Scarinci Hollenbeck 2016 LGBTQ Scholarship Winner Announced

LGBTQ Scholarship Awarded to Second-Year Rutgers Student Christopher Bustamante Osorio

Lyndhurst, NJ –September 13, 2016– Scarinci Hollenbeck is pleased to announce that Christopher Bustamante Osorio is the 2016 recipient of its statewide LGBTQ scholarship. Sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation, the LGBTQ scholarship program serves to encourage and promote diversity in the legal profession, and to advance the legal studies of those interested in the New Jersey LGBTQ issues. This opportunity is made available to law students committed to promoting equal status for LGBTQ studies, irrespective of whether they are members of the LGBTQ community.

Christopher Bustamante Osorio (center)

Scarinci Hollenbeck LGBTQ Scholarship Selection Process

The Bar Foundation’s Scholarship Committee convenes each year in early May to consider the applications submitted and to select a recipient. Christopher Bustamante Osorio, a second-year law student at Rutgers in Camden, New Jersey, was chosen as this year’s scholarship recipient based on his commitment to raising public awareness of the dangers and obstacles LBGTQ people face, and his demonstrated interest in the development and advancement of diversity.

“Becoming a lawyer has been a dream of mine since high school. After taking history and social justice classes, I knew I wanted to help people of all different backgrounds. I felt that working with the law, I would be able to accomplish this and bring equality for those that are marginalized. The Scarinci Hollenbeck Scholarship will help me achieve my goals,” said Bustamante Osorio.

Before starting law school, Bustamante Osorio graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle. During college, he worked closely with LGBTQ Affinity group, helping to plan events and information sessions to raise awareness of the dangers and obstacles faced by LGBTQ people. He is now part of OUTlaws, a student group with the same mission, at Rutgers.

About the Scarinci Hollenbeck LGBTQ Scholarship

The Scarinci Hollenbeck LGBTQ Scholarship is among the first dedicated to the advancement of LGBTQ legal issues within New Jersey. It is awarded to law students who share in and demonstrate Scarinci Hollenbeck’s profound dedication to and support of LGBTQ issues. Scarinci Hollenbeck has always been a place of inclusion for LGBTQ attorneys and staff, and many of its attorneys have worked on important LGBTQ pro bono issues, including marriage equality.

“We’re proud to partner with the New Jersey State Bar Foundation to present this statewide and diversely unique LGBTQ scholarship,” said Donald Scarinci, managing partner.

For interested students, applications can be found at the beginning of each second semester in the financial aid office at any New Jersey law school, or by visiting the New Jersey Bar Association website.

Scarinci Hollenbeck has offices in New Jersey, New York City, and Washington, D.C. We are large enough to compete with National 250 firms, yet small enough to offer the personal attention that our clients need and deserve. Our partners are among the region’s leading practitioners in real estate, land use, business law, tax, environmental law, land use law, intellectual property, cyber security and data protection.