On October 19, JD Advising announced the 50 law students participating in the 2022 JD Advising Scholars Program. This program connects top law firms with historically underrepresented first-year law students.
Fifteen law firm partners are financially sponsoring the tutoring and materials for students. These firms also generously give their time to serve as mentors to the students and attend panels to give helpful advice.
"Our application cycle this year was very competitive and we are thrilled to have 50 amazing students participate in our JD Advising Scholars Program," said JD Advising founder and CEO Ashley Heidemann. "We are honored to be part of the diversification of the legal profession, and we could not do so without sponsorship from so many law firms. Their commitment to this program is the reason it was able to grow this year, and for many years to come. The student scholars show great promise and we are excited to see what they go on to do in their legal careers."
For the 20212022 school year, there were 25 law students in the program. This 20222023 school year, the program size has doubled to 50 law students.
The Scholars Program is making a big impact on the participating students, such as Otelo Reggy-Beane, JD candidate (class of 2025) at Yale Law School, who said, "The JD Advising Scholars program has already played a pivotal role in my legal journey. From one-on-one private tutoring to mentorship from an experienced lawyer, I feel prepared to perform at my best in the classroom and confident as I embark on my career as an attorney."
Joy Dartey, JD candidate (class of 2025), at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, stated, "The JD Advising Scholars Program has eased my transition into law school. The resources the Program offers, particularly for academic support, have been invaluable for engaging with what I'm learning in the classroom."
The following firms are participating in the program (see image below):
• Bush Seyferth PLLC
• Covington & Burling LLP
• Haynes and Boone, LLP
• Honigman LLP
• Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss (joining Taft December 31, 2022)
• Latham & Watkins LLP
• Lowenstein Sandler LLP
• Miller, Canfield, Paddock, and Stone PLC
• Ogletree Deakins
• Robinson+Cole
• Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, & Flom LLP
• Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
• Varnum LLP
• Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
• Weil, Gotshal, & Manges LLP
Audrey Youngman, manager of Entry-Level Recruiting for Haynes and Boone, LLP, commented, "Haynes Boone is excited to partner with JD Advising for their 2022 Scholars Program. In our 2025 Strategic Plan, Haynes Boone committed to being a market leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and we feel the JD Advising Scholars Program is aligned with that goal. The 2022 JD Advising Scholars are an incredibly impressive group and we are grateful for the opportunity to get to know each of them through this partnership."
Mandice McAlister, DEI manager at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, also stated, "We are thrilled to again sponsor the Law School Scholars Program. Our continued partnership with JD Advising is an important investment in the legal profession's diverse, equitable and inclusive future. We look forward to supporting and building relationships with the 2022 scholars."
Marcelyn Cox, Director Of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, & Flom LLP, remarked, "Skadden, Arps is dedicated to promoting diversity within the greater legal profession, beginning with the pipeline of students entering law schools. We are thrilled to be partnering with the JD Advising Scholars Program in its purposeful mission to provide mentoring and support to their select scholars from underrepresented communities. Mentorship is key to career development and professional advancement, and we hope our participation will create meaningful connections that last far beyond law school."
To be eligible for the JD Advising Scholars Program, first-year law students must meet the following requirements:
• Must be enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school for the upcoming fall semester.
• Must have a minimum of either a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or a 160 LSAT score.
• Must identify as a member of an underrepresented racial, ethnic, or gender group, a member of the LGBTQ community, or disabled.
Those selected for the JD Advising Scholars Program receive, at no cost to the law student:
• 10 hours of one-on-one tutoring before and throughout the first semester of law school (valued at over $2,000)
• JD Advising Law School One-Sheets
• JD Advising Law School Study Aids (outlines, flashcards, short-answer questions, multiple-choice questions, and more)
• Access to firm panels and networking events
• Potential access to mentorship by a law firm sponsor
Applications for 2022 are now closed. Applications for 2023 open on December 1, 2022.
JD Advising Inc.'s mission is to help law students, firms, and schools achieve their goals by providing the highest quality legal education services. JD Advising offers prelaw services, law school tutoring services, and bar exam services. For additional information, visit www.jdadvising.com.
