Apply Now: Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship 2025 For Law Students ($20,000 Award And Paid Internship) -

About the Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship

Applications are now open for the Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship 2025, an exceptional opportunity for law students committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the legal profession. The scholarship not only provides substantial financial support but also offers a guaranteed paid Summer Associate position in 2026 at one of Baker Donelson’s offices across the United States.

Through this initiative, Baker Donelson continues its long-standing commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment within the legal community. The firm seeks to invest in future legal professionals whose backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives will enrich the practice of law and contribute to a more equitable society.

The Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship is specifically designed to support rising second-year law students (2Ls) who have demonstrated a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion in their communities or within the legal profession.

Each year, three outstanding students are selected to receive up to $20,000 in financial support toward their legal education. This financial award is disbursed in two parts:

$10,000 upon successful completion of the 2L Summer Associate Clerkship in 2026.
$10,000 upon acceptance of a full-time associate position with Baker Donelson and graduation from law school.

Additionally, each recipient will be offered a minimum six-week, salaried 2L Summer Associate position during the summer of 2026. While the firm will consider applicants’ preferred office locations, final placement will be based on Baker Donelson’s hiring needs at that time.

This scholarship serves not only as financial support but also as a gateway to professional development within one of the nation’s most respected law firms.

Eligible Field

The scholarship is specifically targeted toward students pursuing a Juris Doctor (JD) degree at an ABA-accredited law school.

Eligibility Criteria

The Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship welcomes applications from students of all backgrounds and ensures that no individual is excluded based on race, color, religion, citizenship, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military service, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school.
Be in the first year of a full-time JD program with an anticipated graduation date of 2027.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within their community or the legal field.

Exhibit outstanding academic performance and leadership achievements.
Reflect on obstacles or challenges (financial or otherwise) encountered in advancing their professional and academic goals.
Share life experiences that have shaped their values and influenced their professional aspirations.

Express a desire to pursue a legal career in a large law firm environment.
Not be a recipient of a similar diversity scholarship award from another law firm.
Students whose backgrounds or experiences contribute to the diversity of the legal profession are especially encouraged to apply.

Selection Criteria

The selection process is designed to identify candidates who have demonstrated exceptional promise and commitment across various dimensions. Applicants will be evaluated based on:

Academic performance and law school achievements.
Leadership qualities and extracurricular involvement.

Contributions to diversity and inclusion efforts within their communities or schools.
Resilience in overcoming challenges or hardships that have impacted career objectives.
Personal life experiences that have shaped professional goals and values.

A clear aspiration to build a career within a large law firm setting.

The selection committee will conduct a holistic review of all applications to identify candidates whose achievements, backgrounds, and future goals align with the firm’s mission of fostering diversity within the legal profession.

Documents Required

Applicants must submit the following materials for their application to be considered complete:

Current resume including undergraduate and law school GPA and class rank (if available).
Personal statement (maximum 500 words) describing contributions to diversity and inclusion, obstacles overcome in pursuing legal education, and key life experiences shaping personal and professional ambitions.
Unofficial law school transcript showing grades from both Fall and Spring semesters of the 1L year.

Legal writing sample (maximum 10 pages) from the applicant’s legal writing course.
Professional recommendation letter from a law school professor or employer, addressed to: Rebecca Simon,
Director of Associate Recruiting and Engagement,
Baker Donelson.

Applicants should ensure that all documents are carefully prepared and uploaded through the designated online application portal by the deadline.

Eligible Countries

All Countries

Students from all countries who are currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school within the United States are eligible to apply, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.

Benefits of the Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship

Recipients of the Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship will receive:

A total award of up to $20,000 to cover tuition and related educational expenses, distributed in two stages:
- $10,000 after completing the six-week Summer Associate Clerkship in 2026.
- $10,000 after accepting an offer for a full-time associate position and graduating from law school.

A minimum six-week, paid Summer Associate position at one of Baker Donelson’s offices.
Exposure to real-world legal practice at a nationally recognized law firm.
Mentorship and networking opportunities with Baker Donelson’s attorneys and leadership teams.

This combination of financial support and practical legal experience offers recipients a significant advantage as they advance toward their legal careers.

How to Apply

To apply for the Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship, candidates must:

After registration, check your email for instructions on how to complete and submit your application.
Upload all required documents to the online portal before the deadline of Friday, June 13, 2025.

All parts of the application, including supporting documents and recommendations, must be submitted through the online portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Note: The deadline to submit applications is Friday, June 13, 2025. All applications must be completed and submitted through the official Baker Donelson online portal by this date. Late submissions will not be considered.