Barnes & Thornburg Announces 2024 Class of Prelaw Scholars

Nine undergraduate students from across the country will participate in Barnes & Thornburg’s 2024 Prelaw Scholars Program, designed to introduce students to the legal profession and assist in their pursuit of a law degree.

In its fourth year, Barnes & Thornburg’s Prelaw Scholars Program covers the cost of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and the LSAT prep course. After students complete the LSAT, the firm covers the cost of law school applications and the credential assembly service to help simplify the law school application process. The program also includes a mentorship component, where each scholar is assigned an attorney mentor who helps guide them through the LSAT prep and law school application and selection process. To date, the Prelaw Scholars Program has aided 27 undergraduate students.

The 2024 Prelaw Scholars are:

• Daniela Alvarez, Marian University

“As a Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholar, I look forward to being mentored by experienced professionals who will guide me as I pursue my legal career,” said Alvarez. “This opportunity will provide me with the knowledge and experience necessary to succeed as an attorney.”

• Laisha Arellano, Goshen College

“I’m absolutely thrilled and immensely grateful to be joining the Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholars Program and can’t wait to start this incredible journey,” said Arellano. “Being accepted into this program is an honor and a privilege that fills me with immense enthusiasm.”

• Morsell Arghandiwal, University of California, Davis

“I am excited to be a Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholar to sharpen my networking and professional skills while guiding me toward success in law school,” said Arghandiwal. “I believe this program will allow me to become a passionate attorney dedicated to bringing harmony to the community.”

• Yanqing Lei, Wellesley College

“I felt incredibly supported and encouraged from day one during my interview with the Barnes & Thornburg lawyers,” said Lei. “As someone who is the first to apply for law school in my family, the guidance, knowledge, and resources from the Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholars Program mean the world to me.”

• Gloria Okwueze, Oglethorpe University

“I’m thrilled to be a Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholar because it offers crucial help for my LSAT prep, easing the financial strain and guiding my law school application journey,” said Okwueze. “Plus, having a mentor to navigate law school’s complexities and meet other ambitious prelaw students is incredibly exciting for the enriching experiences ahead.”

• Daniel Ortega-Mendez, University of California, Berkeley

“I am excited to become a Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholar because of the opportunity this program provides me to get a step closer to my goal of attending law school and becoming an attorney,” said Ortega-Mendez. “As a first-generation student navigating the complex higher education application process, the resources the Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholars Program provides are invaluable.”

• Kaila Thornton, University of Arizona

“I am beyond excited to be a Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholar because it has awarded me the opportunity to pursue attending law school without the worry of financial stress while applying to law school and taking the LSAT,” said Thornton. “I am excited to make connections with other like-minded prelaw students and engaged with a Barnes & Thornburg mentor to help guide me on my law school journey. I believe this opportunity will set me up for success and help pave the way for me to make an impact in the legal field.”

• Raquel Williams, University of Rochester

“I am excited to be a Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholar because it will provide me access to the next step of my professional journey as a lawyer,” said Williams. “I also get to be exposed to other prelaw scholars and a mentor who can be a resource through this complicated process.”

• Deion Ziwawo, Indiana University

“I am honored to be a Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholar because it instills in me not only that I am making the right decision to enter the legal community but that I have the resources, guidance, and support behind me to ensure that I do,” said Ziwawo.

Applicants must meet the following requirements for admission to Barnes & Thornburg’s Prelaw Scholars Program:

• Be a college junior, senior or graduate from an accredited college whose background, experience, personal attributes, and characteristics contribute to Barnes & Thornburg’s diversity, equity and inclusion commitment and goals
• Demonstrate excellent academic and personal achievement
• Plan to take the LSAT in the next 12 months
• Demonstrate financial need

With more than 800 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from offices in Atlanta, Boston, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, South Florida, Texas and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com.