Kegler Brown to Award Minority Merit Scholarship

Annual scholarship furthers firm's commitment to diversity

December 6, 2004

The law firm of Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter is currently seeking applicants for its minority student merit scholarship. This spring, the firm will award the scholarship to a deserving first-year minority law student.

The $4,000 Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter Minority Merit Scholarship includes a paid summer clerkship position with the firm's first-year summer associate class. All first-year minority law students of African-American, Asian American, American Indian or Hispanic descent are eligible to apply for the scholarship.

2005 marks the second year for Kegler Brown's minority merit scholarship, and the firm is excited about the program's contribution to diversity in the legal community. "Diversity is a priority at Kegler Brown," said Michael E. Zatezalo, Kegler Brown's managing director. "Through the scholarship, we are able to offer minorities opportunities to advance in the legal field."

The Kegler Brown Minority Merit Scholarship is awarded annually to a minority law student based on academic performance, accomplishments, activities, and potential contributions to the legal community. Minority students from several Ohio and Midwest universities will be considered for the scholarship.

Diversity efforts at Kegler Brown go beyond the minority merit scholarship. Kegler Brown also served on the committee to conceptualize and establish the Columbus Bar Association's Minority Clerkship program. The program, established in 1987, has fostered the placement of more than 300 minority students to date. Each year since the program's inception, Kegler Brown has employed a first-year minority law student. On more than one occasion, the firm has extended an offer for that clerk to return for a second summer and then to be hired as a first-year associate upon completion of law school.

In addition, Kegler Brown is also a signatory firm to the Columbus Bar Association's Diversity Initiative, which is designed to significantly increase the number of minority attorneys recruited and retained within Columbus law firms.

Scholarship materials are due to Kegler Brown by February 18, 2005. Interested students should submit a resume, writing sample, and graduate transcripts to Catherine L. Cheugh, Kegler Brown's Firm Administrator. Additional information about the scholarship is available at http://www.keglerbrown.com/careers.