Reflecting our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace filled with the best legal talent, we offer a 1L Fellowship Program in our New York office.
The program is for law students who have demonstrated high academic achievement, leadership ability, excellent writing and interpersonal skills—and, of course, a sincere interest in our practice.
To be named a Milbank 1L summer fellow, you must be in good standing at an ABA accredited law school and have successfully completed the first semester of your first year of a full-time JD program, with an expected graduation date of spring 2026.
The Milbank Summer Experience
1L fellows will be summer associates in our New York office. As a fellow, you'll receive comprehensive training opportunities and build your professional network with Milbank attorneys and fellow summer associates.
Interested?
The application for our 2024 1L Fellowship will be open from approximately December 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024. More information will follow. Click here to apply to the New York office.
In the application, please provide your resume, undergraduate and law school transcripts, and a personal statement. You may submit your resume, undergraduate transcript, and personal statement for review in advance of your law school transcript, as we understand that grades may not be available until early 2024. Please submit your law school transcript as soon as it becomes available.
In your statement (750- 1,000 words), please describe an instance where you demonstrated grit or perseverance, or an example of a time when you held a unique perspective, and how it has impacted your academic, personal, or professional life. The statement should also highlight your leadership skills and abilities and include any community service efforts with which you have been involved.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Finalists will be interviewed for the fellowship after applications are submitted, and the winner(s) will be announced in February 2024.
Full time employment is not guaranteed upon successful completion of the program. Milbank encourages all qualified and interested current first year law students to apply. All applicants will be considered.
If you have questions about the program or application process, please contact:
New York
Sophie Brustein
Legal Recruiting Manager
sbrustein@milbank.com
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“The 1L Diversity Fellowship was one of the most eye-opening and rewarding experiences I could have had as someone just entering the legal profession. Even though I had just finished my first year of law school, I was working directly with partners, special counsels, and associates on their matters. It was remarkable to learn from some of the top attorneys in the field, but it was even better to see how each person at Milbank—from associate to partner—was an open door in the truest sense. Everyone was more than happy to explain their matters, answer my questions, and provide guidance not only on my work products at the firm but also on how to pursue the rest of my legal education. That kindness and generosity was also extended to my personal interactions with people at the firm. I was impressed by the number of colleagues who would check in on me throughout the summer, particularly among the legal recruiting team, my partner and associate mentors, members of aADAM (Attorneys of African Descent at Milbank), and the Muslim attorneys at Milbank. It was incredibly affirming to find colleagues that were willing to understand my experiences and accommodate my personal needs as a Muslim, Arab, and Black woman so that I could produce my best work for my colleagues and clients. It was a great privilege to have had this opportunity, and I am grateful I will get to experience it once again as I chose to return for 2L Summer.” Sahar Omer |
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“Being a 1L Diversity Fellow at Milbank exceeded any expectation I could have imagined. Having the opportunity to rotate through three different practice groups, each providing me with substantive work and furthering my professional development, I was exposed to new areas of law and began developing skills necessary for the field. The best part of my experience and ultimately why I chose to return as a 2L is because of how welcoming and genuine my interactions were with associates and partners, especially those in aAdam (Attorneys of African Descent at Milbank). Milbank is a place where I truly feel like I belong, and I recommend it to anyone interested!” Heaven Johnson-Branch |
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“It was such an honor being a 1L Diversity Fellow at Milbank. As a summer associate, I was able to work in various practice groups and collaborate with colleagues across the globe. I chose this firm as a 1L and am returning as a 2L because of Milbank’s robust ability to make me feel welcomed and prepare me for my legal future ahead. Moreover, through my summer involvement with aADAM (Attorneys of African Descent at Milbank), I know firsthand how much cultivating genuine community means to the firm. I strongly recommend this fellowship program to anyone interested in Big Law!” Blaine Elias |
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"As a 1L Diversity Fellow at Milbank, I had the opportunity to rotate through Litigation and Transactional practices where I was treated just as any other Summer Associate. I was given substantive work and participated in all of the Summer Program trainings and events. I appreciated the fact that I was assigned a Partner Mentor and Associate Mentor, with whom I kept in touch throughout my summer and who offered advice both about my experience in the summer program, law school, and longer-term career goals. As a first generation professional and woman of color, I especially appreciated the firm's affinity groups like LaMano which fostered community and offered networking opportunities even in a mostly virtual summer." Yessenia Moreno |
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“The Milbank 1L Diversity Fellowship was an incredible opportunity to experience life at a global law firm. Through Milbank’s practice group rotations, pro bono work assignments, and professional development, I received tremendous exposure to various fields of law and had the ability to develop key legal skills. Not only was the work engaging and rewarding, but Milbank is dedicated to investing in the next generation and I found numerous opportunities to receive mentorship." Michael Robinson |
