Vela Wood Law Firm Partners with Kaplan to Provide Free LSAT® Courses to Boost Number of Black Attorneys

Press Release

October 4, 2022

Vela Wood Law Firm Partners with Kaplan to Provide Free LSAT^® Courses to Boost Number of Black Attorneys

Kaplan

NEW YORK - Texas-based law firm Vela Wood has partnered with global educational services company Kaplan to offer free LSAT prep courses to Black aspiring lawyers as part of both organizations’ ongoing efforts to diversify the legal profession. The scholarship was established by the law firm’s philanthropic arm, Vela Wood Forward (VW FWD), as a means of providing much needed financial assistance to Black, African American, and Black-Latinx students interested in pursuing a career in law. Scholarship recipients can enroll in a Kaplan LSAT course, which includes live, online instruction from an expert teacher; 32 hours of core classroom instruction; 180+ hours of exclusive live and on-demand lessons on Kaplan’s LSAT Channel for a customizable curriculum; and access to 60+ official practice tests with the Law School Admission Council’s LSAT Prep Plus tool, among other benefits.

According to the American Bar Association, 4.5 percent of all lawyers in the United States are Black—approximately the same percentage as 10 years earlier—but the total Black population in the United States overall is 13.4 percent. To combat this lack of progress, national organizations and law schools have in recent years redoubled their efforts to encourage more Black students to consider law as a career and to create more inclusive environments.

“As a Black, first-generation attorney, from a family with limited means, I have a unique understanding of the financial roadblocks that many Black aspiring attorneys face on their path to becoming a lawyer,” said Jenny Young, partner at Vela Wood and Director of VW FWD. “Black people are severely underrepresented in the legal field which is not for a lack of interest in law or personal merit; Vela Wood is looking to change that. Through this partnership with Kaplan, Vela Wood seeks to provide a pathway for Black students to achieve their very best LSAT score, enhancing their chances of entrance into top tier law schools. We believe that financial obstructions should not stand in the way of admission to law school for Black students.”

“Kaplan and Vela Wood share the goal of bringing true diversity to the legal profession, which includes significantly increasing the number of Black lawyers. At Kaplan, we are fully committed to supporting and advancing educational opportunities for historically underrepresented and marginalized populations, and providing LSAT scholarships is one of the ways we aim to level the playing field,” said Jessica Peterson, director of institutional partnerships, Kaplan. “Not only is a strong LSAT score the strongest tool applicants have in their arsenal to get into law school, but it can also help them secure much coveted merit-based aid. We encourage all eligible pre-law students to apply for this scholarship.”

Eligible scholarship recipients can apply here. Journalists who are interested in more information about this program can contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 917.822.8190.

LSAT® is a registered trademark of Law School Admission Council, Inc. which does not review or endorse specific test preparation materials or services.

About Vela Wood and VW FWD

Vela Wood (VW) is a boutique corporate law firm with a local feel and a global impact. With offices in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, and San Diego, we focus our practice in the areas of M&A, Sports & Gaming, Venture Capital, and Corporate Transactions. We pride ourselves in building real relationships with our clients and partnering with them for the long-haul. For more information, visit https://velawoodlaw.com.

VW FWD is an internal firm initiative dedicated to providing resources and opportunities for our employees to learn about and become more involved with social justice issues, and to support the communities in which our VW offices reside. As part of this initiative VW FWD has committed to donating $500,000 to social justice causes focused on supporting Black, African American, and Black-Latinx people as well as other marginalized communities within America. For more information, visit https://velawoodlaw.com/vw-fwd/.

About Kaplan
Kaplan, Inc. is a global educational services company that helps individuals and institutions advance their goals in an ever-changing world. Our broad portfolio of solutions help students and professionals further their education and careers, universities and educational institutions attract and support students, and businesses maximize employee recruitment and development. Stanley Kaplan founded our company in 1938 with a mission to expand educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Today, all of our employees across 27 countries continue Stanley’s mission, working with hundreds of thousands of students and professionals and 12,000 corporate and 4,000 school and university clients worldwide. Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC). Learn more at kaplan.com.

