2L Diversity & Inclusion Fellowship

We believe that our ability to perform at the very highest level of our profession is significantly enhanced by building and promoting diverse and inclusive teams in the broadest sense. Our 2L Diversity & Inclusion Fellowship provides law students with an opportunity to work alongside some of the top lawyers in the world through our Summer Associate Program and gain hands-on experience, develop leadership skills, interact with Kirkland clients and make enduring connections with peers.

In addition to participating in the Kirkland Summer Associate Program, recipients receive professional development support and a $50,000 stipend*, less all required income and payroll taxes. This Fellowship is open to all second-year law students that apply and will be awarded on a competitive basis, regardless of race, ethnicity, citizenship, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, national origin, medical condition, veteran status, disability status and any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. To be considered, the candidate must: (1) be enrolled and in good standing as a student (Juris Doctor) at an ABA accredited law school and/or be a joint-degree student at an ABA-accredited law school that will graduate from both programs in 2026; (2) have a demonstrated record of academic achievement; (3) submit a personal statement (as further described in the above application); (4) receive an offer to join the Kirkland Summer Associate Program in one of our U.S. offices; (5) have a sincere interest and commitment to private practice; and (6) be likely to practice after graduation at one of Kirkland’s offices. As with all summer associates, there is no guarantee of full-time employment after graduation, but it is our sincere hope that all of our Fellows will ultimately practice at Kirkland & Ellis. Please reach out to Jason Triplett with any questions.

Applications open June 1, 2024.

*In order to receive the Fellowship, a candidate must participate in the Summer Associate Program in one of Kirkland’s domestic offices. Splitting with another private employer is not permitted (inclusive of touchbacks with a previous employer)