Marcos Perez Named 2023-24 Mitchell Williams Legal Diversity Fellow

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Dean Cynthia Nance has named Marcos Perez the 2023-24 Mitchell Williams Legal Diversity Fellow at the U of A School of Law. Perez was selected in recognition of his consistent pro bono service, significant leadership potential and his work with the National Hispanic Institute.

"Mitchell Williams is committed to supporting the University of Arkansas School of Law in its diversity initiatives," said Melissa Bandy, chief diversity officer at Mitchell Williams. "The MW Legal Diversity Fellow is an opportunity to advance diversity in the legal profession through mentorship, recruitment, programming and working with the school's administration to foster a culture of inclusion and belonging. We are excited to support Marcos Perez and his commitment to developing initiatives to support a diverse legal profession."

This is the second year of the Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates, and Woodyard PLLC commitment to fund a diversity fellow at the school. Each year the dean selects a student with a demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity to serve in this role during his or her third year of law school. Any student wishing to apply must submit a resume and statement of interest. The title, along with a stipend, recognizes and supports exemplary students with the aim of keeping the importance of diversity in the forefront of the minds of members of the law school community.

"Thanks to the support of Mitchell Williams, I will have the ability to assist the University of Arkansas to continue their diversity efforts," Perez said. "As a non-traditional Latino student, I find constant reminders of the lack of access to legal professionals within my community. In this day and age, it is crucially important to increase efforts to diversify the legal community, and I feel privileged to be able to assist with these efforts."

"Marcos' commitment to the community is admirable," said Greneda Johnson, director of community engagement at the School of Law. "His dedication to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion will not only enrich the legal profession, but will be instrumental in creating an environment where our students feel valued, respected and empowered to succeed. We are very thankful to Mitchell Williams for funding the fellowship."

Perez is a current staff editor of the Arkansas Law Review and was a Rose Law Firm 200th Anniversary Public Service Fellow this past summer. As a fellow, he worked on the Summer Judicial Internship Diversity Project for the Honorable Rebecca Rutherford, magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. He is the recipient of the Judge Thomas F. Butt Legal Excellence Award in Legal Research and Writing and received the highest grade in his section. His professor named him the "Best Oralist" in the course. Perez actively volunteers with the National Hispanic Institute Inc. and serves as the educational director of the Midwest Great Debate for the organization. He was a member of the American Undergraduate Moot Court Association from 2014 through 2022 and is a 2016 graduate of the University of North Texas and holds a B.A. in political science.

About the School of Law: The law school offers a competitive J.D. as well as an advanced LL.M. program, which are taught by nationally recognized faculty. The school offers unique opportunities for students to participate in pro bono work, externships, live client clinics, competitions, and food and agriculture initiatives. The school strives to identify, discuss, and challenge issues of race, color, ethnicity, and the impact(s) they have on students, faculty, and staff members in an effort to achieve a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community. From admitting the Six Pioneers who were the first African American students to attend law school in the South without a court order to graduating governors, judges, prosecutors, and faculty who went on to become President of the United States and Secretary of State, the law school has a rich history and culture. Follow us at @uarklaw.

About Mitchell Williams: Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard PLLC is a full-service corporate law firm providing strategic, comprehensive legal counsel for everything from day-to-day needs to the most complex, specialized business matters. Established in 1954, the firm has offices in Little Rock, Rogers and Jonesboro, Arkansas and Austin, Texas. For more information, visit MitchellWilliamsLaw.com.