Miami University

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Eric Cook named Sidley Austin Pre-Law Scholar

05/06/2008

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Eric Cook

Eric Cook, a junior psychology and philosophy major at Miami University, is one of 36 students across the country selected to participate in the Sidley Austin Pre-Law Scholars Initiative. Pre-Law Scholars receive up to $2,500 in financial support for LSAT registration fees, application fees to law school and other preparation fees. Scholars also receive a $2,500 scholarship during their senior year.

Cook, from Cincinnati, hopes to gain admission to law school next year at one of only a few that offers a specialized dual degree, a JD/PH.D. in social psychology.

"Eric reveals a passion for the law - this is his first step on his journey into a great profession with a tradition of service," explains Todd Bailey (Markley Visiting Professor, business legal studies and of counsel for Frost Brown Todd, LLC.), Cook's faculty mentor.

The Sidley Austin Pre-Law Scholars Initiative is open to minority college juniors and seniors who show academic promise, have financial need and plan to attend law school. This year, Miami was added to the list of 31 schools given "Tier 1" status by the Initiative, which gives preference to one student from the school each year, said Yvette Simpson, director of the pre-law program at Miami.

Sidley Austin is one of the world's largest law firms. Miami's pre-law program, established last year, is designed to supplement pre-law students' learning and practical experience, regardless of their major.

Miami's participation in the Sidley Austin Pre-Law Scholars Initiative is one of several partnerships initiated by the program to further the goals established by the American Bar Association's Diversity Pipeline Initiative, said Simpson.

For more information about the pre-law program, go to www.cas.muohio.edu/prelaw/index.html or contact Simpson at prelaw@muohio.edu. For more on the Sidley Austin Pre-Law Scholars Initiative, go to www.sidleyscholars.com .