DLI

DLI Class of 2025

The Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division's Diversity Leadership Institute is a six-month leadership, professional development and networking program for all Tennessee law students in their second, third or fourth years of study. The program is designed to:

  • Develop skills to succeed as a law student and attorney;
  • Empower students to contribute more to the legal community;
  • Provide opportunities for law students to network with the YLD board consisting of young lawyers and judges from across the state;
  • Build relationships among students from all six Tennessee law schools; and
  • Promote an environment in which people with differing beliefs, experiences, viewpoints, and interests can interact with one another and seek to understand the perspectives of others and treat all individuals with respect.

Class size is limited to a total of 8-10 students selected from across the state. 

 

Apply here for the DLI Class of 2026
 

Program Description and Requirements

The DLI begins with an opening retreat in January. At the retreat, participants get to know fellow class members, are introduced to concepts to be explored throughout the program, and have the opportunity to network with TBA Young Leaders Division Leadership. Class members also meet in March during the Tennessee State High School Mock Trial Competition in Nashville for their mandatory service project. The DLI program concludes at the TBA convention in June. At the convention, class members will participate in programming, attend their graduation ceremony and have the opportunity to network with members of both the TBA and TBA YLD leadership. Attendance is required for all three in-person events.
 
During the six-month leadership program, participants will be required to attend all three in-person events, complete at least one community service activity as a group and attend two continuing legal education (CLE) seminars (online or in-person). All TBA CLE seminars are free to law students. In addition, class members will be invited to attend public service projects, educational seminars and membership events planned by the TBA YLD. Participants are also encouraged to get involved in activities sponsored by their local bar associations.
There are no costs to participate in the DLI program.  Participants will be reimbursed for mileage to the three in-person events and be provided double room hotel accommodations and meals.


Eligibility

  • Applicants must be enrolled in a Tennessee law school, and must be in their second, third or fourth year of study.


Application Process

Applicants must complete an online application. Applicants must attend a mandatory Zoom meeting on November 5 at 5:30 p.m. CST. Click here for the application.

Submission Process

The deadline for applying is 5 p.m. CDT November 2.

The mandatory information meeting is 5:30 p.m. CST November 5 on Zoom.

The Selection Committee will notify participants of its decisions by the middle of November.
 

Key Program Dates

November Student applications due by 5 p.m. CDT November 2
November Meeting for all applicants November 5 at 5:30 p.m. CST (on Zoom)
January Opening Session, Nashville  January 16-17 (mandatory)
March Mock Trial Competition, Nashville  March 20-21 (mandatory)
May CLE requirements must be completed by May 30
June TBA Convention and graduation, Knoxville, June 12-13 (mandatory)

 

 

 

 

 

Questions?

If you have questions about the DLI Program or its requirements, please contact DLI Coordinators Morgan Hanna or John Murphy. If you have technical questions about filling out the application, please contact TBA staff member Laura Labenberg at llabenberg@tnbar.org.

Group Menu

Contact Us

Questions or comments about this program? Feel free to contact:

Laura Labenberg
TBA Staff Contact
llabenberg@tnbar.org
615-277-3217
 
Questions or comments about other law school services? Visit the TBA's law student resource page.