Press Release 

  NIU Law Honored for its Diversity Initiatives by the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois

October 8, 2009

DeKalb, IL--The Northern Illinois University College of Law was recognized by the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois (HLAI) at its annual JD Mentors Program Kickoff event held this year at the Chicago law firm of Hinshaw and Culbertson. NIU Law received the 2009 JD Mentors Program Award acknowledging the college’s continued commitment of its diversity initiatives.

NIU Law Dean Jennifer Rosato accepted the award and was “honored that the HLAI has recognized NIU Law’s efforts to value diversity in student admissions, faculty hiring, and outreach to alumni.” Dean Rosato was appointed dean in July 2009 and became only the second Latina law school dean in the nation. “We are proud of the community we have created and nurtured,” she added. 

The award recognized NIU Law’s participation in numerous programs including the National Latino Law Students Association since its inception in 2004; the Illinois Latino Law Students Association Forum since its inception in 2004; the Hispanic Scholarship Fund’s Steps for Success Saturdays; and its work with the ABA Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) to develop the CLEO Sophomore Summer Institute Program to help low-income, minority or disadvantaged students succeed in law school.  The Institute, held at the NIU College of Law since 2003, was the only one of its kind offered in conjunction with CLEO until similar programs patterned after the NIU Law model were recently developed. 

Also noted was NIU Law’s recognition in Princeton’s Review’s editions of Best Law Schools.  From 2005 until 2009, NIU Law was named among the Top 10 schools in the nation for having a diverse faculty.  In addition, HILA commended the College of Law on its minority recruitment efforts.  The number of Hispanic first-year students more than doubled from last year from 5 to 12 students, and the number of minority students this year is 27%, surpassing its typical average of 23%.

The Hispanic Lawyer Association of Illinois is one of the largest state bar associations representing the interests of Hispanics in the legal profession. HLAI currently represents and serves the interests of approximately 300 attorneys, judges, and law students in Illinois who come from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, including Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban American, South American and Central American legal practitioners and law students.  In 2004, HLAI established the JD Mentors Program with the goal of maximizing the number of Hispanics applying to law schools and cultivating the academic and professional success of those students.

###

For more information, contact: 
Melody Mitchell
Alumni Events & Public Relations
(815) 753-9655 or mmitchell@niu.edu