Three Hofstra Law students have been selected to participate in the New York City Bar’s 2017 Diversity Fellowship Program.
First-year students Kristen A. Acosta, Hunter Blain and Kevin Hoyos will have the opportunity to spend their summer working at one of the participating law firms and corporate law departments.
“We are exceptionally proud of Kristen, Hunter and Kevin for earning a prestigious City Bar Diversity Fellowship,” said Judge A. Gail Prudenti, interim dean. “I have every confidence they will be an asset to their employers and a credit to Hofstra Law.”
The selection criteria for the fellowship were demanding. After completing a legal writing requirement, preparing a personal statement and being interviewed by a Hofstra Law screening committee, the students were then interviewed by a panel of attorneys and other school representatives, who reviewed the candidates’ undergraduate and law school transcripts, resumes, personal statements and legal writing samples. The students were able to clear all of these hurdles and receive an assignment from one of the participating employers.
Founded in 1991, the Diversity Fellowship Program provides first-year law students from underrepresented populations the chance to spend a summer in one of New York’s leading law firms and corporate/government law departments.
More than 600 diverse and talented first-year law students from 11 New York City-area law schools have been given a rare and valuable opportunity to jump-start their careers in the law by spending their 1L summer at one of the outstanding participating law firms and corporate law departments. Hofstra Law has had 74 Diversity Fellows since the program’s inception.
Program alumni have achieved success at all levels of the professions, including as law firm partners, general counsels, assistant district attorneys, assistant attorneys general, entrepreneurs and executive directors.
About the Fellows
Kristen A. Acosta
Hometown: Whitestone, New York
Summer Placement: Bryan Cave LLP
“The New York City Bar Diversity Fellowship is the opportunity of a lifetime for a 1L. It is an honor to have been chosen for such a great opportunity, one which will allow me to not only represent my community in the corporate world but also help others in the future. I am ecstatic to gain experience in corporate law and to be working for such an amazing firm. I will be forever grateful to the Office of Career Services and the former fellows for all their help and to the New York City Bar for this opportunity.”
Hunter Blain
Hometown: Odessa, Texas
Summer Placement: Viacom Inc.
“I am both excited and honored to be selected as a New York City Bar Diversity Fellow. I look forward to experiencing corporate entertainment law firsthand at Viacom. I want to thank the Office of Career Services, the prior fellows and my friends for their support and preparation throughout the process.”
Kevin Hoyos
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Summer Placement: Brown Rudnick LLP
“The New York City Bar Diversity Fellowship is a unique opportunity to work as a 1L Summer Intern at the top firms across the country, from Fortune 100 firms to well-known banks and governmental agencies. I am beyond excited to be one of the few selected to take on this position. The help of the Office of Career Services staff and former fellows was invaluable to prepare for this rigorous and demanding process. I am beyond grateful to have firsthand experience in the practice of corporate law this summer, and it will be an experience that I will never forget.”