Graves McLain is Proud to Contribute to the American Association for Justice Minority Caucus Richard D. Hailey Scholarship

Graves McLain is committed to the recruitment and hiring of minority lawyers who reflect the cultures, values and diversity of our clients, and bring different perspectives to solving problems for our clients and our community.  This starts with providing minority law students with equal opportunities necessary to succeed.

Partner, Rachel Gusman, is currently serving as chair of the Minority Caucus for the American Association of Justice (AAJ). AAJ’s Minority Caucus, which was founded in 1992, helps to develop and recommend educational opportunities, networking programs, and more for minority trial lawyers across the country. AAJ’s Minority Caucus seeks to support minority trial lawyers and to increase minority participation within leadership roles both in the courtroom and in our communities.

To further AAJ’s Minority Caucus’s mission, Graves McLain is honored to contribute $2,500 towards the Richard D. Hailey Scholarship. Encouraging and supporting the next generation of lawyers is something that the attorneys at Graves McLain strongly believe in. Below, Attorney Gusman shares a few words about the donation, and how it impacts law students’ lives.

Through the Richard D. Hailey Scholarship, established in the name of the first African-American President of AAJ, the Minority Caucus provides an award of $5,000 to a minority law student member who is entering into his or her first, second, or third year of law school. Applicants must be AAJ student law members. This individual will be given the opportunity to attend the AAJ Annual Convention, at which the award will be presented. This year the July conference will be held virtually in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The recipient will be the applicant who:

• Shows a financial need for the scholarship award
• Promotes accountability and safety
• Exhibits an interest and proficiency of skills in trial advocacy
• Expresses a desire to represent those who have been injured by the negligence or misconduct of others
• Demonstrates a commitment to AAJ and dedication to its mission through involvement in an AAJ student chapter and Minority Caucus activities.

The 2020 Richard D. Hailey Scholarship recipient will be selected in June. If you’d like to donate to the Richard D. Hailey Scholarship fund, visit:  www.justice.org/haileyscholarship.

For more information about AAJ’s mission, the Minority Caucus or to join AAJ you can contact the Membership Department at 800-424-2727 or email [email protected].