THE CLDC
Established in 2006, the Charlotte Legal Diversity Clerkship (CLDC) program operates with one basic goal—to improve diversity in the Mecklenburg County Bar by attracting top first-year law students with diverse backgrounds to Charlotte through corporate and law firm summer internships. To date, the CLDC program has hosted 173 students from law schools around the country. The CLDC program has a strong Charlotte alumni base and continues to grow each year by clerks either returning for 2L summer employment opportunities or as full-time attorneys.
APPLICATION
The CLDC 2024 application, for law students graduating in Spring 2026, is closed.
Application dates for law students graduating in Spring 2027 will be released Fall 2024.
Click Here for the 2024 CLDC Application Flyer
CLDC clerks are selected from across the country as part of a very competitive selection process. Each applicant provides a cover letter, a resume highlighting legal and undergraduate academic achievements and other professional experiences and grades, along with a statement explaining how the applicant would contribute to creating a more diverse and inclusive legal community in Charlotte. The initial applicant pool is then narrowed down and interviewed by representatives from the participating CLDC firms and corporations. From there, the clerks selected then become part of the Charlotte Legal Diversity Clerkship program.
Eligibility:
- First-year law school student
- Strong academic performance
- Personal statement that explains how the applicant will contribute to creating a more diverse and inclusive legal community in Charlotte (click here for MCB's Statement on Diversity)
INTERVIEW & OFFER PROCESS
Employers will work directly with students to schedule and conduct interviews from February 1 through February 9. Employers during this time will be able to send candidates offers for the 2024 CLDC program year and candidates will have a minimum of THREE days to decide whether to accept or decline the offer.
PARTICIPATING LAW FIRMS AND LEGAL DEPARTMENTS
The clerkship is a minimum of 10 weeks in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area with time split between a law firm and a corporate legal department. Start and end dates are determined by the law firm and corporation. Clerks are expected to commit to the full 10 weeks as part of the CLDC program.
Employer Partnerships and Descriptions for 2024:
Firm Partner | Corporate Partner | |
1 | Alston & Bird | Honeywell |
2 | Bradley | Bank of America |
3 | Katten | Nuveen |
4 | McGuireWoods | Wells Fargo |
5 | Littler | RXO |
6 | Mayer Brown | Equitable |
7 | Moore & Van Allen | Lowe's |
8 | Moore & Van Allen | Brighthouse Financial |
9 | Parker Poe | Duke Energy |
10 | Poyner Spruill | Novant Health |
11 | Robinson Bradshaw | Atrium Health |
12 | Lowe's | McGuireWoods |
13 | Wells Fargo | Mayer Brown |
15 | Womble Bond | SPX Corporation |
COMPENSATION
Each employer will set the compensation for its clerk.
HOUSING
Selected clerks are responsible for securing proper housing during their summer in Charlotte; however, the CLDC program is happy to provide resources and recommendations on housing options. Some firm representatives may have additional resources or provide subsidized housing during the summer.
TRANSPORTATION
Selected clerks are responsible for securing appropriate transportation to satisfy work and program requirements during the summer.
SUMMER PROGRAM
Candidates selected to the CLDC program will start on the day required of them by their employer. The CLDC will host weekly events on Wednesday evenings throughout the program except during the week of July 4. One or two judicial luncheons may also be scheduled. CLDC events consist of a kickoff and closing reception, networking luncheons and dinners, tours, community service, and events with CLDC alumni. Clerks will be provided with a calendar of events prior to coming to Charlotte for the summer. Clerks will also have the opportunity to attend events hosted by other employers and we will provide information as employers let us know.
An additional benefit of being a CLDC clerk is the opportunity to participate in 2L applications/interviews with participating law firms at the end of the summer. More information will be provided to clerks throughout the summer.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about the CLDC program, employers, or the application process, please email cldc@meckbar.org.
ABOUT CHARLOTTE
Charlotte is a wonderful city in which to live and practice law. It is the thriving center of the nation's fifth largest urban region. Here are just some of the reasons to choose Charlotte:
Charlotte is one of the nation's premier business and financial centers.
During the past 10 years, 8,076 new firms have invested $9.9 billion in new Charlotte facilities. Charlotte's nine Fortune 500 company headquarters place it sixth nationally, and 306 of the Fortune 500 companies have facilities here. With more than $1.8 trillion in assets, Charlotte is the second largest financial center in the nation, behind only New York. By comparison, Atlanta has assets of only $175 billion and Miami $0.8 billion. More than 447 foreign-owned companies have Charlotte facilities, reflecting Charlotte's increasing prominence as a center of international business. See CharlotteRegion.com to learn more.
Residential and business growth in the Center City and beyond is fast paced. Charlotte's market offers many choices in housing - from modern Center City condominiums to lake homes and historic area neighborhoods. While ever increasing the number and variety of housing choices, Charlotte remains a city in which newly-arrived residents are able to purchase homes and set down roots immediately.
Charlotte is among the "Hot Cities" for Entrepreneurs.
Business opportunities in Charlotte are not limited to Fortune 500 corporations. Charlotte's positive business environment serves as a springboard for new companies, large and small.
Charlotte boasts one of the nation's leading arts scenes.
Thanks to Charlotte's public private partnerships and the community's generous support of arts, science and history, Charlotte is now a cultural model for cities across the country. Charlotte is home to the Arts & Science Council, the second largest local arts agency in the nation. Charlotte is also home to several award-winning and cutting edge museums, including the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Levine Museum of the New South, Mint Museum, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts & Culture, and the Charlotte Museum of History. Its cultural offerings also include the McColl Center for the Visual Art, Charlotte Symphony, Discovery Place, Light Factory, Carolina Raptor Center, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, and the list goes on.
With our Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, Charlotte Knights, Charlotte Checkers, Charlotte FC, PGA Wells Fargo Golf Championship, NASCAR's Charlotte Motor Speedway, US National Whitewater Center, and NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte offers something for everyone!
Living in Charlotte offers the opportunity to enjoy both beach and mountain vacations. You can leave your house after breakfast and be sitting on a beach or hiking a mountain by lunch. To our east, Charlotteans regularly enjoy the convenience of easy access to dozens of beaches from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to the Charleston, South Carolina area. And to our west, Grandfather Mountain, Pisgah National Forest, Biltmore Estate, and other highlights of the Blue Ridge and Great Smokey Mountains are just a short drive away.
Charlotte's moderate climate offers four beautiful seasons.
One of Charlotte's greatest assets is its climate, with four distinct seasons and temperate summers and winters. Charlotte residents enjoy vibrant spring foliage and beautiful fall colors - and even an occasional snowfall. Outdoor sports are played nearly year-round.