Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative
Program Description and Requirements
Congratulations to the 2010-2011 Class of Sidley Prelaw Scholars.
We will be sending updates with additional program information to each selected scholar, but if there are questions about the program, please contact Susan Engle () or Minh Thai ().
| Paul Jolomi Agbeyegbe |
University of Miami |
| Jasmine Barnes |
University of Cincinnati |
| Efren Woodrow Bonner |
Yale University |
| Lisa Mon'A Brown |
Oberlin College |
| Lizette Ceja |
Pitzer College |
| Ivonne Centeno |
UCLA |
| Eliazar Chacha |
UC Berkeley |
| Melissa Chastang |
Hampton University |
| Jordan Clark |
Northeastern University |
| Stephanie Cunningham |
U. of Alabama, Birmingham |
| Donald DePass |
Duke University |
| Lauren Friedrich |
Miami University, Ohio |
| Denisa Gandara |
University of Texas, Austin |
| Emanuel Gawrieh |
Baylor University |
| Caleb Gayle |
University of Oklahoma |
| Jessica Gutierrez |
University of Chicago |
| Henry Ha |
Stony Brook University, SUNY |
| Alan-Michael Hill |
University of Pennsylvania |
| David Jiang |
UCLA |
| Ariel Renee Johnson |
Spelman College |
| Brittany Jones |
Hampton University |
| Brittany Lester |
Howard University |
| Eric Mackie |
Georgetown University |
| Michael Magdelinskas-Vazquez |
Trinity College |
| Nakia Martin |
John Jay College, CUNY |
| Rachel McDaniel |
University of Texas, Austin |
| Sasha Mills |
Spelman College |
| Amorya Orr |
Fisk University |
| Naima Shirdon |
Ohio State University |
| Shola Shodiya |
UC Berkeley |
| Gabrielle Smith |
Texas A&M University |
| Kioceaia Stenson |
Spelman College |
| Jimmie Strong |
Morehouse College |
| Tanya Syed |
University of Southern California |
| Dulce Vazquez |
UCLA |
The Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative is designed to increase diversity in law schools by subsidizing the cost of applying to law school for talented financially needy minority students.
“Sidley has a significant commitment to achieving greater ethnic and racial diversity within the legal profession and the firm. We wanted to develop a program that would widen the pipeline by helping to eliminate barriers at an earlier stage in a student’s career,” said Thomas A. Cole, chairman of the firm’s Executive Committee. “Our Diversity Committee and staff are to be congratulated for developing this creative approach.”
“From my personal experience as a graduate of a historically black university, I know that there is a need for more financial assistance for students from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) who are hopeful of obtaining professional degrees. We believe that the Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative will create opportunities for graduates at HBCUs and for financially needy students from other institutions,” said Stanley Stallworth. Stallworth is the firmwide Co-chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee, which is responsible for implementing the firm’s policies and initiatives relating to diversity and inclusion.
Elements of the Program
For each Scholar, the firm pays for:
- Tuition for an approved LSAT preparatory course;
- Registration fees for the June LSAT and the LSDAS; and
- Up to seven (7) Law School application fees and LSDAS reports
Each Scholar also receives:
- Coaching on how to complete a successful law school application;
- An additional $2,500 in scholarship assistance; and
- Prelaw school instruction on the structure of the American legal system, as well as an introduction to the substance of the required common law first-year courses.
Eligibility
To be considered as a Sidley Prelaw Scholar, one must:
- Be a second semester junior or senior, graduating from college in good standing no later than June 30, 2011;
- Be a native-born or naturalized U.S. citizen;
- Submit all application materials by the January 22, 2010 postmark deadline; and
- Demonstrate financial need through the application and supporting materials.
Required Application Materials*:
*Note:
Applications missing any of the aforementioned materials after the deadline will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Applicants are highly encouraged to submit materials early to avoid missing the January 22, 2010 postmark deadline.
Expectations of Sidley Prelaw Scholars
Each Scholar is expected to:
- Graduate in good standing from college no later than June 30, 2011
- Meet all LSAT, law school application and program deadlines
- Attend all classes associated with the LSAT preparatory course
- Be available via telephone and email to Sidley administrators and lawyers from February 2010 through September 2011. Upon commencement of law school, remain in touch with Sidley administrators to provide feedback on how the Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative is benefiting the Sidley Prelaw Scholar during the first year of law school.*
*Note: Although we encourage Sidley Prelaw Scholars eventually to consider Sidley Austin LLP when considering law firm employment, being a Sidley Prelaw Scholar does not obligate one to apply for a summer clerkship or permanent position with any Sidley office, nor is Sidley obligated to interview or hire any Sidley Prelaw Scholar.
2010-2011 Program Timeline
| Friday , January 22, 2010 |
Sidley Prelaw Scholars applications postmark due date. Complete application must include:
(1) official college transcript
(2) a copy of most recent FAFSA SAR (Student Aid Report)
(3) a resume (one page maximum)
(4) completed recommendation form |
Top applicant phone interviews will take place in February.
| Names of chosen applicants will be posted on this page no later than Wednesday, March 17th. |
| March - April |
Sidley Scholars are expected to:
(1) enroll in an approved LSAT prep course*
(2) register for the June LSAT |
| Monday, June 7, 2010 |
June LSAT exam |
| Saturday, January 15, 2011 |
Sidley Prelaw Scholars will have completed and submitted
at least five (5) law school applications |
| Summer 2011 |
S4: Sidley Scholars Summer Seminar |
| Fall 2011 |
2010 Sidley Scholars begin law school |
*Approved prep course providers: Kaplan, Princeton Review, TestMasters
For more information, please contact .
Sidley Scholars Summer Seminar
The Sidley Scholar Summer Seminar (S4) is designed to:
- Introduce the Scholars to the American legal system.
- Introduce the Scholars to the basic concepts of the common law courses they will take in their first year of law school.
- Give the Scholars an opportunity to meet and develop relationships with practicing Sidley lawyers, both partners and associates.
- Create a network of support for the Scholars as they begin their legal careers.
During the weekend, the Scholars will participate in classroom-style legal seminars taught by practicing lawyers, as well as social events designed to introduce them to Sidley partners and associates. We hope that as a result of the Sidley Scholars Summer Seminar, the Scholars will come away with a preliminary idea of the legal concepts they will be exploring in their first year of law school. We also look forward to providing a community of support and mentorship for the Scholars as they make their way through law school, and eventually join the legal profession as our colleagues.