Law firms are stepping up to provide legal education opportunities particularly for students in under-represented, low-income communities. By funding student fellowships, firms are able to directly support students, recognize academic excellence and reinforce the school’s public mission. Recently, Steefel, Levitt & Weiss established the Diversity Fellowship to benefit a 2L in excellent academic standing. The first fellowship is expected to be awarded in 2006.
Boalt summer fellows at the East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC) are eligible for Thelen Reid & Preist’s new summer fellowship. Thelen Reid has made a three-year commitment to support a first-year law student working in one of EBCLC’s five practice areas: community economic development, HIV/AIDS and health law, housing law, income and employment support or the Clean Slate Clinic.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati also recently established a three-year fellowship to assist an academically talented Boalt student, particularly one from an economically disadvantaged community.
Boalt is deeply grateful for the support of these firms and is eager to see these fellowships awarded to students.