Press Release
March 12, 2021

Goodwin Announces 2021 2L Diversity Student Fellows

Goodwin has announced the recipients of its 2L Diversity Fellowship Program. The program provides second-year law students from underrepresented backgrounds with awards of $15,000 each to help cover expenses for their third year of law school and includes participation in Goodwin’s 2021 summer associate program.

This year’s fellows include:

  • Elyse Pendergrass, Arizona State University
  • Carlos Martinez, UCLA

In addition, four fellowship finalists will join Goodwin’s 2021 summer associate program. These finalists include:

  • Jeffrey Toomey, Northeastern University
  • Nicole Osunsanmi, Loyola Marymount University
  • Nathaniel Perez, Santa Clara University
  • Elizabeth Song, Northwestern University

“We are thrilled to welcome this year’s 2L Diversity Fellowship recipients and finalists, each of whom has demonstrated academic excellence, outstanding leadership skills, and a commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession and beyond,” said Emily Rapalino, Goodwin’s National Hiring Partner. “With diversity, equity, and inclusion being integral to our business and core values, we know that recruiting, developing, and retaining outstanding law students and lawyers from underrepresented backgrounds allows us to break the boundaries of diversity within the legal profession and, in turn, achieve unparalleled results for our clients.”

The fellows will receive mentorship from Goodwin lawyers to help them excel in their third year of law school and prepare for their legal careers. Fellows and finalists will attend a series of events focused on networking, professional development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The 2L Diversity Fellowship program is named in honor of Goodwin’s Richard A. Soden and Paul W. Lee for their exceptional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. More information about the program is available here.