Holland & Knight Scholarship at FAMU College of Law Now Benefits First-Year Law Students
Orlando, Fla. – October 28, 2009 - Holland & Knight is pleased to announce that the scholarship agreement it entered into in 2007 with Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law will now benefit first-year law students.
In 2007, Holland & Knight contributed $100,000 to establish the scholarship fund, the first of its kind at the law school. The scholarship, known as the Holland & Knight LLP Scholarship, supports and furthers FAMU College of Law's goals of achieving the educational benefits of diversity and promoting equal access for all students.
Starting in 2008, scholarship recipients were selected from second-year law students. Beginning in 2011, the annual award will be made to one first-year law student in their second semester. The recipient will receive a monetary stipend equivalent to the full-time, in-state tuition for one year during their second year of law school, plus an offer of summer employment from Holland & Knight for an internship after their first year. If the recipient maintains and excels in his or her second year of school, and in the summer internship, the recipient may receive an additional offer of summer employment at Holland & Knight and an additional stipend during the third year of law school after completion of the second year of law school.
"We are committed to FAMU's College of Law and the future of its students," said Holland & Knight Managing Partner Steven Sonberg. "By offering the Holland & Knight LLP Scholarship to first-year students, we are providing them with the opportunity to gain a hands-on experience and broader understanding of what is expected of them when they graduate — something very important in this ever-changing legal environment."
Students who are likely to contribute to the College of Law's educational, mission-related goals including diversity-related goals are eligible for the Holland & Knight LLP Scholarship. During the Spring semester of each year, a scholarship committee at FAMU's College of Law will select a first-year student who possesses a GPA in the top 10 percent of the class at the end of the Fall semester, has faculty recommendations and academic credentials, and community service involvement.
“Holland & Knight was one of the first law firms to commit to funding a scholarship and internship program at the reestablished FAMU College of Law,” said Dean LeRoy Pernell. “By expanding this initiative to first-year law students, Holland & Knight helps ensure that FAMU Law students will gain valuable practical experience throughout law school.”
About FAMU College of Law: The FAMU College of Law was founded in 1949 on the main campus in Tallahassee. After graduating 57 lawyers, the law school was closed by the state of Florida in 1968. The Florida Legislature voted to reopen the law school in 2000 and Orlando was selected as the location. The reestablished FAMU College of Law opened its doors in 2002 and is now housed in a state-of-the-art facility in downtown Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood. The FAMU College of Law received full accreditation from the American Bar Association in July 2009.
Contact:
Aimee Steel, Holland & Knight LLP (202) 828-1895 or aimee.steel@hklaw.com
Kate Barth, Holland & Knight LLP (813) 769-4335 or kate.barth@hklaw.com
Mildred Graham, Florida A&M University (407) 254-3206, mildred.graham@famu.edu
Pamela Tolson, Florida A&M University (850) 412-5211, pamela.tolson@famu.edu
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