“Diversity pays. Working with a diverse group of people is not only stimulating and enjoyable, it also creates new opportunities for challenging and interesting work.”  

- William T. Coleman, Jr.

William T. Coleman, Jr. (1920 - 2017), a longtime senior partner and indelible part of O’Melveny’s fabric, served the legal profession and his country for more than 50 years. A tireless advocate for equality and a key player in the landmark Supreme Court civil rights case Brown v. Board of Education, Coleman urged young lawyers to cultivate their cultural literacy and pay close attention to events unfolding on the world stage. To honor that vision and spirit, O’Melveny created the William T. Coleman, Jr. Diversity Fellowship for second year law students in his memory.

O’Melveny seeks to not only hire lawyers of diverse backgrounds but also to hire individuals who share our vision of a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive legal profession. Our Fellowship is for individuals with a proven track record of activities that promote civil rights, social justice, and/or diversity, equity, and inclusion, including professional employment, internships, volunteer positions, student group memberships, leadership roles, and academic coursework and performance.

The Fellowship

Each Coleman 2L Fellow is eligible for an award up to $50,000 to be paid in phases:

1)  $25,000 of the award will be paid upon joining our summer program as a 2L summer associate; and
2)  an additional $25,000 payment will be awarded upon returning as a new associate.

Further information will be shared once available.

How to Apply

The 2L Coleman Fellowship application process will be open from April 15 to August 15. Further information will be shared once available.