SAN DIEGO – May 14, 2014 – Higgs Fletcher & Mack, a San Diego-based law firm for 75 years, has gifted its annual California Western School of Law Diversity Scholarship to a deserving law student.

(From left to right) Rahil Swigart, attorney and member of the Higgs Fletcher & Mack Diversity Committee, and Samantha McPherson, law student at California Western and recipient of the Higgs Fletcher & Mack’s 2014 Diversity Scholarship.

The $3,500 scholarship was presented to Samantha McPherson, a second-year law student and multiracial San Diego native.

The Higgs Fletcher & Mack Diversity Scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates ethical and/or civic leadership, as well as a commitment to providing services to underrepresented groups in the community.

“We are thrilled to support a Cal Western student for the second year in a row,” said Rahil Swigart, member of the Higgs Fletcher & Mack Diversity Committee and California Western School of Law alum. “Samantha demonstrated incredible work ethic and perseverance. She represents the next generation of diverse attorneys in San Diego and we are all excited to see her thrive.”

Samantha was selected from a number of outstanding students, all who had unique backgrounds and strengths. Samantha demonstrated a passion for giving back to the community and embodied leadership and determination. She is the President of the California Western Black Law Student Association and serves on the Development and Advisory Board for Reach One Teach One (ROTO), a non-profit that promotes unity, reduces violence and improves the quality of life for youth in southeast San Diego.

“The scholarship we provide helps alleviate some of the financial burden our recipients face,” said Susan Hack, Chair of Higgs’ Diversity Committee. “The scholarship is made possible by contributions from the firm itself and several attorneys here at Higgs.”

Higgs Fletcher & Mack has provided scholarships to students at the University of San Diego School of Law since 2010 and students from California Western School of Law since 2013. The firm plans to continue the annual scholarship for both institutions in the years to come.

The following Higgs Fletcher & Mack attorneys contributed to the California Western scholarship this year: Steven J. Cologne, Brian M. Cook, Thomas W. Ferrell, Loren G. Freestone, Susan M. Hack, James G. Harrigan, Rachel R. James, Michael Jones, William M. Low, Kathryn A. Martin, Susan A. Mercure, John L. Morrell, Stephen T. Pelletier, Rahil K. Swigart, Timothy D. Waters.

About Higgs Fletcher & Mack

Celebrating 75 years in 2014, Higgs Fletcher & Mack is San Diego’s oldest full-service law firm. Deeply committed to the San Diego Region and workplace diversity in the legal community, the firm continues to expand and evolve its expertise and firm membership. They are proud to be an original signatory to The San Diego County Bar Association’s Diversity Pledge and the founder of the Annual Diversity Scholarship at the University of San Diego School of Law. The firm continues to be a leader in diversity efforts and a strong supporter of professional development in the legal community. For more information, visit www.Higgslaw.com.