When the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation surveyed law students of color, legal aid attorneys, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leaders at bar associations and law schools about what makes a successful summer clerkship program, the consensus was clear: a supportive working environment is crucial to a program’s success.
But what does a supportive working environment entail? To participate in the Foundation’s Justice for All Summer Clerkship Program, civil legal service nonprofits must pay a competitive wage, offer mentoring and networking opportunities, and have an organizational commitment to DEI.
“We really want the students to come away after the summer is over with a network of attorneys ready to support their success,” said Camille Gill, programs and grants counsel at the Foundation. “Particularly for students of color, having those relationships can make all the difference.”
The Foundation’s Diversity Summer Clerkship Panel, hosted for the second year by Barnes & Thornburg, presented another opportunity for the clerks to meet one another while learning from established legal leaders. Panelists Trischa Chapman, partner, BakerHostetler; Luke Fedlam, partner, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur; Sarvani Nicolosi, supervising attorney, Legal Aid of Western Ohio; and Katrina Thompson, partner, Barnes & Thornburg, graciously gave their time and guidance to the law students over lunch at the firm’s Columbus office.
If there was a throughline in the panelist’s advice, it was keeping an open mind and remembering that a successful legal career is all about relationships. Barnes & Thornburg Managing Partner Bill Nolan echoed the panelists’ sentiments when he emphasized the value of getting to know people and not being afraid to ask for help.
“I tell law students that you don’t need to know all of the answers to your career right now,” Nolan said. “Opportunities like this panel help you meet people. You never know how the dots will connect later in your career.”
Justice for All Summer Clerks are law students funded by the Foundation working across Ohio to support civil legal services. For more information about the program, contact Camille Gill.