Understanding the critical need for increasing diversity in the legal profession, the Foundation is launching a new scholarship program in 2008 to bolster the pipeline of racial and ethnic minorities entering law school and, ultimately, becoming lawyers. Although California's overall population is more than 53% minority, only 17% of the State Bar membership and approximately 30% of California law students are minorities. The Diversity Scholarship Program will provide critical financial assistance and confidence-building recognition to law students from communities underrepresented in the legal profession during the challenging first year of law school. Incoming first-year students at California law schools who have financial need and a desire to make an impact in the community will be eligible to receive scholarships of up to $7,500.

Donors to the Diversity Scholarship Fund make three-year, $10,000 per year commitments. In recognition of its gift, each donor is able to "name" one of the Diversity Scholarships each year for the duration of the pledge commitment and present the awards at the Foundation's annual Scholarship Reception, held each fall in conjunction with the State Bar Annual Meeting. Donors also receive enhanced recognition as a member of the Foundation's Leadership Circle.

We deeply thank the following donors who have made 2011 commitments to the Diversity Scholarship Fund:

Calvo Fisher & Jacob LLP
Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP
Fenwick & West LLP
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Fredrick and Christine Brown
Girardi & Keese
Howard Rice
Keesal, Young & Logan, A Professional Corporation
Lim Ruger Foundation
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Morrison & Foerster LLP
The Morrison & Foerster Foundation
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe Foundation
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
The Sidley Austin Foundation
SNR Denton
Southern California Edison, An Edison International Company
Southern California Gas Company and San Diego Gas & Electric
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Foundation

For information on giving to the Diversity Scholarship Fund, please contact Leslie Hatamiya, Executive Director, at lhatamiya@calbarfoundation.org or (415) 856-0780 ext. 303.