1Ls: Bass Berry Applications Open Today
On November 1st, the following opportunities will open up for 1Ls with Bass, Berry & Sims, PLC: 1) the 1L Summer Associate Program, 2) the 1L Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship, and 3) the 1L LCLD Scholars Program
1) 10 week 2025 1L Summer Associate program in Memphis, Nashville, or Washington DC. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis starting November 1, 2024.
Our Summer Associate program is designed to provide law students with a realistic picture of life as an associate and to assess a candidate’s ability to contribute to our firm. Summer associates have the opportunity to participate in the life of the firm, including contributions to pro bono work and engagement with our diversity and inclusion program and affinity groups. The relationships you build and the challenging opportunities you discover over the summer will continue when you begin a legal career with us.
Our Memphis, Nashville and Washington, DC offices will sponsor a ten-week summer associate program for 1Ls in 2025, scheduled to run from May 19, 2025 – July 25, 2025.
Join us.
Bass, Berry & Sims seeks law students who demonstrate high academic achievement, participate in law school and extracurricular activities, and with a demonstrated interest in community involvement to experience our dynamic and well-rounded summer associate program. The successful candidate will have enthusiasm for a team-oriented environment and a client-centric approach to their practice. Our program balances work opportunities across practice groups with mentorship and training opportunities and aims to develop our summer associates into our next class of attorneys. We prioritize recruiting law students from diverse and unique backgrounds and personal circumstances while also considering academic and professional achievements.
To be considered for this position, please submit an online application HERE. Applications must include the following:
§ Cover Letter
§ Resume
§ Undergraduate Transcript – unofficial will be accepted
§ Once 1L grades are released, please email your 1L law school transcript to Katie.mcdaniel@bassberry.com.
2) 2025 1L Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship (up to 2 available; up to $45,000 available over 3 years). Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis starting November 1, 2024.
Bass, Berry & Sims believes embracing diversity strengthens who we are as a firm and enhances the service we provide to our clients and the communities where we live and work. We have devoted substantial recruitment efforts to attracting and developing industry-leading attorneys who will bring a wide variety of backgrounds and life experiences to the firm. As part of our commitment, the firm offers up to two fellowships to first-year law students who are committed to diversity and inclusion. Successful applicants to the fellowship are eligible to receive up to a $45,000 award based on the below payment schedule, as well as a paid summer associate position.
1. $10,000 payable on the first day of employment in our summer associate program as a first-year summer associate;
2. $15,000 payable on the first day of employment of the summer program as a second-year summer associate;
3. $20,000 payable upon joining Bass, Berry & Sims as a first-year associate.
Eligibility Criteria:
The Bass Berry & Sims 1L Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship is open to first-year law students that meet at least one of the below criteria and are either a U.S. citizen or otherwise authorized to work in the United States:
1) A first-generation college graduate
2) Foreign-born, or a first-generation U.S. citizen
3) A graduate of a historically minority undergraduate institution
4) Economically disadvantaged
5) Disabled
6) Historically underrepresented
7) Other members of society that are otherwise underrepresented
8) Non-traditional career path law student
9) Otherwise demonstrate a meaningful commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in their community
Additionally, 1L students must be enrolled full-time in an ABA-accredited law school and not be the recipient of a similar diversity fellowship award from another law firm, employer, or legal organization such as the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) 1L Scholars Partnership program, during the same time period.
Application Materials:
Applications for Bass Berry & Sims’ 1L Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning November 1, 2024. To be considered for this position, please submit your application HERE (You will also be considered for our 1L summer associate position by submitting this application. You do not need to complete a separate application). Your application must include the following:
§ Cover Letter
§ Resume
§ Undergraduate Transcript – unofficial copy will be accepted
§ NALP Common Application Form
§ Once 1L grades are released, please send your 1L law school transcript to Katie.mcdaniel@bassberry.com
For more information, please contact: Katie McDaniel, Student Programs Manager and/or Lee Watts, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
3) 2025 1L LCLD Scholars Program, which gives a 1L the opportunity to split the summer in Nashville between Bass Berry law firm and the corporate legal department of Bridgestone Americas, Inc. Applications will be accepted between November 1, 2024 and December 1, 2024.
