Apply for 2024 diversity judicial internship program

About the internship opportunity
The Missouri Bar is launching a summer internship program for current 1L and 2L law students at Missouri-based law schools who are in good standing and are committed to advancing diversity in the legal profession. The internship's short-term duration and flexible timing complement, rather than conflict with, 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 and August 2024. 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, internships with a shorter or longer total duration and/or a completion date later than August will be considered for approval on an individual basis. 

How and when do eligible law students apply?
The application deadline is April 5, 2024 for a summer 2024 internship. Students can complete the application online using the following link: 2024 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, 2024.

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.  These dates, along with other important information will be provided to interns in their acceptance packet.
• All interns and judges must complete a post-internship questionnaire/survey about the experience by September 2024. 

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 18 at 12:30 p.m.
Registration link - https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpde6oqD0uGtQY_xmKVMweQBmACicfDEWx

Tuesday, March 19 2024 at 1 p.m.
Registration link - https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIode2spz4jH9cNCE3KQCHMNaeWrFixKYrH

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 12:30 p.m.
Registration link - https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrcO2rrDotGdJOVY3Sw6GzkYZUxwwOTTyQ

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
Registration link - https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwuf-ugqT8rG9G_6isc8cPWQCtEidGrIpq1