Wal-Mart In-House Legal Practice & Diversity Symposium

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart and the University of Arkansas School of Law will host an “In-House Practice & Diversity Symposium” at noon Wednesday, March 7, in the E. J. Ball Courtroom of the Leflar Law Center.

Dean Cyndi Nance will welcome the community and introduce the Wal-Mart Legal Diversity Scholarship recipient, first-year law student Lydia Trieu. Angela Washington, vice president and division general counsel of legal department administration, and Alex Vasquez, associate general counsel of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., will both speak on behalf of Wal-Mart. There will be a 45-minute panel discussion, “Is an In-House Career in Your Future?” led by Sonya Dodson, counsel in the Wal-Mart Legal Department. Media are welcome to attend the lunch, which is included as part of the event.

The Wal-Mart Legal Diversity Scholarship was established in 2004 by collaboration between the late Dean Richard B. Atkinson and Thomas Mars, executive vice president and general counsel for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and is intended to promote diversity within the legal community by providing needed financial aid to deserving law students of diverse backgrounds.

Trieu will earn a total of $12,000 in Wal-Mart scholarships over three years at the School of Law or $4,000 per year.

 “Wal-Mart is proud of its commitment to diversity.  We created diversity in our department because that’s what happens when you cast your net wide, set your standards high, and hire the best people you find.” Mars said. “The Wal-Mart legal department is pleased to support the law school by funding this scholarship.”

Nance said, “We are very grateful for the Wal-Mart Diversity Scholarship. It has played an important role in making us one of the most diverse law schools in the country. I would also like to make special mention of the efforts of our late dean, Richard Atkinson, and Tom Mars, general counsel of Wal-Mart, in making this scholarship program a reality.”