Zelle Hofmann Announces Diversity in Law Scholarship Recipient; Two Scholarship Finalists Also Named
August 1, 2011Zelle Hofmann is pleased to announce Denise Lambert Drake as the recipient of the firm’s Diversity in Law Scholarship for 2011. Denise will receive a scholarship to be applied towards her law school tuition, fees and text books. Denise will also be assigned a mentor at the firm for her remaining law school career and will be offered a paid summer clerkship at one of the firm’s office locations.
"The example set by Zelle's commitment to diversity in the profession is so inspiring as I begin my legal career,” said Denise. “I am so honored to have been selected as a Diversity in Law Scholarship recipient, and look forward to being involved with diversity outreach efforts in the future."
Denise recently completed her first year at Stanford Law School and serves as Associate Editor for the Stanford Law and Policy Review Journal. Denise also participates in the Volunteer Attorneys Program, helping ground her legal education in real cases while assisting underserved communities, often across language barriers. As an undergraduate student at Harvard University, Denise served as a leader in Harvard Model Congress, and conducted congressional simulation conferences for diverse high school students from around the world. This leadership role allowed Denise to combine her interest in the legislative process with a call to action through education. Upon receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard in Economics and Government, with honors, Denise worked as an emerging markets foreign exchange analyst at Goldman Sachs in New York City. A Texas native, Denise is fluent in Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese.
Due to the strength of the scholarship candidates this year, the firm has also named two scholarship finalists and awarded them $2,500 each. The two finalists are Christian Jackson and Mariano Suarez. Christian completed his first year at Fordham University School of Law in New York City. He received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science, cum laude, from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. Mariano completed his first year at Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago. He received his Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.
The Diversity in Law Scholarship is the keystone of the firm's Diversity Outreach Plan and was created for first year law students who either (1) are a member of a diverse group that is historically underrepresented in the private practice of law; or (2) demonstrate a long-standing commitment to diversity that will be furthered by award of the scholarship. To learn more about the Diversity in Law Scholarship and Zelle Hofmann's commitment to diversity, please click here.
