Ballard Spahr has announced that the firm's second annual Diversity Scholarship to the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University has been awarded to Xiaoyi "Kelly" Fan, a first-year law student.
As the 2017-18 Ballard Spahr Diversity Scholar, Ms. Fan, of Rockville, Maryland, will receive a $25,000 scholarship for a year of tuition. She was selected based on her exceptional academic, professional, personal, and community-service achievements and background. Ballard Spahr launched the annual scholarship last year through a $125,000 gift to the law school as part of the firm's celebration of the 10th anniversary of its Phoenix office. The law school is in the midst of an exciting new era, having moved last year into state-of-the-art new space at the Beus Center for Law and Society in downtown Phoenix, where one of the rooms is named for Ballard Spahr in recognition of the gift.
"We're excited for Kelly and so happy to play a role in her promising future," said John G. Kerkorian, Managing Partner of Ballard Spahr's Phoenix office. "It's an honor to provide this opportunity to diverse law students and to give back to the community that has supported us for more than a decade."
"I am deeply honored to receive the Diversity Scholarship," Ms. Fan said. "I look forward to dedicating the next several years to prepare for a career that will help people protect their legal rights."
Ms. Fan has a bachelor's degree from China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing and worked as a paralegal at a Chinese law firm in the capital city before attending Duquesne University in Pittsburgh to earn a master's degree in communications. Before starting law school in August, she worked as a public relations specialist at the National Foundation for Cancer Research in Bethesda, Maryland.
"The Diversity Scholarship is part of Ballard Spahr's commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession—in Phoenix and nationwide," said Virginia G. Essandoh, the firm's Chief Diversity Officer. "It is our privilege to team with the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law to support recruitment and retention of exceptional students like Kelly, who will contribute to the diversity and inclusion of the legal field as they advance in their careers."
Ballard Spahr's Phoenix office comprises more than 35 attorneys across all departments of the firm, serving clients in matters involving litigation, real estate, business and finance, public finance, and intellectual property.
About Ballard Spahr
Ballard Spahr LLP, an Am Law 100 law firm with more than 550 lawyers in 13 offices in the United States, provides a range of services in litigation, business and finance, real estate, intellectual property, and public finance. Our clients include Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, life sciences and technology companies, health systems, investors and developers, government agencies, media companies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The firm combines a national scope of practice with strong regional market knowledge. For more information, please visit www.ballardspahr.com.
