MTO Fellows Program Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary
Munger, Tolles & Olson recognized aspiring law school students who are part of the MTO Fellows Program on June 22, 2019 at a reception featuring a keynote address by U.S. Circuit Judge Richard Paez. The event celebrated the fifth year of the innovative program.
The MTO Fellows Program is an intensive 10-month initiative aimed at preparing 25-40 diverse students each year for admission to and success in law school. The event brought together current and former fellows, including members of the 2015 cohort, some of whom this year became the first program alumni to graduate from law school.
“We are committed to increasing diversity in the legal profession by providing driven and diverse students with the tools they need to thrive in law school,” said Misty M. Sanford. “We believe that if firms across the country embrace similar programs, together we can make a real impact on diversity rates, which are still far below what they should be in the legal profession.”
Anjan Choudhury, added, “We’re ecstatic to see some of our first fellows graduate this year. Five years ago, we decided to support as many aspiring law students as we can, while still being able to provide the one-on-one mentoring and support needed to make a difference. Today we see those efforts paying off for the students and the attorneys who helped guide them.”
The MTO Fellows Program provides students with a free LSAT preparation course, monthly Saturday workshops in the firm’s downtown Los Angeles office focused on success in the law school application process and law school itself, and a network of law students, practicing attorneys and others who provide support and mentorship through workshops, receptions and community events.
Munger, Tolles & Olson, which had previously offered a more limited program, expanded its Fellows Program in 2015. Fourteen students from that first class are graduating from law school this year, while more than 60 others are currently in law school or set to begin in the fall. Millions of dollars in scholarships have been awarded to these fellows since the program’s inception.
In addition to Judge Paez, speakers at the Los Angeles reception included Loyola Law School Dean Michael Waterstone, various alumni of the MTO Fellows Program, a representative from PowerScore and Munger, Tolles & Olson lawyers.
To view photos from the reception, select here.