This summer, Edelmira Diaz, MSW, a third year law student at UC Hastings College of the Law, participated in the Hispanic National Bar Association’s (HNBA) Legal Action Education Program (LEAP). As a law counselor, Diaz attended the week long program in June in Los Angeles.

In 2011, Diaz was awarded the Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship. For the past fifteen years the scholarship has been awarded to minority students accepted to an accredited Northern California law school. The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage and recognize the importance of increasing diversity within the legal practice. Since then Diaz has used her legal education to inspire others.

According to the HNBA, currently there are less than 10% of Hispanics enrolled in law school. The HNBA states that LEAP is being launched because it is imperative that the legal and business community take concrete steps to propel Hispanic students to achieve a graduate education in law and inform students of the many careers they may pursue with a law degree.

According to the HNBA, currently there are less than 10% of Hispanics enrolled in law school.

LEAP is open to 25 high school students ages 14 to 17. Student participants have demonstrated the intention of achieving higher education, leadership qualities and an interest in various fields including law, education, public service and business.

As a law counselor, Diaz’ personal experience as a Hispanic female law student provided participants with the opportunity to see other young Hispanic individuals excel in the legal profession. Components of the program included both academic and recreational activities. She participated in several programs including law school lectures, mock trial preparation, field trips to local legal agencies and interviews with prominent legal leaders in the community.

For more information about the Bay Area Minority Law Student scholarship program, email Nicole Britton-Snyder at nbrittonsnyder@sfbar.org.