Press Contact:
Russell Schaffer
russell.schaffer@kaplan.com
917.822.8190

Press Release Archive

Press Release

Syracuse University College of Law Partners with Kaplan to Provide All Students with Free Prep Courses for the Bar Exam

by Kaplan

Vela Wood Law Firm Partners with Kaplan to Provide Free LSAT® Courses to Boost Number of Black Attorneys

Press Release Archive

Syracuse University College of Law Partners with Kaplan to Provide All Students with Free Prep Courses for the Bar Exam

Inc. Names Kaplan as a 2024 Power Partner Award Winner in Recognition of Being a Leading B2B Company

Kaplan Survey: Law Schools Lag on Official Policies on How Applicants Can Use AI in Admissions Essays, Potentially Leaving Them in Limbo

Kaplan Named to Newsweek’s Most Loved Workplaces® in America 2024 List

Kaplan Survey: 75 Percent of Admissions Officers Believe College Rankings Have Lost Their Luster

The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company Launches Accredited Investment Fiduciary® Training for Financial Professionals Pursuing the AIF® Designation

Kaplan Survey: Most Buyer’s Agents Don’t Think New Commission Rules are a Good Thing, But are Ready to Face the Challenge

Manhattan Prep/Kaplan Survey: Most MBA Applicants Consider Their Social Media Posts “Fair Game” in the Admissions Process

Kaplan Comments on Major Changes to the ACT® Exam, Set to Launch in 2025

Kaplan’s All Access License Wins “Test Prep Innovation Of The Year” For Second Consecutive Year in the 6th Annual EdTech Breakthrough Awards Program

The City University of New York School of Law Expands Partnership with Kaplan to Provide All Students with Free Prep Courses for the Bar Exam

Sun Sentinel Names Kaplan a Winner of the South Florida Top Workplaces 2024 Award, Marking its Fourth Consecutive Annual Recognition

Kaplan Certified as a Most Loved Workplace® for Fourth Consecutive Year, a Recognition of Employees’ On-The-Job Happiness and Career Satisfaction

Fast Company Names Kaplan’s All Access License as a Winner in its 2024 World Changing Ideas Awards

Manhattan Prep/Kaplan Survey: Most Future Business School Applicants Wary about Unrestricted Use of AI in Admissions Essays

University of Detroit Mercy Partners with Kaplan to Offer Students Free Comprehensive Test Prep for Graduate-Level Admissions and Licensing Exams

The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company Launches Financial Paraplanner Qualified ProfessionalSM Designation Program in Spanish to Better Serve Hispanic Investors

Manhattan Prep/Kaplan Survey: Aspiring Business School Students Say the Rankings Have Lost Some Prestige, But Still Depend on Them

Kaplan Surveys: Law Schools Believe the Rankings Have Lost Their Luster, but Pre-Law Students Still Find Them Useful

Barron’s Partners with Brainfuse to Offer Students Premium Content to Succeed Academically and Prepare for College Admissions Exams

Kaplan Launches Buyer Agency Professional Designation to Help Real Estate Agents Navigate Looming Major Changes to the Industry’s Business Model

Poznan University of Medical Sciences Expands Partnership with Kaplan to Offer Students Additional Prep for Medical and Dental Licensing Exams

Available for Media Interviews: The New Digital SAT® Launches March 9. Kaplan Experts Can Provide Answers to Top Questions.

Yale University Joins Dartmouth, MIT, and Georgetown in Requiring Applicants to Submit Standardized Test Scores; Kaplan Survey Suggests Other Schools Will Join Them

Kaplan Earns 2024 Great Place To Work Certification™

Kaplan’s All Access License Named to Tech & Learning’s Best for 2023 List, Citing Its Ability to Expand Opportunities

The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company Releases 2024 Survey of Financial Planning Professionals

Kaplan’s $20K Tuition Sweepstakes Winner is Georgia Tech Student Emily Conn, a Future Doctor of America

Kaplan Survey: College Admissions Officers Think It’s OK to Visit Applicants’ Social Media, But Most Don’t

Kaplan Survey: Law Schools Concerned about Class Diversity, Amid Affirmative Action Ban Fallout

Kaplan Survey: Most Colleges and Universities Take Laissez Faire Approach Towards Use of GenAI in Admissions

Kaplan Survey: A Majority of Pre-Law Students Say It’s Important to Attend Law School With Students Having the Same Political Views

Kaplan’s AccelPro Platform Expands Peer-to-Peer Coaching and Career Development to New Audiences

Alabama A&M University Partners with Kaplan to Offer Students Free Comprehensive Test Prep for Graduate-Level Admissions Exams and Professional Certifications

Kaplan Named to Fast Company’s 2023 “Brands That Matter” List

Kaplan Survey: Most Pre-Law Students Don’t Think Law School Applicants Should Be Allowed to Use GenAI in Admissions Essays

Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College Announces Partnership with Kaplan to Enhance Clinical Readiness and Education Outcomes for Aspiring Doctors

Rutgers Law School Partners with Kaplan to Provide All Students with Free Prep Courses for the Bar Exam

Kaplan’s Graduate School Tuition Sweepstakes to Give One Lucky Student $20K

Kaplan Named to Newsweek’s List of the Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplace for 2023