Bass, Berry & Sims and Bridgestone Americas, Inc. are excited to join together to host a 1L Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Scholars Program this summer in Nashville, TN. This program will give a 1L student (JD Class of 2027) the opportunity to split their summer between a law firm and a corporate legal department. The selected law student will have the opportunity to participate in a mix of substantive trainings, client projects, pro bono matters, social activities and more.
The partnership program consists of a 10-week program from May 19, 2025 until July 25, 2025. The exact dates of the split between Bass, Berry & Sims and Bridgestone Americas, Inc. will be determined prior to the start of the program.
Bass, Berry & Sims.
At Bass, Berry & Sims, delivering exceptional work is a critical part of what makes us successful. We stand apart because we all respect the contributions that our people make to the firm. We create an inclusive environment where everyone can do complex work and give their all while being themselves, irrespective of role or background. Leaving a legacy for future generations matters to us, so we always go above and beyond to exceed expectations.
We recruit and maintain a talented and diverse team of attorneys within our offices. Embracing diversity and inclusion strengthens who we are as a firm and enhances the services we can provide to our clients. We have devoted substantial recruitment efforts to attracting and developing industry-leading attorneys who will bring a wide variety of backgrounds and life experiences to our team.
Our Summer Associate program is designed to provide law students with a realistic picture of life as an associate and to assess a candidate’s ability to contribute to our firm. Our program balances work opportunities across practice groups with mentorship and training opportunities and aims to develop our summer associates into our next class of attorneys. Summer associates have the opportunity to participate in the life of the firm, including contributions to pro bono work and engagement with our diversity and inclusion program and affinity groups. The relationships you build and the challenging opportunities you discover over the summer will continue when you begin a legal career with us. Find out more about our summer program HERE.
Bridgestone Americas, Inc.
When you work for Bridgestone, you know that you are a valued teammate who is part of a larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality.” Bridgestone believes people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they are allowed to bring their whole selves to work and know they are supported. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. We are building a team as diverse as the world we serve. Bridgestone Americas and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand products and services to address the needs of a broad range of customers and
industries. The Bridgestone Americas Law Department provides support for all areas of the business, including intellectual property, litigation, corporate services, marketing and advertising, regulatory/environmental, business unit support, labor and employment, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate. An internship with Bridgestone Americas provides law students with opportunities to gain insight, training and exposure to in-house law practice to help increase their marketability and readiness for gaining full-time legal employment opportunities.
Bridgestone Americas promotes a culture of diversity and inclusion through a variety of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which bring teammates and allies together based on shared characteristics, life experiences and interests. You can find information on our ERGs HERE. Our most recent DE&I Annual Report can be found HERE
The Bridgestone Americas Law Department launched a diversity, equity and inclusion initiative in 2020 that complements company-wide DEI efforts. Currently, department members participate in four DEI-related committees focused on recruiting, outside counsel engagement, internship programs, and inclusion. Bridgestone Americas is a member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), a National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) sponsor, and recently achieved Certification Plus for Mansfield Rule: Legal Department Edition 3.0.
Join us.
Eligibility Criteria:
Bass, Berry & Sims and Bridgestone Americas prioritize recruiting students from a wide variety of backgrounds and life experiences while also considering academic and professional achievements. The successful candidate will have enthusiasm for a team-oriented environment and a client-centric approach to their practice.
The 1L LCLD Scholars Program is open to first-year law students that are enrolled full-time in an ABA-accredited law school and meet at least one of the below criteria:
1) First generation college graduate
2) Foreign born, or a first-generation U.S. citizen
3) Graduate of a historically minority undergraduate institution
4) Economically disadvantaged
5) Disabled
6) Historically underrepresented
7) Other members of society that are otherwise underrepresented
8) Non-traditional career path law student
9) Otherwise demonstrate a meaningful commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in their community
Application Materials: To be considered for this partnership program, please submit an online application HERE. Applications for this program will be accepted November 1, 2024 to December 1, 2024. Your application must include the following:
§ Cover Letter
§ Resume
§ Undergraduate Transcript – unofficial will be accepted
§ NALP Common Application Prompt (500 word response)
o Using specific examples, please explain how your personal, academic, and/or professional background and experiences will allow you to offer a diverse perspective to our team and the clients we serve.
§ Once 1L grades are released, please send your 1L law school transcript to Katie.mcdaniel@bassberry.com
If you have questions regarding the program or application process, please contact Katie McDaniel, Student Programs Manager, at katie.mcdaniel@bassberry.com.
