As a leader in intellectual property law Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP has founded the Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP Diversity Scholarship Program for minority and women law students at selected schools who are committed to pursuing a career in patent law. Scholarship recipients are not required to work at Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP, although the firm may extend to the recipient an offer of employment as a summer associate or associate, if it chooses.

The goal of the program is to increase the diversity of the patent bar, and to encourage women and minorities who have been historically underrepresented in the patent bar to pursue careers in patent law.

Students in good standing at ABA accredited law schools who are women and/or members of racial minorities may apply for a scholarship in the sum of $2,000 for a given academic year. Students may apply for scholarships in successive years, however, they may only receive one per year. Scholarships are not renewable, but recipients may reapply for a successive academic year. The scholarship funds are awarded to defray education costs such as tuition, law school fees, and books. Financial need is not a consideration.

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in life sciences, engineering, or equivalent
• Proof of enrollment in good standing at one of the listed law schools
• Demonstrated commitment to pursuing a career in patent law in a city in which Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP has an office
• Superior academic performance
• Work experience related to science, engineering or patent law
• Community service
• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Not related to or in a close personal relationship with any Firm selection committee member

Interested students should apply directly to Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP by September 15 of the year of application. Awards are made in October of the year of application. To apply, Townsend must receive the following by 5:00 p.m. on September 15, 2008:

• Completed application form for the scholarship
• Resume
• Certified copies of official transcripts for undergraduate, law school and other graduate-level education (to be sent directly by the schools)
• Applicant statement of no more than two double spaced pages in 12 point type.
• Up to three letters of recommendation (optional)
• Proof of enrollment in good standing at an eligible law school

Finalists may be invited to an in-person interview with members of the Diversity Committee, which makes the selection of scholarship recipients. Should a finalist be unable to attend a personal interview, alternative arrangements will be made to interview a finalist.

Interested students should contact Lindy Yurich, Director of Recruitment and Professional Development, Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP, Two Embarcadero Center, Eighth Floor, San Francisco, California 94111, email: mvyurich@townsend.com.