Applications are open for Zelle LLP Diversity in Law Scholarship 2021. Zelle is pleased to announce the firm’s Diversity in Law Scholarship will be offered again in 2021. The keystone of the firm’s Diversity Outreach Plan, the Diversity in Law Scholarship was created for law students who either (1) are a member of a population or group whose background and perspectives are historically underrepresented in the private practice of law; or (2) demonstrate a long-standing commitment to diversity that will be furthered by the award of the Diversity in Law Scholarship.

Benefits

The Scholarship awards the selected recipient a total of $15,000.00 to be applied towards the selected recipient’s law school tuition, fees, and textbooks, with one half of the scholarship, paid for the student’s second year of law school and one half of the scholarship paid for the student’s third year of law school subject to the following: To receive the second installment of the scholarship, the recipient must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (or its equivalent) through the student’s second year of law school.

Eligibility

• Applicants for Diversity in Law Scholarship must either be; (1) first-year law students pursuing their Juris Doctor degree who are currently enrolled full-time at an ABA-accredited law school and who have completed at least one semester of law school; or (2) be part-time (four-year program); or joint-degree students currently enrolled in their second year of law school at an ABA-accredited law school.
• Applicants also must either; (1) be a member of a population or group whose background and perspectives are historically underrepresented in the private practice of law; or (2) demonstrate a long-standing commitment to diversity that will be furthered by the award of the scholarship.

Selection Criteria

Selection considerations will include but not be limited to academic performance, writing skills, demonstrated leadership skills, an interest in litigation (including antitrust and insurance litigation), financial need, and a desire to practice in one of the cities where Zelle maintains an office.  Furthermore, applicants are required to have a 2.8 cumulative law school GPA (or its equivalent).

Application Materials

• Resume as well as cover Letter
• Undergraduate Transcript
• Law School Transcript
• Graduate School Transcript (if applicable)
• Legal Writing Sample
• Two references (only contact information is necessary, but letters of reference will be considered)
• A personal essay of no more than 750-1000 words. (explaining your interest in the scholarship program, how diversity has influenced your life, and how it impacts the legal profession)

For more information click here.