CHICAGO - Foley & Lardner LLP continues to demonstrate its commitment to diversity in the legal community through this year’s Minority Scholarship Program. The program, now in its eighth year, has awarded nearly $400,000 in scholarships to first-year minority law students in an effort to create a more diverse legal community.

This year, nine ethnically diverse first-year law students received a $5,000 scholarship toward their legal education. Law schools participating in the program include Duke University, the University of Florida, Georgetown University, the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, the University of Wisconsin, UCLA and the University of California, Berkeley.

Recipients for the 2006-2007 academic year include:
• Stephanie Maria Adams, Northwestern University School of Law
• Jessica L. Brown, Boalt Hall, University of California, Berkeley
• Jamie-Clare Flaherty, University of Michigan Law School
• Andrea I. Gonzalez, Duke University School of Law
• KaSandra N. Rogiers, University of Wisconsin Law School
• Keane Shum, Georgetown University Law Center
• Randy Lee Sims, UCLA School of Law
• Lydia Nicole Thompson, University of Wisconsin Law School
• Nickisha Webb, Levin College of Law, University of Florida

“A strong and effective diversity program is one of the highest priorities of our firm, and the Minority Scholarship Program exemplifies our tangible commitment to the advancement of minority law students and to achieving a more diverse legal community,” said Maureen A. McGinnity, the firm’s Chief Diversity Partner.

Each scholarship recipient is selected by Foley's Minority Scholarship Program Committee. The Committee considers significant involvement in community activities; significant involvement in minority student organizations; outstanding work or personal achievements; and academic achievement.

Foley is committed to recruiting a diverse pool of law students for its summer associate program and as new associates, and the Minority Scholarship Program is a valuable tool in this effort. Through this Program, Foley is introduced to exceptionally talented diverse law students who share the firm’s core values and culture. Scholarship applicants are referred to Foley’s Recruiting Committee for consideration, and the firm has been successful in hiring many applicants both as summer associates and as new associates. Additionally, the Program gives Foley the opportunity to acquaint influential diverse law students with the firm and its diversity commitment, expanding the firm’s visibility and good will within important law school constituencies.

Foley & Lardner LLP provides the full range of corporate legal counsel. Our attorneys understand today’s most complex business issues, including corporate governance, securities enforcement, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property counseling and litigation, outsourcing and information technology, labor and employment, and tax. The firm offers total solutions in the automotive, emerging technologies, energy, entertainment and media, financial services, food, golf and resort services, insurance, health care, life sciences, nanotechnology, and sports industries.

The firm’s Web site can be found at www.foley.com