Dating back to 2012, Cadwalader has participated in a diversity pipeline program with Legal Outreach and NJ LEEP through which high school students have the opportunity to intern at some of New York’s and New Jersey’s top law firms, public interest organizations, and financial institutions, as well as to work directly with judges for up to five weeks during the summer before their sophomore year of high school. Students gain valuable work experience and a unique exposure to the practice of law.

This past July, Cadwalader attorneys were invited by colleagues at Barclays for a one-hour presentation to seven high school students from NJ LEEP in a virtual internship program. In return, we invited Barclays to join us in our internship program with six students – four from Legal Outreach and two from NJ LEEP. Both programs were a big hit with the students!

The students typically would join us in the office but, due to COVID-19, this is the second consecutive year that we have had to host a virtual program. The students met with associates, partners, and staff, worked on a Not-for-Profit Incubator practice assignment (which they presented at the end of program), and learned more about the various careers in law and how law firms operate.