.png?ver=oj3y6tFY-Z3WrOTUP0HA-Q%3d%3d)
The Columbus Bar Association's Minority Clerkship Program (MCP) was established in 1987 and is a collaboration of the CBA, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, and Capital University Law School.
The program was a major initiative of former Columbus Bar President Ben Zox, and was launched under the leadership of Guy Reece, who chaired the Minorities in the Legal Profession Committee and Michael B. Coleman, former Mayor of Columbus. Norton Webster, an active member of the committee for over twenty years, chaired the subcommittee that designed and nurtured the program.
Today, in spite of tremendous advancements in the legal profession, educational and clerkship opportunities are not equally available to all. As such, a goal of the Columbus Bar Association's Minority Clerkship Program is to encourage legal organizations to diversify their clerkship and intern populations to enhance the participation of individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the legal industry.
The MCP supports underrepresented students in the legal industry. Some examples of underrepresented groups include but are not limited to:
- individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds,
- individuals with disabilities,
- individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community,
- individuals who are first generation higher education students,
- individuals who grew up in geographically disadvantaged communities or regions
This opportunity is open to all regardless of race or ethnicity.
Since the inception of the program, employers have paid millions of dollars in salaries, employing more than 1000 summer clerks. Carlile Patchen & Murphy, Crabbe Brown & James, Kegler Brown Hill & Ritter, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, Schottenstein Zox & Dunn, Squire Sanders & Dempsey, and Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease have been part of the MCP since the beginning. Since 1987, the MCP has increased the representation of minority attorneys in Central Ohio firms that participate in the Columbus Bar's Managing Partners Diversity Initiative.
Interested in learning more? Qualified students and law firms and corporate and government offices should contact the Columbus Bar Association at clerkship@cbalaw.org or 614-221-4112.