Pipeline Programs

Diversity Scholars Program

NO LONGER ACCEPTING 2023 APPLICATIONS

“One the best experiences I had as a participant in Blank Rome’s 2021 Diversity Scholars Program was learning more about trial work and seeing how quickly things change in litigation firsthand.”
- Asia Livingstone, 2021 and 2022 Blank Rome Diversity Scholar

In 2006, as part of the firm’s steadfast commitment to the advancement of diverse professionals within the legal community at large, we established the Blank Rome Diversity Scholars Program ("Blank Rome Scholars" or "BR Scholars" Program). Our goal is to identify and attract high-performing summer associate candidates from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about and invested in promoting and fostering diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and in the community, to ultimately join our firm upon completion of law school.

What sets us apart?

  • A welcome retreat to meet Scholars across offices
  • Client engagement opportunities
  • Coaching and mentoring
  • DEI and pro bono projects
  • Exclusive programming

Blank Rome has two diversity scholarship programs: Our 1L Blank Rome Scholars Program and our 2L Blank Rome Scholars Program.

Diversity scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, community service, work experience, and commitment to the practice of law. Each Blank Rome Scholar is awarded a full-salaried position in the firm’s Summer Associate Program and a $25,000 scholarship, which will be paid in two installments: 1) $12,500 for the Scholar’s second-year tuition and expenses, provided the student receives and accepts an offer to join the Summer Program on a full-time basis for the summer following the 2L year; and 2) another $12,500 toward the Scholar’s third-year tuition and expenses, provided the student receives and accepts an offer to return to Blank Rome as a full-time Associate after graduation. 

Our Blank Rome Scholars will also have the opportunity, through specialized mentoring, coaching, and training, to help shape Blank Rome's long-term diversity and inclusion and efforts. During the Summer Associate Program, each Scholar will be teamed up with a Blank Rome partner and an associate, who serve as mentors for the duration of the program and beyond.Selection Criteria

Any 1L students (and 2L evening students) who meet the following requirements may apply to the BR Scholars Program in the Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, or Washington, D.C., office:

  • Belong to one or more historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, self-identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and/or have demonstrated a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion in their communities.
  • Possess excellent academic and personal achievements.
  • Express commitment and passion in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal industry.

Application Requirements

You will need to provide the following documents in your application (please submit all documents as PDFs):

  • Current resume
  • Copy of your complete undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) school transcripts
  • Copy of your law school transcript
  • Two-page essay, answering the following: Please share with us how your personal experience and skills can best position you to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession, the community, and at Blank Rome.

 

Philadelphia Diversity Law Group Program

We belong to the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group (the “PDLG”), which is committed to increasing the number of attorneys of diverse backgrounds working at law firms and corporate law departments in the Greater Philadelphia region to make the legal profession stronger, more productive, and better equipped to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. We actively participate in PLDG programs and initiatives, including its Fellows Program, the goal of which is to increase the number of lawyers of diverse backgrounds working at Philadelphia-area law firms and corporate law departments. As a participating law firm, we commit to hire as a summer associate a first-year law student who has been identified by PDLG as someone who has overcome significant obstacles in pursuing a legal career, comes from a disadvantaged background or from a background that is underrepresented in the Philadelphia legal community, and who has demonstrated the ability to succeed in a Big Law summer program.

 

Houston Bar Association Community in Schools Program

The Houston Bar Association partners with Communities in Schools Houston on the Summer Legal Internship Program, providing high school students with internships and employment opportunities at Houston-area law firms, corporate legal departments, and public legal institutions. Blank Rome’s Houston office is proud to serve as one of the hiring employers. Communities in Schools is a national organization that ensures every student, regardless of race, gender, ability, zip code, or socioeconomic background has what they need to realize their full potential in school and beyond.