Steptoe Taps Two for Inaugural LSAT Prep Award

(April 20, 2006, Phoenix, AZ)—The Phoenix office of the international law firm Steptoe & Johnson LLP today announced the first two recipients of its inaugural Law School Aptitude Test (LSAT) prep-course sponsorship. The office launched the program this spring as another initiative to increase the diversity in the state’s legal profession.  The applicants were asked to answer an essay question that explained how their entry into law school would enhance diversity in the profession.

The 500-word essays of Whitney Harvey, an African-American honors student majoring in accounting and finance from Phoenix, and Tonal Cerreras, a Mexican and Yaqui Indian student from Maricopa, were selected from among 25 submissions for the shared honor.  Both Ms. Harvey and Mr. Cerreras are juniors at Arizona State University who plan to enter law school in 2007.

Offered in partnership with Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, the program will give each scholarship winner a comprehensive LSAT course valued at $1,250.  The course includes 10 classroom sessions led by an expert instructor, four full-length practice LSATs proctored under test-like conditions, and comprehensive materials including a copy of every available prep test.  The LSAT is required as an entrance criterion for students applying to law school.

"Steptoe is proud to launch its LSAT prep-course sponsorship program as another means of improving the representation of minority individuals in the practice of law," said Monica L. Goebel, the firm's Phoenix managing partner. "We believe it is important to increase the diversity of our profession to better reflect and address the concerns of our community.  At Steptoe, we understand that part of our creativity stems from our differences, and that to provide the very best client service, we must foster an atmosphere of inclusion and respect."

"We're pleased to partner with Steptoe to help students advance towards achieving their long-term personal and professional goals," said Steven Marietti, director of law programs at Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions. "For law school applicants in particular, the stakes are extremely high as the LSAT can account for as much as 50% of the admissions decision at some law schools."

Ms. Harvey wrote in her essay that upon completing law school she expects to have the ability to bring a multicultural approach to business, while attempting to break down barriers that have historically impeded the advancement of minority-owned businesses.  "Completing law school will give me the opportunity to serve as a bridge between corporate America and the community, and to save the world—one case at a time," she said.

Mr. Tonal wrote in his essay that he plans to become an attorney for indigenous people and eventually an Arizona politician when he graduates from law school. "I will use my legal knowledge to help serve minority populations," he said.  "I can relate to the minority populations who face the same issues that have affected me."

According to Joshua L. Waltman, an associate in Steptoe's Phoenix office who chaired the LSAT prep-course sponsorship program, Ms. Harvey and Mr. Tonal will be honored at an office-wide luncheon this summer.