Global law firm Clifford Chance has announced the winners of the third edition of its Scholarship for Diverse Students in Europe: one student in Luxembourg and two in Spain earned it this year.
They will each be granted €10,000 to support their studies and set the groundwork for a “thriving start” to their professional journey.
In Luxembourg, where the scholarship was awarded for the first time, Michael Esq was the winner.
The objective of the scholarship, part of Clifford Chance's REACH (i.e. advancing Race Equality And Celebrating Heritage) initiative, is to promote diversity, build a more inclusive future in Continental Europe and help talented university students with varied cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds succeed in their early careers.
Mustapha Mourahib, Clifford Chance's Office Managing Partner for Casablanca, and a sponsor partner of REACH, commented: "I am proud of both our REACH initiative and this year's winners. Because diversity at Clifford Chance is a business imperative. Diverse teams can better understand the needs of our clients, and diverse and inclusive workplaces attract top talent. This is why it is so important to have initiatives like REACH and to celebrate these successes, both with our people and with our clients."
This year, in its third edition, the scholarship was open to students about to embark on the final two years of their law studies at a university in Spain, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Italy, who come from a diverse cultural or socio-economic background and have a positive academic record, specialising in business, commercial, finance and/or banking law. Although not a requirement, as in previous editions, the firm reported it was "particularly keen" to hear from first-generation students. 158 applications were reviewed in total from 16 October to 24 November 2023.
Winner Michael Esq said: "Clifford Chance is a firm that stands above the rest in promoting diversity and inclusion in the global legal industry. Law is a universal language. Encouraging young lawyers from different jurisdictions therefore leads to greater understanding, collaboration and seamless legal solutions to international legal issues."
Katia Gauzès, Managing Partner of Clifford Chance Luxembourg, commented: "We are immensely proud to celebrate the achievements of Michael Esq. At Clifford Chance, we are deeply committed to fostering an environment where diverse talents are not only recognised but are also given the platform to thrive. Our scholarship programme is a testament to our dedication to inclusion, providing opportunities that transcend social and economic barriers. Michael's story is a beacon of inspiration, and it is our privilege to support his journey towards becoming a legal professional who will no doubt contribute to the richness of our firm's culture and the breadth of our global expertise."
