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The Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys (“VADA”) is offering a $3,000 stipend for a diverse law student who pursues summer employment or an internship with a Virginia firm or legal organization involved in civil litigation defense. ln addition to providing financial support, the VADA works with the selected firm or organization to help prepare the student for a career in civil defense. Also, the VADA will help foster the development of formal and informal networks for the selected student.

The VADA supports the development and training of a diverse population of law students. Diversity includes age, sex, gender identity, race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and veteran status. VADA also will consider whether the individual is the first family member to attend college and from an economically disadvantaged family. Funded by VADA membership, this VADA program seeks to develop talented law students and attract them to civil defense work to ensure a diverse workforce is available to assume leadership roles in their firms and in the legal profession as a whole.

Diverse students attending Virginia law schools or law students are encouraged to apply by April 15th. Students do not need to have a summer position to apply. lf a student does not have a summer position, VADA will seek to match the student with a firm specializing in southwestern civil litigation defense.

Students should provide a resume and a brief personal statement along with their expected summer employment. lf you already have a summer position, please provide a brief statement regarding how your expected employment relates to civil litigation defense. If you do not have a summer position, please state in what geographic area of Virginia you plan to reside during the summer.

The following is a list of summer positions that may qualify for the stipend:

  • Clerkship with a law firm that specializes in civil litigation defense
  • lnternship with a company where the position includes exposure to civil litigation defense
  • lnternship with a 501 (c)(3) entity involved with civil litigation defense
  • lnternship with a government agency involved in civil litigation defense

lnterested students should submit an application by email to:
Sherma Mather, Executive Director
Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys (VADA)
smather@vada.org

You may contact Ms. Mather by email or telephone at 804-649-1002 with any questions.
Students are encouraged to apply by April 15.