Thank you to all our AOIP Donors and Firm Participants
The Advancing Opportunity Internship Program (AOIP) was established in 2010 to provide traditionally underrepresented law students with the opportunity to obtain practical experience in the legal profession and gain exposure to the Palm Beach County legal community while working with local law firms and government agencies. Prior to 2010, the program was known as the Minority Law Clerk Program and focused on providing students with historically disadvantaged backgrounds legal work experience. In expanding the program, the Palm Beach County Bar Association and Committee for Diversity and Inclusion intend that AOIP interns will not only gain valuable work experience, but learn why Palm Beach County is a great place to practice law by visiting our federal and state courts, voluntary bar associations, and law firms; networking with recent law school graduates, more experienced local attorneys, and members of the judiciary, and exploring opportunities for future employment—continuing our broader goal of creating an inclusive Bar Association that reflects the richness of Palm Beach County and the larger community.
Since its creation, law firms from many different practice areas and many different sizes have participated as employers. Federal and state judges and state and local government agencies also have participated and employed AOIP interns. While future employment is not guaranteed, some previous AOIP interns have secured permanent employment due to their participation in the program. All of our interns finish the program with innumerable contacts in the Palm Beach County legal market. Many AOIP interns ultimately choose to relocate to Palm Beach County upon graduation and have become active members of the Bar Association. We invite each Florida law school to promote our program and have their students participate in this year’s Advancing Opportunities Internship Program.
Student and Employer Applications may be downloaded using the links below. Law firms that want to participate, but are unable to offer an internship position at their own firm, may still support the AOIP through other means. This includes making a financial donation that will sponsor a student’s expenses and travel or provide a salary for an intern employed by a judge or government agency. Law students, law firms, and government agencies that are interested in participating in this year’s AOIP should contact Co-Chairs:
You may make a donation to this program by clicking here.
