DRI-The Voice of the Defense Bar, Establishes $10,000 Diversity Scholarships in Honor of Law Day, May 1; Scholarship created on eve of Brown v. Board of Education Anniversary.Business Editors/Legal Writers CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 2004 DRI-The Voice of the Defense Bar is proud to announce its first diversity scholarship in honor of Law Day, May 1. DRI See Digital Research. , which consists of more than 21,000 members of the nation's foremost defense counsel, will award two $10,000 scholarships to law students of color not of the white race; - commonly meaning, esp. in the United States, of negro blood, pure or mixed. See also: Color and females who have completed their second year of studies. The announcement of this nationwide scholarship comes just weeks before the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education Brown v. Board of Education (of Topeka) (1954) U.S. Supreme Court case in which the court ruled unanimously that racial segregation in public schools violated the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. , the US Supreme Court ruling that rejected the concept of "separate but equal" facilities in the nation's public schools. "Fifty years after Brown v. Board of Education, the legal profession still does not reflect the diverse community it serves. It is a serious problem that requires the time, resources, and devotion of the entire legal community. The DRI diversity scholarship aims to be one of many long-term efforts that will help curb this problem." said DRI President Bill Sampson. The scholarship was inspired by DRI Past President Sheryl Willert, who in 2003 was the first female and first African-American to lead a defense bar organization. "It is not enough for a small group of minorities to become attorneys. Our nation's justice system depends on creating a new culture within the profession that welcomes and promotes diversity. It is an ambitious goal, but it is the right one," Willert said. Qualified scholarship applicants must have successfully completed two years of study at an American Bar Association American Bar Association (ABA), voluntary organization of lawyers admitted to the bar of any state. Founded (1878) largely through the efforts of the Connecticut Bar Association, it is devoted to improving the administration of justice, seeking uniformity of law accredited law school A law school that has been approved by the state and the Association of American Law Schools (AALS), the American Bar Association (ABA), or both. In certain states—for example, California—it is acceptable for a law school to be accredited by the and be a member of an ethnic minority group or a female. Application details will be announced on May 20th, when qualified law schools will be notified of award criteria. DRI-The Voice of the Defense Bar, is the national organization of defense trial lawyers and corporate counsel specializing in the defense of civil litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. . DRI provides numerous educational and informational resources to its more than 21,000 members and offers many opportunities for liaison among defense trial lawyers, corporate America, and state and local defense organizations. DRI also has an international presence, seeking to enhance understanding of the law among members of the defense community who have reason to be concerned with the expanding globalization globalization Process by which the experience of everyday life, marked by the diffusion of commodities and ideas, is becoming standardized around the world. Factors that have contributed to globalization include increasingly sophisticated communications and transportation of litigation defense. Visit DRI at www.dri.org. |
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