Diversity Clerkship 

MDLA Member Law Firms can enroll to receive a diverse law student candidate for a summer clerkship. 

Enrollment open until April 18, 2026

We are happy to announce that the 2026 MDLA Diversity Clerkship Program will now be accepting applications for 1L and 2L students. The MDLA Diversity Clerkship Program provides diverse law students with a chance to serve as a summer clerk at a civil defense law firm in the Twin Cities area. The program provides students with opportunities to improve their writing and research skills, attend various litigation matters, network with local attorneys, and, potentially, find placement with a local firm.

Students will remain at their firm for the entirety of the clerkship program and will be employed for at least 10 weeks (June 1 – August 14, 2026). Students will be paired with an inter-office, partner level attorney mentor, who will ensure the student is receiving work projects and active feedback. The firm will also complete a program objectives form to ensure that the student has received adequate experiences and work projects.

To apply for the 2026 MDLA Diversity Clerkship, 1L and 2L law students must submit the following application materials:

• Cover Letter (with two desired firms - FIRMS TBD),
• Resume,
• Transcript, and
• Writing Sample.

All applications must be submitted by Friday, April 17, 2026. Applications can be submitted online at www.mdla.org, or emailed to cthomas@larsonking.com 

(The 2026 MDLA Diversity Clerkship Program is dedicated to promoting diversity in the civil defense practice. Applicants must be from an underrepresented racial or ethnic background to apply.)

Foley & Mansfield PLLP Scholarship Opportunity Available to MDLA Diversity Clerkship Program Applicants

Stephen J. Foley and Kyle B. Mansfield founded Foley Mansfield in 1989. Steve Foley passed away in 2014 as the firm celebrated its 25th year in business, but his legacy lives on.  Foley’s career was one of remarkable success representing insurers and their insureds in complex product liability, toxic tort and commercial litigation cases nationwide. He took pride in being a true trial lawyer, always ready to take a case to verdict in front of a jury - and his influence helped shape the national asbestos defense landscape. The Foley Mansfield Scholarship Program includes the Stephen J. Foley Litigation Scholarship for second year law students. This scholarship is intended to help diversify the pipeline of future litigators in the legal profession.   Foley Mansfield may award a $5,000 scholarship each year to a deserving law student demonstrating a strong commitment to DEI and diversifying the legal profession. 

Law Clerk Candidates: 

Interested candidates should meet the below listed qualifications and submit their application materials through the MDLA website prior to February 1, 2026.  

MDLA will review applications and pair each student with at least one participating firm. Firms will review and interview applicants.  Each firm is responsible for their own hiring and payment decisions.  MDLA does not guarantee placement. 

• Diverse 1L & 2L Students
• Enrolled in a Minnesota law school or planning on residing in Minnesota for June - August 2025
• Ability to submit Resume, Cover Letter, Writing Sample, Transcript
• Written Diversity Statement

Apply as a Law Clerk

For Law Firms:

• Summer clerkship must be 10 weeks (preferred: June – August 2026).
• Clerks must also be paired with an inter-office, attorney mentor. 
• Enrolled firms will also receive program criteria, which contains a list of mandatory experiences and assignments for each clerk.

Enroll my Firm