Launched in Fall of 2021, the Columbia Clerkships Diversity Initiative aims to increase clerkship awareness among, and help increase applications from, and placements of, current law students who may identify as being traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession, and, specifically, as law clerks. Such applicants may include women, underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, disability status, veteran status, and/or first-generation professionals. Importantly, OJC seeks to ensure an expansive definition of the meaning of diversity, openness, and inclusion, so as to realize the Initiative’s goals in its broadest terms. The Initiative’s cornerstone feature is 1:1 faculty mentoring to encourage and support promising, diverse candidates as they apply for federal and state court clerkships.
CDI Scholars are expected to participate in weekly discussions and panel events and attend off-campus trips to courthouses, usually on Fridays.
