Aug. 7, 2024 – Learning how to be a lawyer and exploring unknown areas of law – these are hallmark experiences for the rising 2L law students working as law clerks in the State Bar of Wisconsin’s 2024
Diversity Clerkship Program.
Last month, the State Bar celebrated the clerks and employers of this year’s program. The program matches first-year law students of all backgrounds with legal offices for a 10-week summer clerkship. The program is competitive – in 2024, the program received 46 applications for 23 positions.
The clerks and employers celebrated the program and their successes at a reception July 18, 2024, at the State Bar Center in Madison.
Over its 32-year history, the Diversity Clerkship program has facilitated 89 employers working with 608 law clerks.
This year, 21 employers provided law students with paid summer internships, including the Madison firm Bell Moore & Richter, S.C.
“We have consistently gotten great law clerks from this program, and this is the main reason we have returned year after year,” said Patricia Putney, an attorney with the firm. “I think the screening process by the State Bar is excellent, so every candidate selected to participate is top-notch and always very eager to learn.”
“Our firm also likes to expose the clerks to our unique practice areas, which they may not otherwise get to explore.”
Bell Moore & Richter have participated in the program since 2019. “All firms and all employers, in my opinion, should embrace inclusivity and provide opportunities to diverse students, whether that diversity is comprised of economic disparity, first-generation law students, historically underrepresented groups and more. Diversity is a positive – for everyone!” said Putney.
Tom Wilson (left) and Barbra Klug (right) of Kohler pose for the photo with their clerk, Tara O’Donnell.
The Clerks’ Experience
Working at the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Civil Litigation Unit, has provided law student Tori Baranowski with a clear picture of what it is like to work in the legal profession. “The research I’ve done and the feedback I’ve received has been instrumental in guiding me towards what I want to do – they’ve convinced me to be a litigator,” she said.
Shannon Green is communications writer for the State Bar of Wisconsin, Madison. She can be reached by
email or by phone at (608) 250-6135.
Tamara Hyman, who clerked with the Dane County Corporation Counsel, gained experience in preparing for jury trials, getting matters on the record, and asking the judge to grant or deny motions directly, she said. “All of that has been everything and more than I could have asked for, in a first-year summer internship.”
Matthew Iverson said clerking for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections “changed my perspective on practicing law,” including the work difference in a government agency as opposed to a large litigation firm.
For first-generation law student Nuha McDiarmid, getting matched with GE Healthcare meant exploring an area of law she wasn’t familiar with: in-house counsel. “I didn’t really know what to expect going in. I was really nervous, but I had a wonderful experience.”
In clerking with the Madison City Attorney’s Office, Nicholas Orihuela “immediately felt welcomed and appreciated.” With all the lawyers in the office as his mentors, Orihuela’s experience included writing a memo to the Madison Common Council and drafting an ordinance that the council passed. The connections he has made will “go beyond just the 10-week program,” he said.
Carlos Puga, who clerked with Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, noted the adage that law school teaches how to think like a lawyer. His experience during his clerkship at Stafford Rosenbaum taught him how to be a lawyer. “I am forever grateful for Stafford giving me the opportunity to start my legal career here in Wisconsin.”
Clerk Parker Jorenby (left) poses with Patricia Putney of Bell Moore & Richter, S.C.
What the Employers Say: Participation is ‘an Honor’
Here are a few comments from the employers, about the program and their clerks:
“Church Mutual’s participation in the State Bar’s Diversity Clerkship is an honor to continue to foster and grow our legal community with meaningful summer experiences for 1L students. The students who are selected to participate in this program are outstanding each year.” – Melissa Fitzgerald, Church Mutual Insurance Company
“We were extremely fortunate to have matched with Tamara Hyman. She came into our office already possessing some of the necessary legal skills required to succeed and had a strong interest in government service. She has been a wonderful addition to the team.” – Carlos Pabellon, Dane County Corporate Counsel
“The clerks we host through the program consistently perform at a high level. Nick Orihuela has made real contributions to the office.” – Michael Haas, Madison City Attorney’s Office
“Manitowoc is happy to participate in the State Bar Diversity Clerkship Program for a second year. All of the students that we interviewed had impressive backgrounds. We value the great work and perspective that Cora Purdue contributes to the Manitowoc team.” – Andy Barragry, The Manitowoc Company
“Andrew Pietroske, with just one year of legal education, quickly became a valued and integral member of the office. He was an awesome addition to our office this summer.” – Jennifer Williams, Milwaukee City Attorney’s Office
“We were once again pleased to participate in the Diversity Clerkship Program, and we’ve been thrilled to welcome Tenzin Kaldhen into our department for the summer. Tenzin has enthusiastically taken on assignments involving a wide range of complex subject matters and has approached that work with diligence and focus.” – Andrew McClean of Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company
“It has been great to participate again in the State Bar’s Diversity Clerkship program, and a big thanks to our clerk, Ivan Moreno, and the team at the State Bar for coordinating!” – Bill Foley, TruStage
Emma Shakeshaft (left) of the ACLU of Wisconsin high-fives her clerk, Taylor Mundt.
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Law Foundation
The Diversity Clerkship Program reception is funded by a generous grant from the
Wisconsin Law Foundation, the charitable arm of the State Bar of Wisconsin. Find out more about the Foundation’s programs by visiting
wisbar.org/wlf.
Special Thanks to Our 2024 Employers
- ACLU of Wisconsin
- Bell Moore & Richter SC
- Church Mutual Insurance Company
- Dane County Corporation Counsel
- GE Healthcare
- Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, P.C.
- Keyes & Fox LLP
- Kohler Co.
- Madison City Attorney’s Office
- The Manitowoc Company
- Milwaukee City Attorney’s Office
- Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
- Office of Lawyer Regulation
- Ohiku Law Office
- Quartz Health Solutions
- Regal Rexnord Corporation
- Robert W. Baird & Co
- Stafford Rosenbaum, LLP
- TruStage
- Wisconsin Department of Corrections
- Wisconsin Department of Justice – Criminal Appeals Unit
- Wisconsin Department of Justice – Litigation Unit
- Wisconsin Department of Justice – Public Protection Unit
Nicholas Woods (center), who clerked with Wisconsin Department of Justice in the Criminal Appeals Department, poses with State Bar Past President Dean Dietrich (left) and Saveon Grenell, a member of the State Bar Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Committee (right).
