Winstead Announces Winners of the 2010 Scholarships Targeting Diverse Candidates

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Apr 16, 2010, 01:27 ET

DALLAS, Apr. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Winstead PC, a full-service business law firm, selected the three recipients of the Winstead Juris Doctor Scholarship program, a program designed to benefit outstanding first-year minority law students. The scholarship recipients are Carrie Nie, a student at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law; Joseph Guajardo, a student from the University of Houston Law Center; and James Wang, a student from the University of Texas School of Law.

Each Winstead scholarship recipient will receive up to $18,500 in grants and hiring bonuses, and a position in the 2011 Winstead Summer Associate Program. In addition, each recipient is entitled to select a law school student interest group to receive a grant of $1,500. This year, the recipients of these grants are the SMU Asian Pacific American Law Students Association on behalf of Nie; the UH Hispanic Law Students Association on behalf of Guajardo; and the UT Asian Law Students Association on behalf of Wang.

"We are very pleased to continue offering this scholarship program at Winstead. It gives us a rich opportunity to meet and hire exceptional law students with diverse backgrounds who bring new perspectives and energy to Winstead," said Kathy Lindauer, chair of Winstead's Diversity Committee. "The attorneys at Winstead are looking forward to working with these three law students and providing them with a meaningful and rewarding experience as summer associates."

Winstead initiated its scholarship program in 2008, with a goal of assisting exceptional first-year minority law students at The University of Texas School of Law, The University of Houston Law Center, and Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. The scholarship selection process begins with a written application, a 500 word personal statement, a transcript of first-semester grades, and the candidate's resume. Winstead attorneys undertake detailed reviews of the applications, conduct follow up interviews with finalists from each school and select the scholarship recipients.

Nie, Guajardo and Wang were honored at three separate receptions this week at the Winstead offices in Austin, Dallas and Houston. The receptions gave Winstead attorneys and clients a chance to meet the scholarship winners and their family members, and to celebrate their accomplishments and future positions as summer associates at the firm.

Nie is a member of SMU's Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, a Dean's Scholarship recipient, and is fluent in both French and Mandarin Chinese. Guajardo graduated from the University of Houston with a B.A. in marketing and a minor in international studies. He is a member of UH's Hispanic Law Students Association and an avid runner. Wang is a member of UT's Asian Law Students Association, and a staff member of the American Journal of Criminal Law. Wang previously worked for IBM as a software engineer, where he received the Early Tenure Inventor Award.

Winstead is among the largest business law firms in Texas. Winstead attorneys and consultants serve as trusted advisors to mid-market and large businesses, providing a core range of legal services that are critical to their operation and success. From its well-known reputation in real estate and financial services to its corporate and high-stakes litigation practice, Winstead delivers practical knowledge and responsive service. And it's all backed by a get-it-done attitude. Winstead has offices in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and The Woodlands, Texas; and Washington, D.C. For detailed information about Winstead, visit www.winstead.com.

SOURCE Winstead PC