BSP Law Charitable Foundation Joel Stern Scholarship
About the Scholarship
From March 2014 to February 2021, Joel Stern served as Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF). Before that, he spent more than 25 years as in-house counsel for major companies, leading nationally recognized legal programs and serving as a trusted advisor, mentor, and executive coach to business and legal leaders.
Joel exemplifies courage, perseverance, and leadership in all aspects of his life. Since being diagnosed with Stage IV renal cell carcinoma in 2020, he has continued mentoring others, advancing charitable initiatives, and demonstrating an unwavering commitment to service and excellence.
As Joel says, “With my cancer diagnosis, nothing changes, except I have more obstacles I am confronted with now.”The Joel Stern Scholarship honors his ongoing legacy by recognizing law students who demonstrate the qualities Joel embodies — resilience, integrity, and the drive to make an impact through advocacy and service.
The award provides $5,000 to a student who reflects BSP Law’s core values: striving to make oneself invaluable to colleagues and clients by taking ownership, building strong relationships, exhibiting drive to succeed, displaying exceptional talent, and being authentic and real in their work.
Eligibility Requirements
Joel Stern
To qualify for the Joel Stern Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a current law student in good academic standing at an accredited law school.
- Demonstrate commitment to excellence in advocacy, writing, or litigation-related skills.
- Exhibit leadership, mentorship, or community service that shows dedication to strengthening the legal profession and giving back to others.
In addition to qualifying for the above criteria, applicants must submit three short essays. Details as to the essays are available on the application form.
The application period for the 2026 BSP Law Charitable Foundation Joel Stern Scholarship is now open!
Interested applicants must submit their applications by 11:59 PM ET on Friday, February 13, 2026.
BSP Law is proud to announce that the 2025 recipient of the BSP Law Charitable Foundation Joel Stern Scholarship is Ghina Nimer, a 1L at Wayne State University Law School. To surprise Ghina with the news, our team invited her under the impression she was meeting for a second-round interview—only to present her with a check and announce her as this year’s winner.
At Wayne Law, Ghina is involved in a variety of student organizations, including the Arab Business Society and Women’s Law Caucus. She has shown a strong dedication to her legal studies and community involvement and represents the spirit of excellence and leadership that the scholarship seeks to recognize.
We are thrilled to support Ghina as she continues her legal education and look forward to seeing all that she will accomplish.
BSP Law is excited to announce that the 2024 BSP Law Charitable Foundation Joel Stern Scholarship has been awarded to Adriane Elinski, a law student at the University of Michigan School of Law. Our team told Adriane she would be meeting with members of the selection committee for a second-round interview, but the meeting was actually a surprise check presentation declaring her the winner!
Adriane has worked as a Student Attorney in the University of Michigan Law School Human Trafficking Clinic and the University of Michigan Law School Veterans Legal Clinic. Most recently, Adriane was a Summer Associate at a Detroit-based law firm.
BSP Law believes that Adriane embodies Joel Stern’s commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal industry.
BSP Law is excited to announce the second winner of the BSP Law Charitable Foundation Joel Stern Scholarship. Congratulations to Viveca Burnette!
Viveca is a Member of the Seattle University Law Review, a Faculty Standards Representative for the Student Bar Association, the Community Services Director for the Black Law Students Association, and a Student Representative for Seattle University’s School of Law Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
Our team told Viveca she would be meeting with members of the selection committee for a second-round interview, but it was actually a surprise check presentation declaring her the winner!
BSP Law is excited to announce the first winner of the BSP Law Joel Stern Scholarship. Congratulations to Gabrielle Mangru Delgado! Gabrielle is a former Army officer and a second-year student at the University of North Carolina School of Law.
In the Army, Gabrielle volunteered to help soldiers and their families through food drives, toy drives, and coat collections/distributions. Gabrielle was the highest ranked female in an 800-person Army unit.
While in law school, Gabrielle continues to give back through her pro bono work. She has worked with the Innocence Project, the Driver’s License Restoration Project, and a South Carolina nonprofit aimed at providing resources to foster children aging out of the system. Gabrielle also holds leadership positions in both the Asian American Law Students Association and Women-in-Law organization at the University of North Carolina School of Law.
We are so happy to support Gabrielle on her path to become a pioneer in her field!