About the Scholarship

From March 2014 to February 2021, Joel Stern served as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF). Founded in 2001, NAMWOLF, is a nonprofit trade association comprised of over 195 minority and women owned law firms in 42 states. NAMWOLF’s mission is to promote diversity in the legal profession by fostering successful relationships among preeminent minority and women owned law firms and private/public entities. Prior to his position at NAMWOLF, Joel spent more than 25 years as in-house counsel for major companies. Throughout his career, Joel created and led award-winning diversity and inclusion legal programs and was a trusted advisor and executive coach to both businesses and legal executives.

Joel Stern is an individual who exemplifies courage in both his work and professional life. In November 2020, Joel was diagnosed with Stage IV Renal Cell Carcinoma. Even so, he continues his dedicated work and support of charitable and diversity, equity, and inclusion-related initiatives. Joel Stern says, “With my cancer diagnosis, nothing changes, except I have more obstacles I am confronted with now.”

In recognition of Joel’s passion and leadership in the effort to create and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession, the BSP Law Charitable Foundation Joel Stern Scholarship seeks to provide financial support to students from diverse backgrounds who contribute to the diversity of their law school student body as they pursue their legal career.

Eligibility Requirements

Joel Stern

To qualify for the BSP Law Charitable Foundation Joel Stern Scholarship, you must fit the below criteria:

• Current law student (1L, 2L, or 3L) enrolled and in good standing at a law school
• Like Joel Stern, candidate must demonstrate extraordinary commitment and dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion through volunteer work, charity, mentorship, etc.
• Candidate must come from a historically underrepresented background

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.

Applications for the BSP Law Charitable Foundation Joel Stern Scholarship open on November 28, 2022. To apply, please complete this form by February 17, 2023.

If you have any questions about the scholarship, email scholarship@bsplaw.com.

Joel Stern Scholarship Winner 2022

BSP Law is excited to announce the first winner of the BSP Law Charitable Foundation 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.

BSP had the chance to sit down with Gabrielle to discuss her future plans. Check out the video below.