The John Marshall Law School will have a new scholarship available in the fall 2012 semester for students working in the Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic (VLSC).
The Grotefeld Hoffmann Veterans Clinic Scholarship was established by Grotefeld, Hoffmann, Schleiter, Gordon and Ochoa. Alumni Mark S. Grotefeld (JD ’81), William J. Hoffmann (JD ’93) and John Schleiter (JD ’96), and fellow firm equity partners Brad Gordon, Maura Walsh-Ochoa and David Evinger created the scholarship to honor heroic sacrifices made by members of the United States armed forces during the Global War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
The idea came to Grotefeld when he received a letter regarding John Marshall’s building expansion, which includes VLSC’s move to a larger space in the law school. David Evinger, managing partner of the firm’s Minneapolis office, has a son who is first lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
“It came to my attention that people serving in the military had needs that were not being met by JAG Corps,” Grotefeld said. “When people get into these difficult situations, they need help—why not lend a hand?”
The scholarship will be awarded to students enrolled in the VLSC clinic program, with preference given to students who are active military or veterans. The firm donated $25,000 to establish the endowed scholarship, and gave an additional $1,000 to serve as the student award for 2012. Grotefeld said the firm is interested in making additional gifts to the scholarship fund, and would consider gifts to other law schools should they create a clinic that reflects the mission of John Marshall’s VLSC.
“It was in my thoughts, helping folks in the military through their good efforts,” Grotefeld said. “It’s important to give back to people who’ve done so much for our country.”
For more information about creating a scholarship, call Geoff Hammond (JD ’04) at 312/386-2871.
