California Bar Foundation Selects Downey Brand Diversity Scholar for 2017

November 6, 2017

Downey Brand is pleased to announce that the California Bar Foundation has selected Estela Barajas from the University of California, Davis School of Law as the Downey Brand Diversity Scholar for 2017.

“This scholarship will provide much needed financial support as I pursue my goals of becoming an attorney and making a greater impact in my community,” said Barajas. “One of my greatest passions is to serve underrepresented communities and I am excited at the opportunities that my legal education will provide.” Barajas was one of 35 rising first-year law students to receive a Diversity Scholarship this year.

The California Bar Foundation Diversity Program seeks college graduates from ethnically diverse backgrounds who aspire to be the next generation of game-changing, activist lawyers. Funded by California’s top law firms, companies, and organizations that understand the importance of diversity in the legal profession, the Diversity Program has been providing financial support and recognition to incoming first-year law students since 2008.

Since graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles, Barajas—the daughter of immigrant field workers—has spent the last 10 years serving some of the most underserved regions in California. Most recently, she has dedicated her time working with the Asian American Drug Abuse Program Inc., a non-profit organization that helps previously imprisoned individuals rejoin society.