Dinsmore & Shohl LLP Diversity Scholarship Program
The Procter & Gamble Company/Dinsmore & Shohl LLP Diversity Scholarship Information •
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP Diversity Scholarship InformationDiversity Scholarships Dinsmore & Shohl LLP continues to search for members of groups traditionally under-represented to promote diversity in the legal profession. For more information about Dinsmore & Shohl LLP's diversity initiatives, please see our
Diversity Page. The Diversity Scholarships are open to current first- and second-year law students with a demonstrated record of academic or professional achievement and leadership qualities. Applicants may be minorities or individuals who contribute meaningfully to diversity in their communities.
The Procter & Gamble Company/Dinsmore & Shohl LLP Diversity Scholarship The Procter & Gamble Company and Dinsmore & Shohl LLP are seeking candidates for a unique new program that includes clerking at the two organizations and a $10,000 scholarship.
The chosen student will spend six weeks as a paid summer clerk in the legal department of The Procter & Gamble Company's worldwide headquarters in Cincinnati and another six weeks in Dinsmore & Shohl LLP’s Cincinnati office. A mentor from each organization will provide professional and personal development assistance.
Click Here to fill out an application
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP Diversity Scholarships Dinsmore & Shohl LLP also offers a number of scholarships of up to $10,000 with paid summer associate positions to qualified applicants.
Scholarship recipients will be Summer Associates in one of the firm’s offices during the summer and will be assigned a mentor - a Dinsmore & Shohl LLP lawyer - at the time the scholarship is awarded. The mentor will be available to the Scholar as a dedicated resource to assist with professional development.
Click Here to fill out an application
Deadlines
Deadline for second-year students is between July 15 and September 15; first-year students must submit applications between December 1 and December 31.
Candidates may submit completed application to:
Jennifer L. Stark
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Manager of Legal Recruiting
255 E. 5th Street, Suite 1900
Cincinnati, OH 45202
(513) 977-8488
Diversity Scholarship Recipients
Tamra Jordan - 2008 Summer Associate, Cincinnati office
As a summer associate at Dinsmore & Shohl and Procter and Gamble, I had an extremely unique and valuable summer experience. The opportunity to work with such an outstanding group of attorneys at Dinsmore is evidence of why the firm is so well-respected, established and continues to grow after 100 years of existence. The opportunity to choose my own assignments provided the freedom that few of my peers enjoyed during their summers. The fact that several of the attorneys were aware of my interests and went out of their way to be sure that I was aware of assignments in those areas as they became available meant a lot to me and provided me with even more interesting work.
During my second half of the summer with Procter and Gamble’s In-House Counsel, I have had the opportunity to compare and contrast the firm experience with the in-house experience. Working with In-house counsel at Procter and Gamble is especially unique because of the way in which the Legal department is organized. My assignments were dynamic and it was clear that my work made an impact and was useful. Observing the interaction between in-house and outside counsel and learning what qualities in-house counsel look for when retaining outside counsel helped me understand what makes a good attorney.
Overall, my experience was truly priceless. As I return to school, I believe that my dual summer experience will enrich my law school learning experience and help me become a better student and attorney.
Eric Foster - 2008 Summer Associate, Cincinnati Office
The Summer Associate Program at Dinsmore & Shohl provided me with a comprehensive view of the legal profession. From the outset, the firm's level of commitment to providing a rewarding summer experience was evident. Dinsmore & Shohl planned a vast array of social events, panel discussions and work opportunities that revealed the firm's depth and breadth. Beyond the mere administrative aspects of the program, there was a high degree of personal commitment throughout the firm.
Senior Partners provided anecdotal perspectives on topics from client development to changes in the legal field. Social events and open door policies enabled me to interact with associates and partners at various stages of their career. Formal mentoring established a means of constant feedback and a perspective of the day-to-day details of associate life. Most importantly, projects came from a variety of practice areas enabling me to gain first hand knowledge of many interesting areas of the law. The confluence of personal interactions and varied projects yielded a complete experience that has helped me to construct a realistic understanding of the skills necessary to build a successful legal practice. This understanding will be invaluable to me as I develop my career in the practice of law.
Crystal Harper - 2008 Summer Associate, Charleston Office
Time certainly flies when you love your job and enjoy working with the people around you. It's hard to believe five weeks have already flown by; however, my summer experience at Dinsmore & Shohl thus far has been amazing to say the least. I could not have wished to work for a better law firm considering the wide array of legal activities in which I have participated both inside and outside the work-place, including depositions, pretrial hearings, and oral arguments to name but a few. Add the amiable work environment and you have the perfect summer experience.
It is apparent that the assignment system at Dinsmore and Shohl is effective. The projects I am assigned carefully match my stated interests thereby giving me great exposure in various areas of practice, resulting in a more meaningful and beneficial experience. In addition, the substantive and constructive feedback I have received on projects from both partners and associates has helped improve my legal research, writing and advocacy skills.
But best of all, I have developed many rewarding relationships with the partners and associates at the law firm. The attorneys and staff are easy to speak with, warm, and friendly. Everyone wants to ensure I have an amazing summer experience and that my questions about the firm and a legal career in general are answered, enabling me to make informed decisions about my future.
Brandon James - 2008 Fall Associate, Cincinnati Office I think we all hear the story that individual attention is lacking at large firms. I thought I would be placed out on an island and would have to sink or swim all alone. I was attracted to Dinsmore because I thought the size would give me a better opportunity to get individualized attention while still working for one of the largest firms in the city.
I was very pleased with the attention I received from Dinsmore & Shohl attorneys. People went out of their way to ask me if I needed help and to include me in the department's activities that weren't part of the summer associate program.
The attorneys helped me find work that interested me. I mentioned that I was interested in corporate work and within hours, I was moved to the corporate department. Once there, the attorneys made sure I knew I could come to them with any questions about the work. They created an environment where I felt comfortable. With my mind at ease, I could concentrate on producing my best work.
Matthew Nakajima - 2008 Fall Associate, Cincinnati OfficeDinsmore & Shohl has a reputation for cultivating the skills of young attorneys and promoting diversity. The firm’s continued involvement with the Black Lawyers Association and its scholarship program for minority law students are marks of distinction. When I was offered a summer associate position, I quickly accepted because I knew Dinsmore & Shohl would provide me with the individual attention and support that I needed to develop as an attorney.
While working as a summer associate, I received hands-on support and guidance. From secretaries to senior partners, everyone was committed to helping me develop the skills and attributes necessary to be a successful attorney. The firm-wide commitment to the growth of young attorneys and the willingness of even senior partners to take time to help others is what separated my experience at Dinsmore & Shohl from my prior position at another firm.
If you walk through the firm, you will find almost every attorney's door open, smiling faces in the hallways, and a friendly, responsive office staff. Dinsmore & Shohl is truly a great place to work and my experience as a summer associate was one of the best times of my life.
Deanna Atchley - Summer Associate, Louisville Office
I honestly didn't know what to expect before I got to Dinsmore & Shohl. In law school, you hear horror stories about law firms with abrasive and impersonal attorneys. Dinsmore & Shohl isn't like that at all. I gained so many practical skills from attorneys at Dinsmore & Shohl, ranging from how to structure the summary of the case in an appellate brief to how to prepare for a deposition. My legal writing and research skills were also sharpened through challenging projects.
I've had two wonderful summers at Dinsmore & Shohl. I am grateful that I was able to become involved in such a wide range of cases in the Louisville office. From prison abuse litigation to personal jurisdiction inquiries, I learned a great deal through my summers at Dinsmore & Shohl.