Apply for 2023 diversity judicial internship program

About the internship opportunity

The Missouri Bar is launching a short-time summer internship program for current 1L and 2L law students at Missouri-based law schools who are underrepresented within the legal profession. The internship's short-term duration and flexible timing complement, rather than conflict with, the law student's other summer work and/or internship opportunities.

This internship experience is designed to enrich the 2L and 3L law school experience and future opportunities in the law by matching the law student with an associate circuit or circuit judge who will provide an opportunity for the student to observe the justice system at work, meet members of the profession and justice system (judges, lawyers, clerks, etc.), and provide valuable exposure to the standards of professionalism within the legal industry.

How does it work?

The timing to complete the internship is flexible, with a goal of completing 80 hours between June 1 and July 30, 2023. Any specific schedule mutually agreed to by the judge and student (e.g., two concurrent 40-hour weeks; two 40-hour weeks separated as needed, 20-hour weeks over four weeks, etc.) is acceptable to fulfill the requirements. While the goal is a total of 80 hours completed before July 30, internships with a shorter total duration and/or a completion date later than July 30 will be considered for approval on an individual basis. 

How and when do eligible law students apply?

The application deadline is April 1, 2023 for a summer 2023 internship. Students can complete the application online using the following link - 2023 Missouri Bar Diversity Judicial Internship Application

When will students know if they have been accepted for an internship?

Eligible law students accepted for an internship will be notified and matched with a member of the judiciary by May 1, 2023.

Requirements/expectations of law students and judges participating in the internship program

• The student's notification of acceptance will include contact information for the sponsoring judge. The law student will be responsible for contacting the judge within 10 days of receiving acceptance notification to develop and finalize a mutually acceptable schedule for the internship.
• All interns will attend one of the Missouri Bar Diversity Judicial Internship orientation sessions via Zoom between May 1 and June 1.
• All interns and judges must complete a post-internship questionnaire/survey about the experience by August 10, 2023. 
   

Questions or more information

For questions or more information, contact Elizabeth Reed, director of D&I, The Missouri Bar, ereed@mobar.org or 573-635-4128. 

You can also register in advance for one of the following Diversity Judicial Internship informational Zoom meetings listed below. If you can’t preregister, still use the link below to join us the day of the meeting.

Monday, March 20, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. 
Registration link - https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlc-2qpzwoHtdRtXVPs6n2RqEhdOiZsSJk

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. 
Registration link - https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqduuhpzMjH9Mo6CSBQELVAK_eMO3xUo7e

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. 
Registration link - https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtcuqgpzIrG90A_GUvsHBVm4VFUKQHhpHD

Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. 
Registration link - https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrfumuqj4vGtd_xv1ti_Sy98wej9i-7a7L