UC Law student awarded Squire Patton Boggs Foundation fellowship to support racial justice initiatives

University of Cincinnati College of Law second-year student Sarah Jana has been selected as the Squire Patton Boggs Foundation (“The Foundation”) Sustained Impact Fellowship recipient. Competing against law student applicants from across the country, Jana was awarded the racial justice placement at Cincinnati’s Citizens Complaint Authority, where she will assist with ongoing justice initiatives.

“The racial justice challenges communities face is quite evident,” said Michael Whiteman, Interim Dean at the College of Law. “One can check the news daily and find situations where assistance is needed. That’s where these types of fellowships play a key role. They help organizations influence change and tackle issues faced by disadvantaged communities, while building the skills of a cadre of future attorneys who want to make an impact in this area of law. We’re proud of Sarah and her achievement. Her selection for this fellowship speaks to the excellence of our UC Law students and our program.”

Denise Durbin, Assistant Dean & Director for the Center for Professional Development, agreed. “We are very excited to learn that Sarah was selected for this prestigious fellowship. We have no confusion as to why the Foundation selected her. Sarah has demonstrated an intense passion for public interest work, while excelling as a law student here at UC Law. We are confident that she will develop more valuable skills and perspective to carry with her throughout her legal career!”

In response to the murder of George Floyd in June 2020, the Foundation created the Racial Justice Sustained Impact Fellowship Program, which encompasses three Fellowships focused on racial justice in the areas of police/minority community relations, juvenile justice reform in minority areas, and voting rights. Expanding upon that initiative two years later, the Foundation partnered with Cincinnati’s Citizens Complaint Authority (CCA), among several other organizations, as one of three placement sites that focus on combating systemic racism and racial injustice. The CCA uses an alternative dispute resolution perspective to resolve social conflict and improve community relations between Cincinnatians and the police.

Founded in 1833, the University of Cincinnati College of Law has the distinction of being the first law school west of the Alleghenies. From humble beginnings 175 years ago in a room above Timothy Walker’s law offices to its home today, Cincinnati Law has been on the leading edge of legal education. Thousands of lawyers have graduated from the law school, and about one-third practice in the Greater Cincinnati community, working in all areas of the law. For more information about the College of Law, visit www.law.uc.edu.

Featured top image: University of Cincinnati College of Law. Photo/provided.