Robinson Scholars Program aims to increase diversity in legal education
Named after slain civil rights leader, initiative will assist those seeking to work in public interest
Athens, Ga. - The University of Georgia School of Law has created the Robinson Scholars Program, which will benefit underrepresented student populations with ties to Georgia. The program is named in memory of 1974 alumnus Robert E. "Robbie" Robinson, a civil and human rights attorney who was tragically killed in 1989 by politically motivated mail bombs that were sent to his Savannah office.
"Robbie Robinson represented many individuals who could not afford an attorney, was active in the NAACP and served as an alderman for the city of Savannah before his death," School of Law Dean Peter B. "Bo" Rutledge said. "The Robinson Scholars Program is a way the School of Law can honor this legal leader by assisting students - in particular those with a desire to pursue public interest work - as they follow their dreams to work in and benefit their communities."
The Robinson Scholars Program is funded by UGA's New Approaches in Diversity and Inclusion initiative. Private donations received from the Office of the President will be matched by private law school funding to support the program, which will focus on several key areas: recruitment, preparation for law school, advancing diversity in the legal profession and increasing access to justice in legally underserved communities.
"The UGA School of Law strives to ensure that our student body - and consequently new lawyers beginning their careers - is representative of today's society," Rutledge said. "Programs such as this will break down some of the barriers that exist to entering law school, not only through financial support but by creating an environment where support is more readily available for these students as they begin law school as well as throughout their legal educations."
The first Robinson Scholars - Luis G. Chavez, Kayla Hope and Ashleigh Rasheed-Britt - began their legal studies earlier this month.
In addition to the Robinson Scholars, the law school in 2018 created the Benham Scholars Program through the New Approaches in Diversity and Inclusion initiative. Named in honor of the second African American to graduate from the School of Law - Georgia Supreme Court Justice Robert Benham - this program serves individuals who hail from or show a demonstrated intent to practice in legally underserved communities.
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Writer/Contact: Lona Panter, 706-542-5172, lonap@uga.edu
An image of Luis G. Chavez, Kayla Hope and Ashleigh Rasheed-Britt is online at https://news.uga.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Robinson-Scholars.jpg
Cutline: The first Robinson Scholars (from left) - Luis G. Chavez, Kayla Hope and Ashleigh Rasheed-Britt - began their legal studies earlier this month.
This release is online at https://news.uga.edu/robinson-scholars-program-diversity-legal-education/
UGA School of Law
Established in 1859, the School of Law is consistently regarded as one of the nation's top law schools. The school is proud of its longstanding commitment to preparing the next generation of legal leaders and ensuring a strong return on investment for its three degrees - the Juris Doctor, the Master of Laws and the Master in the Study of Law. The school's accomplished faculty includes nationally and internationally renowned scholars, and its more than 10,000 living graduates are leading figures in law, business and public service throughout the world. Connecting students to these thought leaders and opportunities to serve state and society is central to the school's mission. For more information, see www.law.uga.edu.