Information for Employers

About the Program

The Allegheny County Bar Association Summer Clerkship Program is a limited-duration summer employment opportunity where first-year law students that have demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession are provided with the opportunity to obtain summer employment with employers from law firms, corporate legal departments, non-profit organizations, governmental entities and legal service agencies. The ACBA encourages students with backgrounds that have been historically excluded from the practice of law to apply and participate.

Program Goals

  • Provide legal employers access to a diverse pool of qualified 1L students
  • Increase opportunities for students at Pittsburgh-area law schools to enhance and supplement their academic experience
  • Foster the development of student’s practical legal skills
  • Promote student-attorney relationships and networking opportunities
  • Expose students to the wide variety of legal employment opportunities available in the region

Student Eligibility

First-year University of Pittsburgh School of Law and Thomas R. Kline School of Law at Duquesne University students in good standing with a commitment to diversity and inclusion may apply. Students with backgrounds that have been historically excluded from the practice of law are encouraged to apply. 

Employer Participation and Eligibility

While the list of participating employers varies from year to year, we have historically had employers representing a large variety of legal employment opportunities including law firms of various sizes, corporate legal departments, government agencies, judges’ chambers and court offices, non-profit organizations and legal service providers. 

Employers agree to provide an educational work experience and to employ a student for a minimum of 35 hours per week for at least 8 weeks, follow applicable labor and employment laws and provide pay in accordance with the terms of the Participating Employer Agreement. 

A full list of employer participation requirements can be found in the Participating Employer Agreement which must be executed and returned with the Employer Application.

Continued Employment

Participating employers commit to hiring a student for a limited period of time during the summer. After the conclusion of the program, employers and students are free to negotiate continuing employment but an offer on ongoing or future employment is not expected or required.

About the Application Process

Students must apply to the program by Feb. 5, 2024.

Application materials will include a writing sample and personal statement addressing issues of diversity. Students will rank the employers via preference and employers will be notified which students indicated a desire to interview with them. All applications will be provided to participating employers via a secure portal. 

There will be a networking event on/around Feb. 15, 2024, prior to the selection of law school candidates to interview. 

Candidate interviews will be held virtually on Feb. 29 and March 1, 2024. Law firm/company’s ranked selections need to be submitted by March 6, 2024.

Employers will be notified of acceptances on March 18, 2024.