2012 First-Year Diversity Fellowship Program

Tonkon Torp LLP is committed to the growth of diversity in our Firm and in the local legal community. To that end, we are pleased to offer a student fellowship to a first-year law student who is a member of a racial or ethnic minority group. The fellowship provides the student selected with a position at Tonkon Torp as a summer associate during the summer immediately following the completion of his or her first year of law school. In addition, if the student returns to work at Tonkon Torp during the summer following his or her second year of law school, the student will receive a $7,500 academic scholarship. To qualify for the $7,500 academic scholarship, the student selected must be invited and must return to Tonkon Torp for all or part of their second year summer. The $7,500 will be paid following completion of the student's second summer with Tonkon Torp.

Internship with Portland General Electric

For a two-week period during the summer, the 1L Diversity Fellow will have an opportunity to work in the legal department of Portland General Electric Company, Oregon's largest electric utility and a client of Tonkon Torp. During this internship period, the 1L Diversity Fellow will get exposure to the day-to-day life of the in-house lawyers at a major utility, work on legal projects and attend meetings with lawyers and clients.

Selection Criteria

The Tonkon Torp LLP 1L Diversity Fellow will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:

• The individual must be a member of a racial or ethnic minority group;
• The individual must be a first-year law student in good standing for the degree of Juris Doctor at an ABA accredited law school;
• The individual must demonstrate a record of academic achievement that evidences great promise for a successful career during the remainder of law school and in the legal profession;
• The individual must contribute meaningfully to the diversity of the law school student body, and upon entering the legal profession, the legal community;
• The individual must demonstrate a commitment to practice law in Portland, Oregon following graduation from law school;
• While applicants need not disclose their financial circumstances, a demonstrated need for financial assistance may be taken into consideration.

To be considered, please submit (1) a current resumé; (2) photocopy of undergraduate transcripts; (3) photocopy of first semester law school transcripts; and (4) a personal statement (1-2 pages) that addresses the criteria set forth above, to:

Marti McCausland, Manager of Attorney Recruiting
Tonkon Torp LLP
888 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 1600
Portland, Oregon 97204
Fax Number: (503) 972-3798
E-Mail Address:Marti.McCausland@tonkon.com

Relevant Dates 

December 1, 2011:            In accordance with NALP guidelines, applications from first year students will not be accepted before December 1.

January 18, 2012:              Submission deadline—Application materials must be received at Tonkon Torp by this date; except that if first semester law school transcripts are not available by January 18, 2012, you may send those transcripts when they are available.

February 2012:                   Interviews with finalists at Tonkon Torp LLP.

March 2012:                        Fellowship recipient announced.