2026 Reed Smith/Capital One 1L Fellowship Program

The Reed Smith/Capital One 1L Fellowship Program provides an award in the amount of $5,000 and a summer associate position in Reed Smith’s Washington, D.C. office to a first-year law student who has demonstrated academic scholarship, dedication to community service and/or leadership, and an understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Recipients will have the opportunity to spend several weeks during the summer program on secondment in the legal department at Capital One in McLean, Virginia. The $5,000 will be awarded at the conclusion of the summer program and will be paid in addition to the summer associate salary.

To apply, please submit the following documents with your application:
• Resume
• A statement demonstrating why you should be selected and a statement demonstrating a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion or demonstrating you have overcome significant adversity in your path to law school, which can serve as a cover letter
• Law school transcript (unofficial versions are acceptable)
• Legal writing sample

Please Note

You may submit your application prior to obtaining your first semester law transcript, but please note that you must update your application via our application portal once your transcript is received.