Vinson & Elkins is seeking applicants for its annual scholarships for high performing minority high school seniors in Texas. The scholarships provide each student $10,000 toward his or her college education, an internship opportunity at V&E and LSAT preparatory course reimbursement.
Each year, V&E awards students in under-represented racial/ethnic groups (African-American/Black, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American and Pacific Islander, or Multiracial) with scholarships, which pay $2,500 a year for four years. In addition, the V&E Scholars are offered paying internships at one of V&E’s Texas offices during their college summers, as well as given funds to prepare for law school entrance examinations. To qualify, each student must be a member of one of the racial/ethnic groups mentioned above, have a financial need, a strong academic performance and an interest in becoming a lawyer.
“It’s exciting to see these extraordinary students build relationships and develop the skills to become talented professionals through the V&E Scholars Program,” said Jim Reeder, V&E partner and Scholarship Foundation Chairman. “With this scholarship, we hope to remove barriers to college and career success, so that each student may go on to make an impact in the legal profession and their communities.”
The V&E Scholars Program was founded in 1990 as part of the firm’s effort to increase diversity in the legal profession. To date, the firm has awarded scholarships to 147 high school students from Austin, Dallas and Houston areas.
“The generous scholarship that I received from Vinson & Elkins allowed me to excel in college,” said Jing Jin, current University of Chicago Law School student and 2009 V&E Scholar. “The opportunity to intern at the law firm over the summer was great preparation for law school, and afforded me the opportunity to work in the industry and meet lawyers who continue to be my mentors.”
Scholarship applications are due by April 1, 2017. A selection panel will evaluate all completed applications and announce the scholarship recipients in May. The scholarship application is available here.
Celebrating its 100th year, Vinson & Elkins LLP is an international law firm with approximately 700 lawyers across 16 offices worldwide. For media inquiries, please contact Courtney Binick at +1.713.758.2333. For additional information on the scholarship, please contact Kristen Killion at+1.713.758.2811.
