USA Scholarships
BakerHostetler Diversity Fellowship 2027
The BakerHostetler Diversity Fellowship Program recruits diverse 1L and 2L students into the firm''s summer associate ranks and adds tuition support on top of standard summer pay. CareerOneStop and law school career offices still list the award under the Diversity Fellowship name; BakerHostetler now brands the experience as the Paul D. White Scholars Program, named for a partner who modeled community leadership. Scholars who show fortitude on the path to law or who lead in their communities submit an online packet with resume, undergraduate and law transcripts, up to three references, and a 500-word statement. 1L scholars receive summer compensation plus $7,500 toward law school costs; 2L scholars receive summer pay plus $10,000, and alumni who join the firm after the bar receive an additional $10,000 signing payment.
What is the BakerHostetler Diversity Fellowship Program?
Law students searching the BakerHostetler Diversity Fellowship Program usually want two things at once: money for tuition and a credible summer associate line on a resume. BakerHostetler delivers both through the Paul D. White Scholars Program, which grew out of the firm's older diversity fellowship branding. You work as a paid summer associate in one of the firm's national offices, attend firmwide training, sit in on real matters, and receive a tuition stipend on top of summer wages.
The people who fit best are not always the ones with the highest first-semester GPA. BakerHostetler asks for fortitude on the road to law school or leadership that changed a community. That might mean navigating immigration barriers, raising siblings while working, building a student organization that still runs after you graduate, or mentoring youth in your hometown. The 500-word statement is where that story has to land.
Because hiring is office-specific, treat bakerlaw.com as the source of truth for whether 1L or 2L applications are open and when they close. CareerOneStop still lists the legacy fellowship title and a February timeline, which remains a useful planning anchor even as the Paul D. White name appears on the firm's own pages. If you earn a spot, budget for a full summer commitment, keep other firms' diversity awards from conflicting, and remember the extra $10,000 payment tied to joining BakerHostetler after you pass the bar.
Eligibility
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✓1L or 2L at an ABA-accredited law schoolYou must be enrolled full time in good standing at an ABA-accredited J.D. program when you apply. The program targets rising 2Ls for 1L hiring tracks and rising 3Ls for 2L summer roles.
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✓Diverse background or unique perspectiveThe fellowship historically required membership in an EEOC underrepresented racial or ethnic group or the LGBT community. The Paul D. White Scholars criteria emphasize fortitude, grit, and community leadership that diversifies client service.
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✓Authorized to work in the United StatesYou must be a U.S. citizen or otherwise authorized to work in the United States for a paid summer associate position.
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✓Commitment to an eight-week (or longer) summerScholars spend at least eight weeks with the firm during the summer program. Split summers between offices may be allowed with hiring partner approval.
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✓No conflicting diversity fellowship from another firmYou cannot hold a similar diversity fellowship from another law firm for the same summer period. Disclose other firm diversity awards when you apply.
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✓Strong academics and communication skillsSelection weighs college and law school performance, writing and oral communication, leadership, and sincere interest in joining BakerHostetler after graduation.
Benefits
- Summer associate salary Paid at firm summer rates
- Tuition stipend $7,500 toward law school expenses
- Training and exposure Firmwide curriculum plus office assignments
- Scholars alumni network Support after joining as associate
- Post-grad signing bonus $10,000 when you join the firm after bar admission
- Bar review course Not specified in public materials
- Summer associate salary Paid at firm summer rates
- Tuition stipend $10,000 toward law school expenses
- Return summer option Returning scholars may spend full 2L summer at firm
- Post-grad signing bonus $10,000 when you join the firm after bar admission
- Guaranteed offer Not automatic; performance-based
Document checklist
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✓Paul D. White Scholars online applicationComplete the firm's online form linked from the summer associate and diversity pages on bakerlaw.com. Application links rotate by class year and office.
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✓Current resumeOne to two pages covering education, work, leadership, and community roles relevant to legal practice.
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✓Undergraduate transcriptUnofficial or official undergraduate transcript showing degree progress and GPA.
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✓Law school transcriptLaw transcript if grades are available. If 1L grades are pending, the firm may accept them later per office instructions.
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✓Reference list (up to three)List names and contact information for up to three professional or academic references. Follow any supplemental reference letter rules in the live application.
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✓500-word personal statementChoose a prompt on legacy and grit or on community leadership inspired by Paul D. White. Stay within the word limit and write in your own voice.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the BakerHostetler Diversity Fellowship Program?
It is BakerHostetler's diversity-focused law student pipeline that combines a paid summer associate job with tuition stipends. The firm now runs the award as the Paul D. White Scholars Program, but career databases still list the legacy Diversity Fellowship name.
How much does the BakerHostetler diversity fellowship pay?
Public 2026 materials show 1L scholars receive summer pay plus $7,500 toward law school expenses, 2L scholars receive summer pay plus $10,000, and scholars who join the firm after the bar receive another $10,000. Amounts can change by cycle, so verify on bakerlaw.com.
Who is eligible for the BakerHostetler Diversity Fellowship?
Full-time 1L or 2L students at ABA-accredited law schools who are authorized to work in the U.S., meet academic expectations, and bring diverse backgrounds or demonstrated fortitude and community leadership. You cannot double-book a similar diversity award from another firm for the same summer.
Is the BakerHostetler program the same as the Paul D. White Scholars Program?
Yes. BakerHostetler rebranded its diversity summer pipeline under Paul D. White's name while keeping the same focus on grit, leadership, and inclusive hiring. Apply through the Paul D. White links on the firm's law student careers pages.
When is the BakerHostetler diversity fellowship deadline?
Deadlines vary by office and class year. CareerOneStop historically listed a February 26 date, and many BakerHostetler offices recruit 1Ls on a similar winter timeline. Check the summer associate page for the exact date before you submit.
What should the BakerHostetler personal statement cover?
Choose either the legacy and grit prompt or the community leadership prompt, maximum 500 words. Describe obstacles you overcame or leadership that inspired others, and connect the story to why you want to practice law at BakerHostetler.
Does the BakerHostetler diversity fellowship guarantee a job after law school?
No guarantee is published. Scholars receive stipends and summer experience, and many aim for offers after a successful summer. Performance, office need, and bar results still drive full-time hiring.
Can 2L students apply for the BakerHostetler Diversity Fellowship?
Yes. The Paul D. White Scholars materials cover both 1L and 2L tracks, with the larger tuition stipend on the 2L side. Some cycles close 2L hiring earlier when classes fill, so monitor the careers site.
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