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KLUGER KAPLAN TO AWARD H.T. SMITH LEGAL STUDIES SCHOLARSHIP FOR MINORITY STUDENTS

One student will receive $10,000 in financial assistance to attend a Florida law school and will receive a summer clerkship

Miami-based Kluger, Kaplan, Silverman, Katzen & Levine has launched its second annual H.T. Smith Legal Studies Scholarship to support minority law school students who have a strong connection with the South Florida community.

Named after H.T. Smith, founding director of the Trial Advocacy Program at Florida International University College of Law, Kluger Kaplan launched the scholarship in 2021 with the goal of creating a more diverse workforce and South Florida legal industry.

“Kluger Kaplan recognized that the legal community must do more to create opportunities for minority groups,” founding partner Alan J. Kluger said. “The H.T. Smith Legal Studies Scholarship is intended to support minority law school students who have a strong connection with the South Florida community, while encouraging other firms to promote diversity and inclusion in the legal industry,”

One scholarship recipient will earn $10,000 in financial assistance to attend an eligible law school in Florida and will receive a summer clerkship at the firm. Eligible universities include the University of Miami, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, St. Thomas University, Florida State University, and the University of Florida.

Preference for award of the H.T. Smith Legal Studies Scholarship is given to students entering their second year of law school who come from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups, and who are actively involved in giving back to the South Florida community through volunteer efforts or participation among local organizations.

Kluger Kaplan awarded Briana Harris, a second-year student at FIU College of Law, with the H.T. Smith Legal Studies Scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year. Harris will be joining the firm as a summer associate this year.

“Advancing diversity, inclusion and a feeling of belonging in our legal community requires intentional, coordinated, positive, action,” said H.T. Smith. “Kluger Kaplan is providing a blueprint for other law firms to create similar programs and sending a message that this type of holistic support for the advancement of racial justice will not happen by accident. It will only happen if people act with intentionality,”

To apply, applicants must submit their résumé, current school transcript, and a 500-word personal statement discussing who they are and why they are applying for the scholarship to info@klugerkaplan.com with the subject line “H.T. Smith Legal Studies Scholarship.” The deadline is June 1. Contact Laura Klein Recondo at lklein@klugerkaplan.com with any questions.