Mission Statement
The Attorneys of Color and Diversity Committee of MELA works towards increasing and maintaining the number of attorneys from historically marginalized groups (particularly attorneys of color) within the plaintiff’s/employee-side employment bar in Massachusetts, supporting attorneys and law students from historically marginalized groups who are interested in this career path, and contributing to their well-being and professional success.
To this end, the Committee prioritizes (1) promoting the participation of MELA-supportive firms and attorneys in the hiring of, outreach to, and mentorship of attorneys and law students from historically marginalized groups; and (2) training for MELA members to increase awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the workplace and to further address biases in legal representation and in the workplace. The Committee is also dedicated to fostering stronger partnerships within the rest of the Massachusetts bar, including but not limited to affinity bar associations.
MELA Employee Justice Fellowship
For the first time, MELA is sponsoring a summer fellowship for law students. MELA is committed to engaging with law students and encouraging students to join the plaintiffs’ employment bar. In service of this mission, we will be partnering with member firms with the goal of selecting two law students for the summer of 2024. The internship requires students to have an interest in employee-side labor and employment law, specifically employee rights and civil rights.
Each student accepted will be placed with a MELA-affiliated law firm and can expect to work on a range of substantive employment law issues, including legal research and writing, and assisting with discovery. MELA will provide additional mentoring and training opportunities focusing on the basics of practicing employment law in Massachusetts, as well as social and networking opportunities with MELA attorneys.
The application process for interested students and firms is currently closed. If you are interested in participating, please direct all inquiries to nbohra@bennettandbelfort.com, or gbogin-farber@segalroitman.com.
**Students of color and from historically marginalized communities and backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply, and we welcome all applicants.**
Past Events
March 1, 2023
Careers in Plaintiffs' Employment Law: a panel discussion and networking event (co-sponsored by the Mass. Black Women Attorneys)
April 15, 2021
The Nuts and Bolts of Advocating for Employee Rights