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Open Door Fund Ambassadors – FAQs

Q. How are students selected for the Open Door Fellowship opportunity?

A. NCBF Open Door Fellows are selected through a competitive application process that is overseen by the NCBF Open Door Committee. The NCBF Open Door Committee is appointed annually by the NCBA+NCBF President. The NCBF Open Door Fellowship Committee includes representation from the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, NCBA Minorities in the Profession Committee, NCBA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee, and NCBF Women in the Profession Committee. The NCBF Open Door Fellowship Committee seeks applications from first-year law students who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion through their activities, background and life experiences, as well as first-year law students who are members of groups that have been historically underrepresented in the legal profession, including first-generation college students and those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. Applicants must be interested in practicing law in North Carolina, be enrolled full-time at an ABA-accredited North Carolina law school, and have a demonstrated commitment to the NCBF’s mission and values. The application window for the summer 2025 NCBF Open Door Fellowship program will open December 1, 2024. The application requirements include:

  • Four short essay questions
    1. Describe what “open doors” means for you and for the legal profession (500 words or less)
    2. Describe any obstacles that you have had to overcome in order to get to this point in your life and career (500 words or less)
    3. Describe why this opportunity would be particularly impactful for you (500 words or less)
    4. Describe your short and longer-term career goals and aspirations, and ways that you anticipate contributing to the North Carolina community of legal professionals as an attorney (500 words or less)
  • Resume
  • Undergraduate transcript (unofficial is acceptable)

Learn more about the NCBF Open Door Fellowship program here.

Q. How are placements selected for the Open Door Fellowship opportunity?

A. The Open Door Fellowship program is overseen by the NCBF Open Door Committee, which is appointed annually by the NCBA+NCBF President. The NCBF Open Door Fellowship Committee includes representation from the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, NCBA Minorities in the Profession Committee, NCBA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee, and NCBF Women in the Profession Committee. Each year the committee identifies a geographic area of focus for the fellowship experience and identifies legal offices in the area that might be an ideal fit for hosting a fellow. The Open Door Fellowship Committee prioritizes Open Door Fellowship placements that have experience with summer interns and an already-established structure for work assignment/review and other support; have other summer interns this summer as well (so that the fellow has a community and extended network of summer colleagues); and are working primarily in-office/in-person and not remotely. The fellowship placements play a crucial role in supporting the Fellows’ professional development, including mentoring the students and inviting them into professional networks.

Q. How is the Open Door Fellowship program different from other firm-hosted or bar-supported diversity programs for law students?

A. As the legal profession in North Carolina grows and its members become increasingly diverse, the NCBF Open Door Fellowship program signals a collective commitment by the North Carolina community of legal professionals to diversity, equity and inclusion and a desire to welcome all who want to serve the people of North Carolina through the legal profession. The NCBF Open Door Fellowship offers participants work experience in a legal setting, but perhaps even more importantly focuses on engaging participants in the larger legal community by inviting Open Door Fellows to engage in networking and professional development through North Carolina Bar Association programs, activities and professional engagements. Open Door Fellowship programming experiences include participating in NCBA Annual Meeting, joining panel programs sponsored by the NCBA Minorities in the Profession Committee, serving in pro bono clinics sponsored by the NCBA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee, and participation as a member of the Executive Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division.

The NCBF Open Door Fellowship program will operate alongside the NCBA Minorities in the Profession Summer Associate Program, and each program will bolster the other to advance the NCBA+NCBF commitment to supporting engagement of new attorneys in the legal profession. Unlike many law firm fellowship programs, which are typically focused on attorney recruitment, the NCBF Open Door Fellowship is focused on embracing young lawyers into North Carolina’s diverse community of legal professionals.

As the NCBF begins to establish an alumni group of Open Door Fund participants, former fellows will continue to be invited into networking and professional development programming that will help bolster and advance their career development over time, including involvement in the NCBA Young Lawyers Division and regular participation in NCBA Annual Meeting.

Q. In light of ongoing policy discussions within firms, schools and other entities regarding diversity, equity and inclusion programming, what is the best way for us to describe the purpose and function of the Open Door Fellowship program when we speak with potential donors?

A. The North Carolina Bar Association and North Carolina Bar Foundation are committed to recognizing, respecting, promoting and encouraging diversity in the legal community. As part of their ongoing commitment to address inequities in access to legal services and participation in the legal profession experienced by historically excluded or disadvantaged individuals and communities in North Carolina, these two organizations are proud to support the NCBF Open Door Fellowship. As the legal profession in North Carolina grows and its members become increasingly diverse, this flagship program signals a collective commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and a desire to welcome all who want to serve the people of North Carolina through the legal profession.

We seek applications from first-year law students who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion through their activities, background and life experiences, as well as first-year law students who are members of groups that have been historically underrepresented in the legal profession, including first-generation college students and those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.

Q. Why an Endowment Fund?

A. The NCBF Endowment holds a number of funds that are restricted to support of specific initiatives and programs, including the NCBF Open Door Fund. By endowing the Open Door commitment, the NCBF ensures support for the Open Door Fellowship and other diversity, equity and inclusion programming of the NCBA+NCBF into the future. Once the NCBF Open Door Fund reaches its $1million goal, the annual 3.75% distribution will help pay the costs of the annual Open Door Fellowship program including stipends for the students, attendance at NCBA Annual Meeting, and professional development programming. Until the NCBF Open Door Fund reaches its goal, the NCBF continues to fund the Open Door Fellowship program out of its operating budget, which is supported through gifts to the NCBF Annual Fund.

Q. Can I honor a colleague with a Named Justice Fund while directing support to the Open Door Fund?

A. Yes! An NCBF Justice Fund may be established with a $50,000 commitment and set up in the name of a North Carolina legal professional. Learn more here. A Justice Fund honoree is recognized as part of an annual dedication event once the Foundation has received at least 50% of the fund’s minimum commitment in cash gifts; the balance of the fund may be established through pledges paying out over no more than five years.