Kaplan’s All Access License for Colleges and Universities Wins “Test Prep Innovation Of The Year” in the 5th Annual EdTech Breakthrough Awards Program

Spelman College Partners with Kaplan to Offer Students Free Comprehensive Prep for Graduate-Level Admissions Exams

Hampton University Partners with Kaplan to Offer Students Free Comprehensive Prep for Graduate-Level Admissions and Licensing Exams

Sun Sentinel Names Kaplan a Winner of the South Florida Top Workplaces 2023 Award, Marking its Third Consecutive Annual Recognition

Kaplan Survey: Medical Schools Keep COVID-Era Admissions Policies to Keep Application Process More Flexible

Fisk University Partners with Kaplan to Offer Students Free Comprehensive Prep for Graduate-Level Admissions Exams and Professional Certifications

Kaplan Certified as a Most Loved Workplace® for Three Consecutive Years, a Recognition of Consistent Employee Happiness and Job Satisfaction

Stillman College Partners with Kaplan to Offer Students Free Comprehensive Prep for Graduate-Level Admissions Exams and Professional Certifications

Junior Achievement Announces Kaplan Partnership to Help High School Students Secure Their Post-Graduation Goals

HelloFresh Partners with Kaplan to Provide Free GED® Prep for Hourly Workers to Earn High School Equivalency Diploma

The Creating Pathways and Access for Student Success™ Foundation Partners with Kaplan to Boost the Number of Underrepresented Illinois Students in STEM Fields

Kaplan Wins the Association for Talent Development’s Prestigious BEST Award for Exceptional Employee Learning and Development Success

Talladega College Partners with Kaplan to Offer Students Free Comprehensive Prep for Graduate-Level Admissions Exams and Professional Certifications

Delaware State University to Offer its Students Free Prep Courses for Graduate-Level Admissions Exams Through New Partnership with Kaplan

College for Financial Planning®–a Kaplan Company Introduces Freedom Scholarships for Military Service Members and Veterans

Manhattan Prep/Kaplan Survey: Many Business Schools Say the MBA Rankings Have Lost Prestige and Would Welcome its Demise

Denison University Offers Students Free Comprehensive Prep for Graduate-Level Admissions Exams Through Partnership with Kaplan

Designed to Jump Start Careers, Financial Advising Accelerator Program Launched by College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company

Howard University to Offer its Undergraduate and Graduate Students Free Comprehensive Prep for Admissions and Licensure Exams Through New Partnership with Kaplan

Vela Wood Law Firm Partners with Kaplan to Provide Free LSAT® Courses to Boost Number of Black Attorneys

Kaplan Partners with Amazon to Provide Amazon Employees with Comprehensive Career and Student Support Services

Fast Company’s 2022 World Changing Ideas Awards Recognizes Kaplan’s Career Core™

Kaplan Educational Foundation Taps KEF Alum Nolvia Delgado as its Next Leader

Keller Williams and Kaplan Partner on Groundbreaking Real Estate School

With Rise in Financial Planning Needs for Unmarried Couples, College for Financial Planning® Relaunches ADPA® Designation Program

Kaplan Launches First Shared Career Services Offering In Partnership With Wake Forest University, Leading Higher Ed Institutions to Promote Work Readiness

Kaplan Agreement With Digital Marketing Institute Provides Certification Program for Business Professionals

Kaplan Partners with Wall Street Bound to Prepare Diverse, Under-represented Youth for Careers in the Financial Services Industry

Survey: Nearly 80 Percent of College Students Want Legacy Admissions Banned

Lynn University Collaborates with Kaplan to Expand Online Degree Programs and Adult Learner Reach

University of Dubuque Partners with Kaplan to Strengthen Students’ Work Readiness and Employability in the Financial Sector

Phi Alpha Delta Partners with Kaplan to Help Pre-Law and Law School Students Reach Their Educational and Professional Goals

Kaplan Expands Corporate Training Platform to Include Financial Modeling Through Agreement With The Marquee Group

Exclusive Partnership Between Kaplan and ConnecME Marks a New Era of Educational Solutions in the Middle East

Kaplan, Lambda Chi Alpha to Launch Transformational Programs that Support Soft Skills, Credentials for Gen Z Students

University of Montana Partners with Kaplan to Strengthen Students’ Work Readiness and Employability With Kaplan Credegree™ Program

Kaplan Launches Innovative Online Solution to Address Data Literacy Gap for Business Professionals

Collaboration timely for those struggling with attracting, retaining, and developing talent during the pandemic

Vela Wood Law Firm Partners with Kaplan to Provide Free LSAT^® Courses to Boost Number of Black Attorneys