Syracuse, New York - May 24, 2014 - In a first for the Onondaga County legal community, Hiscock & Barclay, LLP has established a Diversity 1L Summer Associate Program that will offer a paid summer associate position to a first-year law student from a historically underrepresented group within the legal profession. Hiscock & Barclay and the Syracuse University College of Law worked together to develop this program, the only one of its kind in Central New York.
First-year law student, Shaundala Brown, was selected to serve as the first program participant. Brown, who earned a bachelor's degree from Florida State University and is fluent in Japanese, has worked as a legal intern, a teaching assistant, and as a management assistant before attending SU College of Law.
"I'm honored to have been selected as the inaugural participant in the Hiscock & Barclay Diversity Summer Associate Program," said Shaundala Brown, "and I am proud to represent Syracuse University College of Law. With this program Hiscock & Barclay is offering a rare opportunity to a first-year law student to experience life in large firm practice and to develop critical skills for future success. I am excited about the program and the opportunities that await me at Hiscock & Barclay."
Many firms offer summer work opportunities to second-year law students. However, finding summer work in the field of law can be difficult for first-year students, including students from diverse backgrounds. For most first-year law students, summer positions in the legal field are unpaid internships.
"We are excited to be launching this program," said Hiscock & Barclay Managing Partner John P. Langan. "It's a way to encourage talented aspiring attorneys from diverse backgrounds to recognize the great promise of their careers."
"Syracuse University College of Law is pleased to team with Hiscock & Barclay in this endeavor as a means of increasing career development opportunities for our students," said Kavitha Janardhan, Associate Director of the Office of Professional & Career Development at Syracuse University School of Law.
Hiscock & Barclay, LLP, listed as a "Top 250 Firm" by The National Law Journal, is a full-service, 200-attorney law firm, with offices throughout the major cities of New York State, as well as in Boston, Washington, D.C. and Toronto, providing comprehensive legal and business counsel to a diverse client base in 30 practice areas.