Ahmed Mohamed, Chris Tarpley and Tyrra Walker - members of Elon Law’s Class of 2019 - accepted distinguished work placements as part of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Minorities in the Profession 1L Summer Associate Program.
Three top Elon University School of Law students were selected for premiere internship opportunities this summer through a North Carolina Bar Association program that fosters an increased presence of minorities in the legal profession.
Ahmed Mohamed, Chris Tarpley and Tyrra Walker will participate in the NCBA’s Minorities in the Profession 1L Summer Associate Program, which is coordinated through the association’s Minorities in the Profession Committee.
It is the second year in a row that three Elon Law students have secured such placements.
The summer associate program “provides corporate legal departments and major law firms in North Carolina with a recruiting vehicle through which to interview and offer summer internship positions to 1L minority law students from each of North Carolina’s law schools.”
Ahmed Mohamed
Placement: The Fresh Market (Greensboro)
B.A., Pennsylvania State University
"I wanted to be a part of the Minorities in the Profession program to represent Elon Law and the leadership that Elon prides itself on. I'm excited about the opportunity to work for a corporation that truly cares about its customers and to pave the way for future Elon Law students to be a part of this experience."
William "Chris" Tarpley '17
Placement: Smith Moore Leatherwood (Greensboro)
B.S, Elon University
Career interest: Business law, entertainment law and intellectual property
"It is a great honor to be a part of the NCBA’s Minorities in the Profession 1L Summer Associate Program. I pursued this program because of the opportunity to not only gain experience interviewing with employers but to also promote diversity in North Carolina’s legal field."
Tyrra Walker
Placement: GlaxoSmithKline
B.A., Spelman College
Career interest: Healthcare law
"The Minorities in the Profession Summer Associate Program is an unparalleled opportunity that highlights the efforts related to diversity and inclusion at some of North Carolina's most prominent law firms and companies. I chose to pursue this program because I too believe in actively promoting and embracing diversity within the legal profession. As a result of the program, I hope to continue to grow in the profession by way of experiential learning this summer."
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 diversity statement concerning how the applicant will contribute to diversification of the North Carolina State Bar.
An Elon Law panel identified select students to take part in an NCBA interview day at Smith Anderson in Raleigh. Each student interviewed with each potential employer in a day of round robin interviews. At the conclusion of the interview program, each employer selects one or more candidates to work as a summer associate.
"For the second consecutive year, Elon Law students have made an impressive showing at the Minorities in the Profession interviews," said Melissa Duncan '06 L'09, assistant dean for career and student development. "Our students’ placements align with their outstanding abilities and strong career interests. These internships will provide excellent opportunities for them to learn about the complexities of law as they begin making a difference in the legal profession."
Elon Law students with an interest in similar internship opportunities can find more information in the Office of Career & Student Development.