Melo “Mel” Augustine, Shereena Kamal and Jessica Morales from the Class of 2024 will take part this summer in a North Carolina Bar Association enterprise that encourages and promotes diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
Three top Elon Law students in their first year of study have been selected for a highly competitive internship program established by the North Carolina Bar Association to promote and support diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
Melo “Mel” Augustine L’24, Shereena Kamal L’24 and Jessica Morales L’24 were selected for the 1L Summer Associate Program created by the NCBA’s Minorities in the Profession Committee to provide influential corporations and law firms in North Carolina with an avenue for recruiting for summer internships some of the best underrepresented students from each of North Carolina’s law schools.
It is the eighth year in a row that at least three Elon Law students have secured such placements.
Melo “Mel” Augustine
Placement: Civic Federal Credit Union
Alma Mater: Wake Forest University
Undergraduate Major: Politics & International Affairs
Hometown: Greensboro, N.C.
“Interning with in-house counsel is a unique opportunity that I am grateful to have received. I aim to make the most of my law school career by exploring as many fields as possible, and an internship with Civic Federal Credit Union is a wonderful start. I hope to learn more about the exciting nature of in-house work and to further develop my skills as a researcher, critical thinker, and problem-solver.”
Shereena Kamal
Placement: Lawyers Mutual Liability Insurance Company of North Carolina
Alma Mater: North Carolina State University
Undergraduate Major: Political Science
Hometown: Lexington, N.C.
“Being selected to take part in the Minorities in the Profession program is a huge honor. Participating in this program was a goal of mine coming into my 1L year. As a first-generation American and law student, I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to be a part of a program that boosts diversity in the legal field. I hope to learn and develop new skills that I can utilize both as a student and as a future lawyer.”
Jessica Morales
Placement: K&L Gates LLP
Alma Mater: Wake Forest University
Undergraduate Major: Sociology
Hometown: Winston-Salem, N.C.
“It has been an honor to have been chosen for this program and as a 1L, and first-generation student, I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to work with K&L Gates LLP. I am excited to be a part of a law firm that values a collaborative and diverse work environment to provide the best counsel to their clients. I hope to continue learning and absorbing as much as I can from this position.”
The NCBA Minorities in the Profession Committee solicits applications from all North Carolina law schools. Schools invite students who identify as a minority to submit an application, which consists of a resume, transcript, writing sample and a statement that addresses how the applicant will contribute to diversification of the North Carolina State Bar.
Elon Law identifies select students to take part in NCBA interviews. Students interview with potential employers and at the conclusion of those interviews, employers selected one or more candidates to work as a summer associate.
“Mel, Shereena and Jessica continue a wonderful tradition established at Elon Law for students who have excelled in their studies and show significant leadership potential in the legal profession,” said Assistant Dean Stacie Dooley, who leads the law school’s Office of Career and Student Development. “Without a doubt, all three will bring a depth of knowledge and a work ethic that promises to benefit the missions of each employer. And I’m equally excited to see what our students bring back to Elon Law having gained valuable insights into the legal profession through this important career opportunity.”