Inclusion and diversity are core values at Bradley. Bradley is committed to supporting a variety of pipeline diversity initiatives directed at recruiting diverse lawyers. In addition to recruiting events, sponsorships, and partnerships, Bradley awards two annual Diversity Scholarships to law students from backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession.
In addition, Bradley engages in significant efforts to promote a diverse and inclusive workforce and culture at the firm. The firm’s efforts include hosting a summer intern program for minority college students and regularly organizing, hosting and participating in programs, seminars and panels aimed at increasing the participation of women and minorities in the legal profession.
For additional information on Inclusion & Diversity at Bradley, please visit the Inclusion & Diversity section of our website.
For more information on any of the programs below or if you have any additional questions, please contact Lee Tonsmeire, Recruiting Manager, at 205.521.8000 or ltonsmeire@bradley.com.
Bradley’s commitment to diversity is not just a passive ideal, but an active effort allowing us to build a team comprised of broadly diverse backgrounds and experiences. As part of our active commitment to enhancing our diversity, each year we offer two Diversity Scholarships to promote the education of well-qualified law students from backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession. We award scholarships of up to $5,000 to first-year students and up to $10,000 to second-year students who are committed to broadening the diversity of voices in the legal profession and within our firm.
Scholarship recipients are required to clerk in one of Bradley’s offices for at least six weeks during the summer after the scholarship is awarded. (We will do our best to honor the scholarship recipient’s first choice for office placement but maintain the right to make the final decision.)
Students interested in applying for the scholarship should submit:
In addition to academic qualifications, we may consider other factors, including, but not limited to, involvement in community activities, financial need, significant work, and personal achievements.
NOTE: Bradley does not accept email applications. You must complete the online summer associate application and include the supplemental PDF personal statement to be considered for the diversity scholarship.
As a member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), Bradley works to recruit and hire summer associates from the LCLD Scholar Program for first-year law students. Founded in 2009, LCLD has more than 300 members, including general counsel of major corporations and managing partners of the nation's leading law firms, who challenge the legal profession to prepare future generations of diverse talent for the highest positions of leadership.
Anyone hired as a 1L summer associate through this program will also have the opportunity to participate in the LCLD 1L Scholars Annual Summit, which will be held virtually starting on May 23-25, 2023.
As part of Bradley’s commitment to recruiting diverse attorneys, the firm is partnering with the Diverse Attorney Pipeline Program (DAPP) by hiring a first-year, women of color law student through DAPP Direct to participate in our 2023 Summer Program. DAPP Direct is a job placement and career-readiness program focused on expanding opportunities for women of color law students by securing summer positions at law firms and corporations following their first year of law school. Eligible law students must complete an application and submit their materials through DAPP Direct.
Bradley regularly participates in diversity-focused recruiting events. Some examples include: