(CHARLOTTE, N.C.) — Johnson C. Smith University students, Victoria Davis and Kenya Hale, have been named recipients of the Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein Scholarships for 2014.

The scholarship and mentor program was created to give talented minority students a real-world look at the legal profession and foster interest in becoming active leaders in civic, political and social life of the community.

“We want to give our scholars every advantage we can to further our profession” said Bill Farthing, Parker Poe’s former managing partner. “Giving deserving students a chance to succeed while demonstrating our commitment to public service is a way we contribute to our community.”

This is the first time in the program’s nearly two decade-long history that two students were selected. Victoria Davis is a junior criminology major who currently volunteers at the VA Veterans hospital as a police dispatcher assistant. Kenya Hale is a political science major who serves as an resident advisor at JCSU and has plans to attend Charlotte School of Law.

Parker Poe and Johnson C. Smith University have a long history of mutual service dedicated to creating opportunities for students, the university and the community as a whole.

The firm maintains that that the diverse background and experiences of its attorneys and staff enrich and define its practice of law and service to clients. Parker Poe’s efforts to open pathways to the legal profession for minorities has led to the recognition of its attorneys, as well as the firm, by the surrounding community:

One of the first firms in North Carolina to appoint a full-time Director of Diversity to develop diversity and inclusion initiatives.

First recipient of the Belk Innovation in Diversity Award given by the Charlotte Chamber.

• One of the first law firms in South Carolina to be recognized by the South Carolina Chamber for diversity efforts.
• Winner of the Triangle Business Journal’s Leader in Diversity Award for career development initiatives for minority students.
• 13 female attorneys and lawyers of color named “The Best Lawyers in America.”
• 17 female lawyers named “Super Lawyers” or “Super Lawyers ‘Rising Stars.’”
• 12 female attorneys and lawyers of color named among Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite.”

About Parker Poe
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP has more than 200 lawyers in five offices located in major markets across North Carolina and South Carolina. The Firm provides legal counsel to large commercial and public organizations on litigation, corporate and regulatory matters. For more information, please visit www.parkerpoe.com.