In keeping with our commitment to inclusion, we created the Racial Justice Initiative (RJI) Scholars program in 2021 — one year after the formation of the firm’s RJI. The program offers 1L students from select New York City-area law schools an opportunity to kick-start their legal careers by exposing them to the practice of law in a real-world setting with supervision and support from the firm’s lawyers.

  • RJI Scholars are invited to participate in the following:
  • Limited-scope clinics and projects connected to the firm’s RJI
  • Monthly racial justice conversations
  • A presentation from our Professional Development team focused on interview and resume preparation
  • A conversation with lawyers committed to the RJI
  • Firmwide inclusion-themed programming

RJI Scholars program applicants must be enrolled at one of the following law schools: Brooklyn Law School, Cardozo School of Law, Columbia Law School, Fordham University School of Law, Hofstra University School of Law, NYU School of Law or St. John’s University School of Law. They must have successfully completed their first semester of a full-time JD program by the program’s spring start date, with an expected graduation date within three years.

The RJI Scholars program invites applications from students who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting inclusion in their community or school, high academic achievement, leadership ability and strong oral and written communication skills.

Applications must be submitted via the link below by January 5, 2026. Note that there is no advantage to applying early — stay focused on fall classes! Required materials:

  • Resume
  • 500-word personal statement describing your interest in becoming an RJI Scholar as well as your commitment to enhancing inclusion in your community, your school and/or the legal profession
Access the 2026 RJI Scholars program application

Why should I apply?

By becoming an RJI Scholar, you will have the opportunity to directly engage with RJI projects and limited-scope clinics that advance inclusion and racial justice. Additionally, the program presents an opportunity for selected 1Ls to engage in experiential learning in advance of their second year of law school, which may provide a significant competitive advantage.

What role will I play in projects and limited-scope clinics?

RJI Scholars will be part of client meetings and lawyer strategy sessions, assist with note-taking and provide other support as directed by HSF Kramer supervising lawyers. RJI Scholars will also be able to conduct research and draft memos on critical topics. In both cases, RJI Scholars will have the opportunity to receive feedback and participate in debrief sessions with their supervising lawyers.

What is the program’s estimated time commitment?

Aside from the general orientation for all RJI Scholars that takes place early in the spring semester, we expect RJI Scholars to spend approximately three to four hours each month participating in racial justice conversations, clinics, projects and on-site professional development opportunities.

The RJI was launched in 2020 to demonstrate the firm’s commitment to racial justice in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. The RJI encourages HSF Kramer lawyers and business services professionals to pursue pro bono work focused on assisting communities that have historically been, and continue to be, adversely impacted by racism, including in the areas of voting rights, housing, civil rights and race discrimination.

HSF Kramer has taken on impact litigation to support civil justice, preserve voter rights and combat racially discriminatory changes to immigration laws. Among other efforts, our lawyers and business services professionals file appeals to prevent the names of individuals from being wrongfully included in a gang database and host monthly pro bono clinics to assist low- and lower-income entrepreneurs in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx. More than 150 members of the HSF Kramer team are involved across our US offices and practice areas.

Ekow Bentsi-Enchill

Which law school do you attend?
Fordham Law School

What is your expected year of graduation?
2028

What type of law are you interested in practicing?
Intellectual Property

Why did you choose to apply to become an RJI Scholar?
My interest and desire to learn from different viewpoints, experiences, and cultures led me to apply to be an RJI Scholar.

In a few sentences, describe what you've hoped to gain from the program.
I hope to gain more cultural awareness from this program and learning from diverse perspectives and experiences.

 

Lemachi Enweremadu

Which law school do you attend?
Brooklyn Law

What is your expected year of graduation?
2028

What type of law are you interested in practicing?
Real Estate; M&A

Why did you choose to apply to become an RJI Scholar?
As a former Co-president of Cornell's Black Students United and current treasurer for Brooklyn's BLSA, naturally, I was attracted to HSF's dedication to racial justice in the form of this program. In addition, I took interest in gaining experience from the small business clinics and seeing how attorneys assess the needs of growing business, especially in communities densely populated with minorities.

In a few sentences, describe what you've hoped to gain from the program.
I hoped to connect with attorneys and learn from their various experiences ranging from M&A and commercial litigation. I hoped to see how attorneys in litigation navigate with cultural awareness.

