Farella Braun + Martel Announces 2005 Diversity Scholarship Recipients

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (May 3, 2005):  Farella Braun + Martel LLP has awarded five first-year students at Bay Area law schools Diversity Scholarships totaling $25,000. Each student will receive a $5,000 scholarship. 

The awards, announced recently by the firm’s Diversity Committee, are offered each year to first-year law students from socially and ethnically diverse backgrounds attending the University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall), the University of California (Hastings), the University of California, Davis (King Hall), Santa Clara University, Golden Gate University, the University of San Francisco and Stanford Law School. 

This is the fifth year that Farella Braun + Martel has awarded diversity scholarships to Bay Area law students. The recipients were selected based on a variety of factors, including academic accomplishments, ability to balance school with other activities, financial need and demonstrated commitment to serving both the legal profession and the community.

The firm’s Diversity Committee focuses its efforts on promoting diversity both within the firm and in the community at large.  Through educational workshops on diversity awareness, roundtable discussions, and other events directed to increase diversity within the firm, the Diversity Committee strives to foster an environment where everyone has equal access to opportunities for personal and professional growth.  The Diversity Committee also extends its support for diversity to the community by contributing to local and national organizations that advance diversity issues, sponsoring minority law student groups, and participating in pro bono activities that assist people from diverse communities and disadvantaged backgrounds.

"In addition to their outstanding academic, extracurricular and personal accomplishments, this year’s recipients have clearly dedicated themselves to the betterment of their communities through public service," said James H. Colopy, who co-chairs the firm's Diversity Committee with associate Ruth Ann Castro. "We are delighted to award these well-deserved scholarships as part of our ongoing efforts to promote diversity in our profession."

The five recipients of the 2005 Farella Braun + Martel Diversity Scholarships are:

Deepika Bains:

Deepika is a student at UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall. Prior to entering law school, she served as an intern for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and as a community organizer for the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition.  Deepika has been and continues to be involved with organizations such as the California Asylum Refugee Clinic and Feed with Flex (a program Deepika founded to urge students to use extra meal plan funds to buy food for a homeless shelter).  Deepika will be spending the summer working at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Tam Bui:

Tam attends UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall. In addition to being a Fulbright Scholar, she has published two articles on the Vietnamese community in the Silicon Valley and served as an intern for Governor Gray Davis.  Tam will spend her summer interning at the Export-Import Bank of the United States in Washington D.C.

Sushila Chanana:

Sushila attends UC Hastings Law School and concurrently does online coursework at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society (Harvard Law School).  In addition to founding UC Berkeley chapter of INROADS (an organization that recruits diverse students for corporate internships), Sushila founded and served as president of a support group for victims of domestic violence.  Sushila will spend her summer clerking for Justice Ronald Boyd Robie of the California Court of Appeals, Third Appellate District, and for Judge David Krashna of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda.

Tina Naicker:

Tina is a student at UC Hastings Law School.  Tina graduated with honors from UC Santa Barbara and mentored at-risk youth though her involvement with the Fresh Lifelines for Youth (F.L.Y.) program.

Bryant Yang:

Bryant attends UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall.  Prior to entering law school, Bryant conducted research on HIV employment discrimination in South Africa, served as a Police Review Commissioner, and provided consultation services to the World Bank.  Bryant has been named one of the "Top 30 Under 30 Most Influential Asian Pacific Americans" by Political Circus. 

About Farella Braun + Martel LLP

Since its founding in 1962, Farella Braun + Martel has achieved a national reputation for the acumen of its business practice, the high profile cases of its complex commercial litigation practice and its prestigious client base. Based in San Francisco, the firm serves a broad range of clients from multinational corporations to emerging businesses. The firm also has an office in the Napa Valley focused on the wine industry and related businesses.   

Press Contacts: 
James Colopy
Co-Chair, Diversity Committee
415.954.4978

Cheryl Loof
Marketing Manager
415.954.4433