by giving students the opportunity to attend events such as closings, depositions and court appearances. The Diversity Committee will also arrange and coordinate additional opportunities throughout the summer under proper safety protocols.

We look forward to your participation in the 2025 Summer Intern Program. Together we will continue to raise the bar for enthusiastic high school students. Please contact Angela DiBiasi, Esq. at adlawesq@gmail.com to participate.