Tennessee Bar Association Diversity Leadership Institute Program & Rural Judicial Fellowship
The Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division’s DLI program is a six-month leadership, professional development and networking program for all Tennessee law students in their second, third or fourth years of study. The program is designed to:
- Cultivate the analytical, professional and interpersonal skills necessary to navigate the practice of law;
- Equip students with the leadership skills and judgment to drive meaningful impact in the legal community;
- Provide networking opportunities and professional connections with the lawyers and judges serving on the YLD board;
- Promote collaboration among the six Tennessee law schools to expand perspectives, build lasting statewide professional networks and enhance career opportunities; and
- Foster civility in the legal profession by requiring law students to engage thoughtfully and professionally across diverse perspectives, experiences and environments.
Class size is limited to a total of up to 8 students selected from across the state.
Rural Judicial Fellowship (RJF)
The Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (TBA YLD) proudly launched the Rural Judicial Fellowship (RJF) in the summer of 2025. This program is designed to address the critical shortage of attorneys in rural Tennessee counties while providing law students with a meaningful and enriching clerkship experience. This initiative aims to give rising 2L, 3L and 4L law students an opportunity to spend 6 weeks of the summer as a judicial law clerk in a legal community in rural Tennessee. This program provides a $1,000 stipend and the opportunity to work directly with judges, gaining practical legal experience and fostering connections in underserved areas. Click here for more information on the 2026 program. Participating 2026 judges will be announced in the coming months. Click here for the 2026 application.
