The Richard Mintz Diversity Scholarship

At Mintz, we strive to create an environment where people from all backgrounds are positioned for success. As part of our commitment to promoting diversity at the firm, and in the legal profession, we have awarded diversity scholarships to exemplary diverse law students each year since 2010. The scholarships are given to community-minded law students from diverse backgrounds who have shown academic excellence and commitment to diversity. Its namesake, Richard Mintz (1921 – 2011), the firm’s longest serving partner and the son of a founding partner, was known for his passion for people and his commitment to creating a progressive workplace.

Each summer we host first-year students in our Summer Associate program as Richard Mintz Diversity Fellows. Our 1L Summer Associates participate in the same enriching summer program described below, with the additional benefit of working directly with a Mintz client and as Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) 1L Scholars. 1L Summer Associates spend a significant period of time, generally one to three weeks, working with a Mintz client’s in-house legal team. In past years, students have worked with clients such as LPL Financial, Johnson & Johnson, and Citizens. A lawyer in the client’s in house legal team also serves as a mentor for the 1L Summer Associate, during their summer and beyond.

Opportunities are available for students interested in working in our Litigation, Corporate, and Intellectual Property sections. Students select their practice area of preference and are immersed in the section during the summer. 

The 1L program is offered exclusively out of our Boston office.  Students that return as 2Ls or as First Year Associates have opportunity to explore other Mintz office locations. 

Program Details & Benefits

  • Fellows will be fully integrated into Mintz’s 9-week summer program and compensated at Mintz’s standard summer associate salary
  • Fellows with be paired with a client of the firm for one-three weeks to gain exposure to a client in-house legal team
  • 1L Fellows will have opportunity to participate in programming put on by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
  • Each 1L Diversity Fellow is eligible to receive a return offer to Mintz for their 2L summer and then, subsequently, as a First Year Associate. Scholarship funds are available at each of these junctures totaling up to $30,000.
  • Fellows that return as 2Ls will have access to a DE&I programming series about succeeding as a First Year Associate 

Please check back in late December 2024 for information on applying for the summer of 2025.

Past Recipients

Angie Isaza-Loaiza Headshot

Angie Isaza-Loaiza (Corporate)

One of the things that makes working at Mintz so special is the ability to work directly with clients and attorneys at all levels from the moment you start. I believe the firm fosters a culture where attorneys feel empowered and are given great responsibility early on. Mintz is also special because as part of our professional development, the firm encourages us to give back to our communities through pro bono opportunities, which as a first generation student is important to me.

Ahuja Keshav Headshot

Keshav Ahuja (Litigation)

Mintz understands that developing a culture of that embraces diversity, mentorship, and growth is a constant work in progress and that there are always new and innovative ways to develop attorneys. During my time at the firm, Mintz has fostered my professional development by providing me with guidance from excellent attorneys, recurring training on best practices, and hands-on experiences even as a junior associate. At the same time, the firm has shown that it values diversity and creating a welcoming environment for lawyers of various backgrounds.

Ric Lampkins Professional Headshot Mintz

Ric Lampkins (Corporate)

The summer I spent at Mintz was the foundation of my experience here. Even as a summer associate, I was given the opportunity to work on matters of consequence, receive detailed feedback, and generally get a real sense of what life as an associate would be like, both as a new lawyer as well as an attorney of color. Now, as a first-year associate, I’ve realized that my summer experience was not an outlier. I’ve felt supported by everyone from partners to paralegals to project analysts, and the collaborative attitude towards the work has made the transition that much easier. Beyond that, having an affinity group like MIATTY, where associates and partners have been dedicated to my success as an attorney of color, has been instrumental in me developing my place at the firm and helping me find my voice.

Richard_Mintz
My father and his partners took their responsibility very seriously — to build a firm that was inclusive and progressive in terms of its approach to diversity.

Richard Mintz (1921 – 2011)Mintz Member for 57 years