Apply for 2025 diversity judicial internship program by April 7

The Missouri Bar is once again offering 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. Due to the internship's short-term duration and flexible timing, students do not have to stress about the opportunity conflicting 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 judges, lawyers, clerks, and other legal professionals; 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 2025. 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 do I apply?
The application deadline is April 7, 2025, for a summer 2025 internship. Students can complete the application online here.

When will I know if I was accepted for an internship?
Eligible law students accepted for an internship will be notified and matched with a member of the judiciary by May 5, 2025.

What are the requirements and expectations of law students and judges 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 packets.

All interns and judges must complete a post-internship questionnaire/survey about the experience by September 2025. 

Questions?
For more information, contact Elizabeth Reed, Missouri Bar diversity & inclusion director, at 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.

Wednesday, March 12 at 4:30 p.m.
Registration link - https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/XNV3AzRvQ1uFweFs_czs9A

Tuesday, March 18 at 1 p.m.
Registration link - https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/WGo6pyyTS-qVWSTAfQ3QbA

Wednesday, March 19 at 12:30 p.m.
Registration link - https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/RLtdbwm9SMu_jEiNhNKP-A

Thursday, March 27 at 5 p.m.
Registration link - https://mobar-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/768OdMo5QgmP5ZY-_qHkNg