Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative 2012
Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative 2012 Are you a racially diverse, high-performing college student planning to pursue a career in law but concerned about the cost of applying to law schools? If so, the Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative is directed towards helping students like you. The Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative aims to increase diversity in law schools, and eventually, within the legal profession by subsidizing the LSAT preparatory course and law school application expenses of talented, racially diverse college students who may have difficulty paying the expenses associated with applying to law school. For eligibility requirements, an outline of the program and how to apply, please read below or visit www.sidleyscholars.com. Program Elements Funding ($2,500 maximum) for: Tuition for a Sidley-approved LSAT preparatory course Registration fees for the June 2011 LSAT and the Law School Data Assembly Service ( LSDAS ) Law School application fees (up to seven) LSDAS report fees (up to seven) Expert counseling on creating a successful law school application 2013 Sidley Scholars Summer Seminar ( S4 ), a 2-3 day introduction to the structure of the American legal system and substantive instruction on the traditional first-year law school courses, as well as an opportunity to meet Sidley lawyers and other leaders in the legal community Upon successful completion of an approved LSAT preparatory course, completion of the LSAT, submission of at least five law school applications, confirmation of intention to matriculate to law school during Fall 2013, and attendance at S4, each Scholar will receive an additional $2,500 scholarship award
2011 Sidley Prelaw Scholars 2011 Sidley Scholars Seated (L to R): Jasmine Barnes-Elliot (Cincinnati); Amorya Orr (Fisk); Lisa Brown (Oberlin); Nakia Martin (John Jay); Rachel McDaniel (U of Texas); Gabrielle Smith (Texas A&M); Tanya Syed (USC); Brittany Jones (Hampton) Standing (L to R): Stanley Stallworth, Partner and Firmwide Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee, Sidley Austin LLP; Henry Ha (Stony Brook); Shola Shodiya (Berkley); Walter Carlson, Partner and Firmwide Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee, Sidley Austin LLP; Caleb Gayle (Oklahoma); Donald DePass (Duke); Julian Hill (Northwestern); Lauren Friedrich (U of Miami); Catherine Barrad, Partner and Firmwide Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee, Sidley Austin LLP; Paul Agbeyegbe (U of Miami); Melissa Centeno (UCLA); Jimmie Strong (Morehouse); Jordan Clark (Northeastern); Emanuel Gawrieh (Baylor); Eliazar Chacha (Berkley); Matthew Irwin, Senior Corporate Counsel, Gap Inc.; Johnny Taylor, President and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Sidley Scholars with the Honorable Ann C. Williams, Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, in her chambers during the 2011 Sidley Scholar Summer Seminar. www.sidley.com BEIJING BRUSSELS CHICAGO DALLAS FRANKFURT GENEVA HONG KONG LONDON LOS ANGELES NEW YORK PALO ALTO SAN FRANCISCO SHANGHAI SINGAPORE SYDNEY TOKYO WASHINGTON, D.C.
Eligibility Sidley Prelaw Scholars will be selected on a competitive basis. To be considered as a Sidley Prelaw Scholar, one must: Be a second semester college junior or a senior, graduating from an accredited American college in good standing no later than June 30, 2013 Be a native-born or naturalized U.S. citizen Submit a complete application and supporting materials by the application deadline Demonstrate financial need through the application and supporting materials Expectations of Sidley Prelaw Scholars Each Sidley Prelaw Scholar is expected to: Graduate in good standing from college no later than June 30, 2013 Meet all LSAT, law school application and program deadlines Attend all classes associated with the LSAT preparatory course Attend the Sidley Scholars Summer Seminar in Summer 2013 Matriculate to Law School in Fall 2013 Be available via telephone and email to Sidley administrators and lawyers from February 2012 through September 2013. 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.
About Sidley Austin LLP Sidley Austin LLP is one of the world s largest law firms. With more than 1,700 lawyers and 17 offices in commercial and financial centers in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, we provide a broad range of services to meet the needs of large and small businesses across a multitude of industries, financial institutions, governments and individuals. Sidley is committed to achieving greater diversity not only for our firm, but within the legal profession as a whole. Our mission is to attract and retain outstanding lawyers of varied backgrounds who reflect the global marketplace that we serve. Through the leadership of its Diversity Committee and the Committee on Retention and Promotion of Women, Sidley aspires to make sustainable progress in its journey toward becoming a more diverse organization. For more information about Sidley, go to www.sidley.com. How to Apply Go online to www.sidleyscholars.com. Download, complete, and print the online application. Submit the application, an official transcript*, Free Application for Federal Student Aid**, resume, and sealed and signed recommendation, via overnight delivery*** to: Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative c/o Susan Engle Sidley Austin LLP One South Dearborn Chicago, IL 60603 Incomplete applications will not be considered. *Unofficial transcripts are accepted. However, once an applicant has been chosen, he/she must submit an official transcript. ** Free Application for Federal Student Aid is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. *** Unfortunately, Sidley cannot provide proof of delivery.
2012 Program Timeline Friday, January 20, 2012 Application deadline (postmark date) Friday, March 2, 2012 2012 Sidley Scholars published to website April 2012 Start date for LSAT prep course for June 2012 LSAT (exact dates vary by location and provider) Monday, June 11, 2012 June 2012 LSAT Exam October 2012 LSAT Exam Saturday, October 6, 2012 Wednesday, October 10, 2012 (Sabbath Observers) Late June/ early July 2013 S4: Sidley Scholars Summer Seminar 09/11 Sidley Austin LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership which operates at the firm s offices other than Chicago, London, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney, is affiliated with other partnerships, including Sidley Austin LLP, an Illinois limited liability partnership (Chicago); Sidley Austin LLP, a separate Delaware limited liability partnership (London); Sidley Austin LLP, a separate Delaware limited liability partnership (Singapore); Sidley Austin, a New York general partnership (Hong Kong); Sidley Austin, a Delaware general partnership of registered foreign lawyers restricted to practicing foreign law (Sydney); and Sidley Austin Nishikawa Foreign Law Joint Enterprise (Tokyo). The affiliated partnerships are referred to herein collectively as Sidley Austin, Sidley, or the firm.