Taking the LEAP from athletics to law: DLA Piper offers scholarship program for student-athletes

DLA Piper is accepting applications for the Legal Elite Athlete Pipeline (LEAP) Scholarship Program, aimed at supporting student-athletes who wish to pursue a career in the legal profession after graduation.

“Student athletes possess traits needed for a successful legal career, including focus, drive, ambition, grit and a team mindset,” said Americas Chair Frank Ryan, a former wrestler at Syracuse University. “Our goal with LEAP is to show student-athletes the various paths available to them and increase diversity in the profession by reaching students who otherwise might not have considered a career in law.”

Each year, DLA Piper will select collegiate student athletes who have completed at least two years of undergraduate university. Students receive financial scholarships and are mentored by top attorneys, in addition to receiving guidance in a variety of areas, including the law school application process, and exposure to firm practices such as Artificial Intelligence and Pro Bono.

Earlier this year, DLA Piper launched its first cohort with five student-athletes and is looking to more than double the cohort size for 2024. This fall, Frank has met with student athletes and presented on “Why Law School” at Syracuse University, Ohio State University and Harvard University.

Applications are being accepted now through December 1, 2023. For more information and to apply, please see here.