austinbar.org MARCH 2022 | VOLUME 31, NUMBER 2
Diversity Fellowship Program Launches Its 13th Year Austin Bar Association Strives to Prioritize Cultural Competency BY LESLIE DIPPEL
Together, an increasing number of law students and firms are placing a priority on learning, public service, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
T
he Diversity Fellowship Program enables first-year law students of diverse backgrounds to participate in law firm, governmental agency, and judicial fellowships for 10 weeks during the summer. Fellowship candidates go through a competitive application process and spend half of their fellowship with civil judges and half with participating law firms whose generous financial contributions provide a stipend to the students. This program
is a part of the Austin Bar Association and participating firms’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The goal of the program is not simply to discuss cultural competency, but rather to demonstrate it in every respect. Through a partnership with the University of Texas School of Law, the program gives highly qualified students exposure to a wide variety of legal experiences. Celebrating its 13th year this summer is a testament to the success of the program. An additional point of
pride is the growth of the applicant pool and support of local firms. The first year, the program had three fellows, and at its highest point, there have been 10. Together, an increasing number of law students and firms are placing a priority on learning, public service, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Austin Bar Association Diversity Committee is led by Judge Lora Livingston, Judge Eric Shepperd, the Honorable Rudy Metayer, Tony Nelson, and Leslie Dippel. The following firms generously participated last year, making the program possible during the pandemic: Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody, Gjerset & Lorenz, Jackson Walker, Locke Lord, Lloyd Gosselink, McGinnis Lochridge, Pirkey Barber, and Scott Douglass & McConnico.
We want to give special recognition to McGinnis Lochridge and Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody for supporting the program from the very beginning, and give a big thank you to Gjerset & Lorenz and Pirkey Barber for joining the program last year. Of course, the real stars of the program are the students themselves, whose excellence demonstrates the core principles of the program. If your firm is interested in joining this year’s fellowship program or contributing, please contact Delaine Ward at delaine@ AUSTIN LAWYER AL AL austinbar.org. Austin Bar board member Leslie Dippel serves as the director of the Civil Litigation Division at the Travis County Attorney’s Office.
