Munger, Tolles & Olson offers a 1L summer associate program for diverse law students. The program is named in memory of the firm’s partner, Jay M. Fujitani, who was a strong advocate for diversity in the legal profession.
Program Description
1L Fujitani Scholars are full participants in the MTO summer associate program. 1L Scholars are given meaningful work to provide them with a realistic sense of law practice at our firm. They work closely with attorneys in our various practice areas and are encouraged to participate in firm life through our weekly attorney lunches, training programs, social events and practice group meetings.
Recognizing that first-year law students have one year less academic experience, 1L Scholars receive enhanced mentoring to ensure they have a productive summer, including a fully paid opportunity to attend the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s 1L Summit Program.
Compensation & Scholarship
1L Scholars are paid the same weekly salary as our 2L and 3L summer program participants ($4,135 per week). Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP recognizes the achievements of, and supports the pipeline for outstanding law students from diverse backgrounds and will award 1L Scholars with a scholarship of $5,000 (less applicable taxes and withholdings), which will be paid after the student begins employment.
Secondment Opportunity
1L Scholars are given the option to choose a secondment where they will work for up to four weeks: (1) at a law-related non-profit organization of their choice, or (2) in the legal department of one of a select roster of current MTO clients. Those electing this option will receive their weekly salary from the firm throughout the duration of the secondment. Secondees must work at MTO for a minimum of seven weeks, and that time combined with their secondment, may not exceed twelve weeks.
Touchbacks
Upon successful completion of the Jay Fujitani 1L Diversity Summer Program, 1L Scholars will be considered for a touchback. Those who receive a touchback offer will be given the option to spend all or a portion of their 2L summer in the Munger, Tolles & Olson Los Angeles office.
An entire summer is considered to be a minimum of seven and a maximum of ten weeks. Those electing this option will also be awarded the full $15,000 (less applicable taxes and withholdings) of the first installment of our 2L Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship. Those who elect to spend a portion of their 2L summer at MTO will be required to spend a minimum of three and a maximum of four weeks at the firm, and will be awarded a pro-rated installment of our 2L Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship, based on the number of weeks spent as a 2L summer associate at the firm.
All 2L touchback summer associates will be paid the same weekly salary as other participants in our summer associate program and will be eligible to be considered for a full-time offer to return to the firm after graduation or upon completion of a judicial clerkship. The balance of our 2L Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship ($10,000, less applicable taxes and withholdings) is contingent upon receiving a full-time associate offer and will be paid when the Scholar joins the firm.
Available Positions
Our 2023 1L Scholar positions will be offered in our Los Angeles and San Francisco offices.
Program Requirements
1L Scholars are required to spend a minimum of seven weeks at the firm. Those who would like to spend their entire summer at the firm may stay a maximum of ten weeks in either our Los Angeles or San Francisco offices. 1L Scholars also have the flexibility to choose a secondment opportunity (details above) or may choose to split their summer with another firm. Those who choose to split their summer with another firm must commit to completing the seven week requirement at MTO during the first half of their summer.
All applicants must be first-year law students in good standing pursuing a JD at an ABA-accredited law school. Successful candidates will have a record of academic achievement, employment, and community service indicating great potential to excel in the legal profession and to contribute to the diversity of Munger Tolles and the legal community. In the past, candidates have included members of racial or ethnic minority groups, first-generation college or law school students, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ students and students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.
Application Process
Applications for our 2023 Summer Program have closed. To be notified when applications open for our 2024 Jay Fujitani 1L Diversity Summer Program, please click here!
Applications should include the following:
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*Law school transcript;
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Undergraduate transcript;
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Contact information for two references; and
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Personal statement (500 words or less) addressing what you believe demonstrates your qualifications for the 1L Jay Fujitani Diversity Summer Program, including potentially, a description of your exceptional contributions, through community service or otherwise, to the cause of diversity; and/or how you have overcome adversity and have demonstrated the tenacity and talent to excel in the legal profession; and/or a description of your academic and personal strengths indicating potential to excel in the legal profession while contributing to the diversity of the legal community.
Opportunities to Learn & Network
Early in the 1L recruitment season, we will host a First-Generation panel. The goal of the panel will be to better prepare first-generation law students with what they should expect during the 1L recruiting season, as well as what they can expect during their 1L summer opportunity. Please click here if you would like to be notified of the details once they are finalized.
Pursuant to local ordinances, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP is an equal opportunity employer.
If you have any questions, please email us at Diversity@mto.com.