Akin Welcomes Class of Strauss Diversity & Inclusion and Pro Bono Scholars

25 law students join firm this summer through firm’s signature pipeline programs.

(Washington, D.C.) — Akin is pleased to announce that a total of 25 top law students have joined the firm this summer via its two marquee pipeline scholarship programs: the Strauss Diversity & Inclusion Scholars program and the Pro Bono Scholars program. Both programs will comprise a full 10 weeks and for the first time, all scholars will participate in the firm’s 2023 Scholar Summit in Washington, D.C., which will include training, networking and professional development opportunities.

Commenting on the Scholars programs, Akin chairperson Kim Koopersmith stated, “These talented law students represent the future of our firm and the legal industry. They each bring different backgrounds, passions and experiences to our firm, and all have demonstrated a strong track record of success and a desire to cultivate the skills that will allow them to be successful in their future legal careers. I am excited to welcome all of our scholars to Akin and look forward to providing them with an exciting, meaningful summer experience.”

At the end of the summer, the scholars will be eligible to receive an offer to join the firm’s second-year summer associate program in 2024. Our scholars also receive a $50,000 scholarship to help offset law school expenses.

Akin firmwide hiring partner Lauren Leyden said, “We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional scholars to the firm and are proud to be able to offer them a rewarding experience of working at a law firm and onsite with some of our valued clients and pro bono partners. Akin is committed to our recruiting efforts and we are looking forward to welcoming this year’s Scholars to our Akin community.”

Strauss Diversity & Inclusion Scholars

The 2023 class of Strauss Diversity & Inclusion Scholars consists of 20 scholars, and includes two practice-group specific scholars, a Financial Restructuring Diversity & Inclusion Scholar and a Corporate Diversity & Inclusion Scholar. Scholars will join the firm in its five largest U.S. offices—New York, Washington, D.C., Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles.

In addition to working directly with Akin lawyers on client matters, scholars will have the opportunity to be involved in firm diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives during the summer and to build relationships with members of firm resource affinity groups. The most innovative aspect of the program is the partnership with valued firm clients. Scholars will have the opportunity to work directly with a client for up to four weeks over the summer, in addition to their time at the firm working on legal matters. Participating clients include 7-Eleven, Angelo Gordon, Apollo, Blackstone, CenterPoint Energy, Davidson Kempner Capital Management, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Elliott, Meta, Netflix, Nuveen, Prudential Financial, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, SLB, Southwest Airlines Co., SpaceX, Volkswagen and Yum! Brands.

Founded in 2014 and named for Akin co-founder Robert Strauss, the program continues his vision for, and pursuit of, racial, ethnic, gender, economic and cultural diversity by bringing top law students to the firm to gain important substantive experience and have a voice in the firm’s diversity and inclusion strategy and initiatives. Commenting on this year’s Strauss Diversity & Inclusion Scholars class, Akin’s Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Nimesh Patel said, “Our SDIS program is an outstanding opportunity for us to recruit incredibly talented students who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing DEI, and which also enables us to partner with clients who share our commitment to supporting DEI in the legal profession.”

The 20 Strauss Diversity & Inclusion Scholars, their resident Akin offices and their law schools are as follows:

Pro Bono Scholars

The firm is also pleased to welcome five scholars to its 2023 class of Pro Bono Scholars in the U.S. This is the 16th year of the program, which provides top first-year law students the opportunity to develop early and significant experience in pro bono work and public interest law. The scholars acquire skills during this standout two-year program enabling them to build a foundation for a holistic legal practice that will serve them throughout their careers.

The Pro Bono Scholars will spend the first five weeks of the program at Akin working on pro bono matters, receiving substantive assignments, and training in areas in which the firm focuses its pro bono practice, including asylum, civil rights and prisoner rights. The scholars will then spend five weeks at a public interest organization of their choosing. Participating organizations include Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, CIVIC, VOLS Microenterprise Project, Genesis and Whitman Walker.

Akin pro bono partner Steven Schulman said, “We are proud to have these five impressive law students join the Pro Bono Scholars Program. Since our first summer 15 years ago, well more than 100 law students have become Pro Bono Scholars, using the opportunity to start impressive legal careers that include a deep commitment to serving others.  Leah, Abby, Courtney, Haofei and Juliette will I’m sure follow that example and serve their communities well.”

The five Pro Bono Scholars, their resident Akin office, and their law schools are as follows:

Akin is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

###