Diversity Fellowship
The Donald W. Banner Diversity Fellowship.
Banner Witcoff’s Donald W. Banner Diversity Fellowship Program (“Fellowship”) was created to strengthen diversity and inclusion in the field of intellectual property law.
We offer fellowships in both our Chicago and Washington, DC offices. Please select your preferred location below and proceed with your application.
1L Applicants
Banner Witcoff will award $5,000 in law school tuition or other school-related expenses to Fellowship recipients upon completion of their 1L clerkship in the firm’s summer program. If a 1L student returns to the firm’s summer program for any part of their 2L summer and accepts a full-time position with Banner Witcoff, the student will receive an additional $5,000 financial award payable upon acceptance.
The maximum award possible for any Fellowship recipient is $10,000.
Eligibility
1L law students who meet the selection criteria and have entered into a JD program at an ABA-accredited law school in the United States are eligible to apply for the Donald W. Banner Diversity Fellowship.
Applicants must have a demonstrated record of academic achievement, excellent interpersonal skills, a scientific or engineering degree, and be eligible to take the Patent Bar Exam.
Selection Criteria
Award is based on the following criteria:
- Academic merit (undergraduate, graduate and law school)
- Commitment to the pursuit of a career in IP law
- Sincere interest in a career at Banner Witcoff
- Identification as a member of a historically underrepresented group in IP law or a demonstrated commitment to strengthening diversity and inclusion in the field of law
- Written communication skills
- Verbal communication skills determined through an interview of the law student
- Leadership qualities and community involvement
Application Process
Applications will be received until January 3, 2025.
Applicants will submit the following documents for consideration:
- Completed Donald W. Banner Diversity Fellowship application form
- Resume
- Academic transcripts (law school, undergraduate/graduate school)
- Legal writing sample (5-10 pages)
- One-page statement describing how diversity has influenced the candidate’s decision to pursue a legal career or how the candidate will contribute to increasing diversity in the field of intellectual property law
Please upload completed application materials in PDF format by January 3, 2025.