 

Malcom Iyizoba

Which law school do you attend?
Fordham School of Law

What is your expected year of graduation?
2028

What type of law are you interested in practicing?
Real Estate Law or Trust and Estate Law 

Why did you choose to apply to become an RJI Scholar?
I chose to apply to become an RJI scholar because it will allow me to connect with leaders in the legal field who are serious about creating a more equitable society. From my time working with immigrants and low-income students, I saw how confusing and inaccessible the system can be even for people who are trying to do everything right. I wanted a program that would push me to engage those gaps directly.

In a few sentences, describe what you've hoped to gain from the program.
Through the program, I hope to get closer to what racial justice work looks like in practice. I want to see how lawyers approach these problems day to day and how small decisions affect people who rely on the system. I also want to figure out how to use my own path to create more access over time. The RJI Scholars Program will provide me with a structured and guided way to effectuate change now rather than waiting until after law school.

 

Amira Motair

Which law school do you attend?
St. John's Law

What is your expected year of graduation?
2028

What type of law are you interested in practicing?
Public Interest

Why did you choose to apply to become an RJI Scholar?
I am passionate about contributing to the diversity of the legal field, and opening doors for more representation. 

In a few sentences, describe what you've hoped to gain from the program.
I hope to gain an understanding on how diversity operates on multiple levels through the legal field, and how to use my privilege for good. 

 

Dylan Springer

Which law school do you attend?
Fordham University School of Law

What is your expected year of graduation?
2028

What type of law are you interested in practicing?
Commercial litigation (especially any cross-border disputes) and international arbitration, including investor-state matters.

Why did you choose to apply to become an RJI Scholar?
I wanted the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations and pro bono work.

In a few sentences, describe what you've hoped to gain from the program.
The conversations have already proven to be very rewarding, and I hope to continue assisting with the firm's pro bono research. Currently, I'm helping to compile information on how the current administration is using Asylum Cooperative Agreements as part of the firm's effort to assist pro bono immigration clients. 
 

 

Kate Walsch

Which law school do you attend?
Brooklyn Law School

What is your expected year of graduation?
2028

What type of law are you interested in practicing?
Litigation. In particular, I'm interested in exploring appellate or class action litigation.

Why did you choose to apply to become an RJI Scholar?
I chose to become an RJI scholar because I wanted to join a community with fellow aspiring lawyers who share my values and dedication to advancing social justice. I was also excited by the opportunity to get firsthand experience with pro bono work to begin making a tangible difference. 

In a few sentences, describe what you've hoped to gain from the program.
After reading about the program, I knew it was something made for people like me. Not a lot of firms, especially larger firms, give opportunities like this to law students that allow collaboration on current issues involving racial disparities and injustice. That is a huge passion of mine and coincides with being a law student every day, yet it’s not talked about enough. I knew that a program like this would allow me to deepen my understanding of racial justice as well as networking with like-minded people. 

 

Aspen White

Which law school do you attend?
Brooklyn Law School

What is your expected year of graduation?
2028

What type of law are you interested in practicing?
International Arbitration, Mediation, Regulatory law, Administrative law. 

Why did you choose to apply to become an RJI Scholar?
After reading about the program, I knew it was something made for people like me. Not a lot of firms, especially larger firms, give opportunities like this to law students that allow collaboration on current issues involving racial disparities and injustice. That is a huge passion of mine and coincides with being a law student every day, yet it’s not talked about enough. I knew that a program like this would allow me to deepen my understanding of racial justice as well as networking with like-minded people. 

In a few sentences, describe what you've hoped to gain from the program.
Collaboration is one of my main goals. As previously stated above, not every student gets the opportunity to do so, and I knew that if chosen, I would need to take every opportunity possible to work with other students/ attorneys. Knowledge is a great power, but it does not always come from books or the internet. I hope to be able to hear from other people’s ideas or experiences to broaden my own understanding and inspiration on how to tackle any form of injustice in the real world. Also, law school and the legal field in general has become increasingly more difficult to navigate. Because of this, I hope to find a sense of home at HSF Kramer and use the firm as a tool for my future career and educational endeavors. 

 

Key contacts

Nada M. Llewellyn photo

Nada M. Llewellyn

Global Head of Inclusion & Wellbeing, New York

Jamie A. Porco photo

Jamie A. Porco

Director, Professional Development and Pro Bono Programs, US, New York

Matthew Pucciarelli photo

Matthew Pucciarelli

Associate Director of Inclusion, US, New York