DLA Piper names 11th class of Krantz Fellows
DLA Piper is pleased to announce that Eugene Chung and Ryan Lantry have joined the firm as its 11th class of Krantz Fellows.
Through the Krantz Fellowship, DLA Piper annually selects two new associates to spend their first year at the firm working exclusively on pro bono matters. The firm created the fellowship in honor of Sheldon Krantz, a former partner and founding director of New Perimeter, DLA Piper's nonprofit affiliate that provides long-term pro bono legal assistance in under-served regions around the world.
“We are thrilled that Eugene and Ryan have decided to dedicate their first year at DLA Piper to working on a number of vital pro bono projects," said Lisa Dewey, director of New Perimeter and US pro bono partner for DLA Piper. “As they work to tackle unmet legal need and fight to improve access to justice, they will also gain experience spanning a variety of practice areas and will polish legal skills that they will use throughout the rest of their careers. We are very excited for them to begin their fellowship and look forward to seeing what they accomplish.”
Chung and Lantry will both work on New Perimeter projects, as well as on domestic pro bono matters. After completing the fellowship, they will transition into traditional associate roles, while remaining active in pro bono initiatives.
Based in the firm's Washington, DC office, Chung plans to concentrate on transactional pro bono work, including assisting small businesses with business planning, accessing government assistance and drafting contracts, as well as immigration work. He received his J.D. from the George Washington University Law School and his B.A. in political science and criminology from the University of Maryland.
“I am honored to be part of the Krantz Fellowship, which I believe is the epitome of DLA Piper’s commitment to pro bono,” Chung said. “As a first-generation immigrant from South Korea, I have always maintained the goal of giving back to the communities I identify with. Through this fellowship, I hope to make positive changes, whether that is by raising awareness of race-based hate crimes or supporting immigrant clients in realizing their dreams. I also aspire to take this opportunity to respond to the ever-increasing gender-based violence and to support small businesses impacted by the global pandemic. I am grateful knowing DLA Piper shares the same objectives, and I cannot be more excited to embark on this meaningful journey.”
Lantry will be based in the firm's Dallas office. He plans to focus his efforts on pro bono work to improve educational outcomes, as well as projects focused on the environment. Lantry received his J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law and his B.S. in business administration from the State University of New York at Geneseo.
“I am privileged and honored to have the unique and rewarding opportunity to begin my legal career as a Krantz Fellow alongside Eugene,” Lantry said. “No matter the area of law I practice, I aspire to be a lawyer that utilizes my learned experiences to combat the justice gap that plagues our communities. The global health crisis has highlighted – even amplified – the disparate treatment of marginalized populations not only internationally, but also in our own backyards. Through the Krantz Fellowship, I can learn from and collaborate with a diverse array of lawyers, organizations and businesses that share a passion for professional stewardship and a culture of social responsibility. Because of DLA Piper’s unwavering commitment to access to justice and effective pro bono advocacy, I am permitted an extraordinary year that I am thankful to embark on.”
