Walmart Increases Access to Legal Education with New Partnership
Walmart Increases Access to Legal Education with New Partnership
Program aimed at increasing diversity and inclusion within the legal profession
Bentonville, Ark., and Largo, Md., July 31, 2018 – Walmart Inc. and the Council on Legal Education Opportunity, Inc. (CLEO), in recognition of CLEO’s historic 50th Anniversary celebration, announced today the launch of a new scholarship program intended to increase the accessibility of legal education to minority, low-income, and under-represented groups. The program is representative of Walmart’s push to increase diversity and inclusion across sectors and the value the company places on education.
The program is made possible by a $100,000 grant from the Walmart Legal Department to CLEO, a national nonprofit organization seeking to expand opportunities for minority and low-income students to attend law school. The grant will help enable students to attend CLEO’s Pre-Law Summer Institute in 2019 and assist in providing ongoing support as they enter law school.
“We are passionate about education and supporting students who are seeking advanced legal degrees,” said Karen Roberts, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Walmart. “Through our work with CLEO, we are helping ensure that law students have the funds and resources needed to build long-lasting careers.”
“The need for access to an affordable legal education is a national imperative,” said Cassandra Sneed Ogden, CLEO, Inc. Chief Executive Officer. “This commitment from Walmart, a key, longtime CLEO partner will make a tremendous difference as we continue to strive toward equality and inclusion in the legal profession and mentor and prepare the diverse jurists, lawyers, and business men and women who will be the leaders of tomorrow!”
About the Council on Legal Education Opportunity, Inc.
CLEO, Inc. is committed to diversifying the legal profession by expanding legal education opportunities to minority, low-income, and disadvantaged groups.
Founded in 1968 when the number of lawyers of color was less than one percent, more than 10,000 individuals have participated in CLEO’s programs, many of whom have gone on to excel in every area of the legal profession to include judges, corporate attorneys, law school deans and professors, practitioners, politicians, and more. Although best known for its Pre-Law Summer Institute “boot camp” for entering law students, CLEO provides services to secondary, college (pre-law), and law school students, which include mentoring, placement assistance, academic counseling and support, and scholarships. For information about CLEO, Inc. and its programs, please visit: www.cleoinc.org. For more information about CLEO’s historic 50th Anniversary and corresponding celebrations, please visit: www.cleoinc.org/50.
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, nearly 270 million customers and members visit our more than 11,700 stores under 65 banners in 28 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2018 revenue of $500.3 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart.
Walmart Media Relations Contact
Robyn Babbitt
800-331-0085
Walmart Investor Relations Contact
Kary Brunner
479-277-8782
CLEO, Inc. Media Relations Contact
Bernetta J. Hayes
240-582-8600, ext. 203