Florida Law School Students Receive Becker & Poliakoff Diversity Fellowships

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwire - Apr 19, 2012) - Becker & Poliakoff today announced that 2^nd year law students at the University of Miami and the University of Florida are recipients of its First Annual Diversity Fellowship Awards.

Jennifer Davis-Jumbo, who attends the University of Miami School of Law, and Raciel Perez, who attends the University of Florida Levin College of Law, each will receive a $5,000 tuition scholarship and a paid summer internship at one of Becker& Poliakoff's Florida offices.

"Promoting diversity is an important part of our firm's values and a key element in our firm's success," said Gary Rosen, Managing Shareholder, Becker & Poliakoff. "We take enormous pride in this new Fellowship program. It is designed to encourage and support diversity in the legal profession by attracting and supporting future leaders who are committed to this important goal."

The annual competition for 2^nd year law school students require that recipients have outstanding academic credentials, demonstrate leadership ability and commitment to public service, and have made meaningful contributions to the diversity of their community.

A Chicago native who served in the U.S. Army during the Gulf War, Ms. Davis-Jumbo received her BS in Nursing from Florida A&M University and MA in Health Service Administration from Florida International University and worked in healthcare administration prior to enrolling in law school. She provides pro bono assistance to children and young adults in Florida's foster care system and participates in the Honey Shine program which provides mentoring to young African American girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Mr. Perez graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Florida with a degree in Finance after emigrating to the U.S. from his native Cuba in 2005. Mr. Perez is active in civic volunteerism and served on the executive board of the Cuban American Student Association at the USF. Currently he serves in the Volunteer Income Taxpayer Assistance program (VITA) at UF Law where he is a Quality Reviewer, ensuring that all tax returns are accurately completed and filed.

The Fellowships were presented in April at ceremonies at both law schools attended by a group of Becker & Poliakoff attorneys, including Yolanda Cash Jackson, a member of the firm's management committee and leader of the firm's diversity initiatives.

Ms. Davis-Jumbo and Mr. Perez will intern in the firm's Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa offices, respectively.

Details about the 2013 Fellowships, including how to submit an entry, will be announced in September when the next school year begins.

About Becker & Poliakoff

Becker & Poliakoff is a diverse commercial law firm with more than 145 attorneys and lobbyists in a total of 15 domestic and international offices. Celebrating its fortieth (40th) year of serving clients, the firm has seven primary areas of practice: Real Estate, Construction Law & Litigation, Community Association, Customs & International Trade, Business Litigation, Corporate & Securities, and Government Law & Lobbying. For more about the firm, visit: www.becker-poliakoff.com, or, www.becker-poliakoff.com/blogs/ to access forums on the latest ideas and opinions on legal matters hosted by Becker & Poliakoff attorneys.