Welcome to the Tax Section’s updated Fellowship Program! The section’s New Tax Lawyer Committee started offering fellowships in 2009 to attract and retain new tax lawyers by encouraging them to become active in the section. So, what’s a “New Tax Lawyer”? If you’re a regular or affiliate Tax Section member who’s 35 or younger on July 1, or you have been in practice fewer than 10 years, you’re automatically an NTL.
The section offers three, three-year fellowships. Each Fellow receives $3,000 per year to offset expenses relating to attending Tax Section meetings, as well as waived registration fees. In addition to the financial benefits of being selected as a Fellow, you’ll also be connected to a mentor—a Tax Section member who will help you get integrated into the section and follow your progress in the program. Networking is a key part of the program, and you’ll be invited to local events in addition to scheduled Tax Section events.
But wait, there’s more! Each Fellow will participate in Fellowship Sessions, “roundtable” discussions for Fellows and members of the Tax Section on selected topics. For the first year, the roundtable discussions are focused on mentorship and the Tax Section. The Fellowship Program is a leadership training opportunity. Fellows’ responsibilities and section involvement increase each year until completion of the program and may include article writing, hosting NTL events, committee service, CLE presentations and more.
The Fellowship Program application period is October 1 to March. Current practitioners and attorney students are welcome to apply. Applications will be reviewed by a committee in March and Fellows are selected in April.
How the New Tax Lawyer Fellowship Program Works
- Mentors. The Tax Section will solicit members to serve as mentors. Mentors will be matched with Fellows by the Fellowship Selection Review Committee. A maximum of two mentors will be assigned to each Fellow. Mentors will be responsible for integrating the Fellows into the Tax Section and reviewing the Fellows’ progress through the program. Mentors will be required to submit evaluations of their Fellows no later than March 1st.
- Ad Hoc Committee. This Committee will also be responsible with integrating the Fellows into the Section by making introductions and inviting them to local events outside of scheduled Tax Section events.
The Fellowship Sessions are “roundtable” discussions for Fellows with members of the Tax Section on selected topics. For the first year, the roundtable discussions will be focused on mentorship and the Tax Section.
The Fellowship Program will accommodate three (3) Fellows per year for a term of three (3) years.
Each fellow will receive $3,000.00 per Fellowship year for reimbursement of expenses relating to attendance at Tax Section meetings. In addition, registration fees for fellows will be waived for Tax Section events. Guest registration still required for accompanying individuals.
The Fellowship Program Application period will be from October 1st to March 1st every year to allow for current practitioners and attorney-students to apply. The applications will then be reviewed by a committee in March and Fellows selected no later than April 1st.
The Fellowship Selection Committee members will be comprised of the Co-Directors of New Tax Lawyers, the Chair Elect, the Chair Elect Designee, and up to three (3) prior NTL Fellows.
The updated Fellowship Program requirements will be uploaded to the website. In the future, the Fellowship Program Application may be reviewed and updated.
All applicants who have applied after the last Fellowship Program cycle and before October 1st, 2024, will be considered in the upcoming application cycle. These applicants have been made aware of their pending application status.
New Tax Lawyer Fellow Requirements
Attend at least two (2) Meetings:
Tax Section Organizational Meeting (Amelia Island) and 1 Meeting of the Fellows’ Choice
Individual Assignments (not required):
- Summarize Ullman Year in Review for Bulletin
- Host Lunch & Learn or Happy Hour Event in your city for local tax attorneys
- Write an article for the Bulletin
N/A[1]
[1] Fellows will be encouraged to attend the different committee meetings at each Tax Section meeting. However, Year 1 Fellows are not required to actively participate in a committee.
2 Fellow Sessions:
- Introduction to the Section
- Mentor Introduction / Joint Fellowship Call[2]
[2] In the future, the Year 2 and Year 3 will fellows meet with the Year 1 fellows for this call and discuss their experience / takeaways from the fellowship. For the first call, we can have prior fellows join and discuss their successes with the program.
Fellow Sessions can be CLEs/Phone Meetings or in-person Meetings at the Tax Section Meetings to have roundtable meetings and open discussions regarding certain topics to develop the Fellows into being leaders of the Tax Section.
Attend at least two (2) Meetings:
Tax Section Organizational Meeting (Amelia Island) and 1 Meeting of the Fellows’ Choice
Individual Assignments (not required):
- Summarize Ullman Year in Review for Bulletin
- Host Lunch & Learn or Happy Hour Event in your city for local tax attorneys
- Write an article for the Bulletin
Summarize 1 CLE presented by the Tax Section for publication in the Bulletin / E-Newsletter
Actively participate in a committee (Committee Assignment)
4 Fellow Sessions:
- Networking within the Tax Section
- Developing your Skills in the Section
- Leveraging the Tax Section for your Practice Area
- Joint Fellowship Call / Check-in Call
Fellow Sessions can be CLEs/Phone Meetings or in-person Meetings at the Tax Section Meetings to have roundtable meetings and open discussions regarding certain topics to develop the Fellows into being leaders of the Tax Section.
Attend at least two (2) Meetings:
Tax Section Organizational Meeting (Amelia Island)* and 1 Meeting of the Fellows’ Choice.
*Amelia Island meeting required unless with prior approval from NTL Co-Chairs.
Individual Assignments (one required):
- Host Lunch & Learn or Happy Hour Event in your city for local tax attorneys
- Present / host one CLE with veteran tax section member (phone or in person locally) or at the Ullman Year in Review
- Research one Ullman Year in Review Presentation for Article in the Bulletin
- Assist with coordinating moot court competition
- Draft moot court competition problem
Summarize 1 CLE presented by the Tax Section for publication in the Bulletin / E-Newsletter
Actively participate in a committee (Committee Assignment)
4 Fellow Sessions:
- Understanding Sponsorship (Sponsorship Dinner)
- Individual Meetings with Committee Chairs
- Board Certification Study Tips
- Joint Fellowship Call / Check-in Call
Fellow Sessions can be CLEs/Phone Meetings or in-person Meetings at the Tax Section Meetings to have roundtable meetings and open discussions regarding certain topics to develop the Fellows into being leaders of the Tax Section.
Mentee Evaluations
In addition to the assignments listed above, the Fellowship Selection Committee will solicit feedback from the Fellows to determine what aspects of the program are working or need improvements as we continue to develop the program.
Feedback on the fellow sessions, the overall program, and mentees should be solicited from the Fellows.
A self-reflection on the Fellows’ success and development in the program will also help determine which areas of the fellowship should be improved.
Mentor Assignments & Evaluations
Mentors and Mentees should be regularly checking in throughout the year and notify the Fellowship Selection Committee if there are any circumstances that are preventing the Fellow from having a successful year.
Mentors will be required to submit an evaluation of their mentee and their progress through the program.
