Four St. John’s Law Students Earn New York City Bar Diversity Fellowships

Four first-year St. John’s Law students have received New York City Bar Diversity Fellowships for Summer 2017. Charles Akinboyewa '19 will spend the summer at Morgan Stanley, Joshua Beckham '19 will work for the New York City Law Department, Joo Yeon Shin '19 will join the summer associate program at Haynes & Boone LLP, and Artesia Tso '19 will work at New York Life.

The Diversity Fellowship Program was launched in 1991 as an initiative of the New York City Bar Association Committee on Recruitment and Retention of Lawyers. Since its inception, hundreds of 1Ls from underrepresented populations have been selected to spend their summer as Program Fellows in a law firm, or in a corporate or government legal department.

To earn coveted spots in the program, the St. John’s Law candidates went through a rigorous selection process that included a legal writing requirement, a personal statement, a screening committee interview, and a second interview by a panel of attorneys and school representatives. Associate Director of Career Development Rena Varghese administers all aspects of the program, and along with Professor Jacob L. Todres, Assistant Dean of Students Kimathi Gordon-Somers, and Career Development Office administrators Lalaine Mercado and Sara Drew, assists in advising students about this opportunity.

“St. John’s students have been very successful in obtaining these competitive fellowships over the years,” says Jeanne Ardan, the Law School’s assistant dean for career development. “The practical experience they gain during the placements gives them a strong foundation for future employment. It’s a very exciting opportunity for Artesia, Charles, Joo Yeon, and Joshua, who are deserving of this honor.”