Cleary Scholars Program
Clients around the world turn to Cleary to handle their most challenging assignments, including innovative deals, large transactions and high-profile corporate matters.
In a constantly changing legal environment, we believe clients are best serviced by confident, creative, and well-rounded lawyers with a variety of perspectives and experiences. At Cleary, championing diversity, equity and inclusion is one of our core values and is central to how we approach our legal practice.
In support of this commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, we are pleased to offer scholarships to selected 2L summer associates with a demonstrated interest in building a more inclusive legal community. These scholarships are designed to create opportunity and access for law students to enter and succeed in private legal practice and help mitigate the cost of law school. Cleary Gottlieb welcomes talented law school students to join our community and collaborate with our lawyers on an exciting range of matters across our world class practice, while creating meaningful relationships with colleagues and clients.
2L Scholars Program
Students applying to our 2L Summer Associate Program are also welcome to apply to our scholarship program. Our 2L Scholars Program offers a unique opportunity to students who have completed their second year of law school (class of 2026) to join one of Cleary’s U.S. offices as a summer associate. Each summer’s 10-week program will include:
- In-depth legal training, mentoring, and substantive client work experience.
- The opportunity to earn up to $40,000 (less withholding taxes) in scholarships ($20,000 upon receiving and accepting an offer to return as an associate following your 2L summer; $20,000 upon joining the firm as a first-year associate), in addition to a weekly salary (currently $4327/week).
Participation Criteria
The application process is open to all law students, regardless of race, color, citizenship, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military service, disability, religion, or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable law. We strongly encourage law students across a variety of backgrounds with a demonstrated interest in building a more inclusive legal community to apply.
Candidates must attend an ABA accredited law school.
Scholars may not split their summer with another law firm or other organization.
Candidates will be assessed on the following factors:
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
- Demonstrated interest in Cleary’s practice
- Academic and leadership achievements
- Application (including personal statement)
Application Process
How to Apply: Candidates who wish to apply for the Cleary Scholars program must submit an application for our 2025 summer associate program (through the Cleary Interview Program (CIP) or a law school application program) and our 2L Cleary Scholars Program.
Timeline: Applications will be accepted online beginning on June 1, 2024.
Required Materials:
- Resume
- Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable and should be provided as a supplement if not available when application is submitted)
- Undergraduate transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable)
- Cover letter that may include, but not limited to, your interest in a legal career at Cleary Gottlieb as well as any practice area interests and/or geographical preferences.
- Contact information for two professional and/or academic references
- Personal Statement (limited to 500 words or fewer) addressing the following:
- your interest in the Cleary Scholars Program
- your interest in and commitment to helping build a more inclusive legal industry
Guidelines: In order to be considered for the Cleary Scholars Program, candidates must first receive an offer for the 2L summer associate program. Those who receive an offer for the Cleary Scholars Program will have up to 7 days to consider the scholarship offer from the date the scholarship offer is extended.
Applications will be accepted through August 1, 2024 and should be submitted to:
https://legalrecruit.cgsh.com/CGSelfApply/viRecruitSelfApply/ReDefault.aspx
Required Materials:
- Resume
- Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable and should be provided as a supplement if not available when application is submitted)
- Undergraduate transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable)
- Cover letter that may include, but not limited to, your interest in a legal career at Cleary Gottlieb as well as any practice area interests and/or geographical preferences.
- Contact information for two professional and/or academic references
- Personal Statement (limited to 500 words or fewer) addressing the following:
- Your interest in the Cleary Scholars Program
- Your interest in and commitment to helping build a more inclusive legal industry
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted through August 1, 2024 and should be submitted to:
https://legalrecruit.cgsh.com/CGSelfApply/viRecruitSelfApply/ReDefault.aspx