Alabama Law 2L, Crystal Armstrong, recently received the 2022 Deborah J. Broyles Diverse Scholar Award from the global law firm, Reed Smith LLP. The Deborah J. Broyles Diverse Scholar Award offers a $20,000 scholarship and summer associate position to two law students nationwide who demonstrate academic excellence, are committed to DE&I, and serve as a valuable addition to the firm’s culture.
Armstrong is the first Alabama Law student to ever obtain this award, and she asserts that part of her success stems from her choice to transfer to Alabama Law after her first year of law school at Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, LA.
“I wanted to attend a law school that would prepare me for a successful legal career. Alabama Law fit that description,” Armstrong stated.
This decision was motivated by a desire to be closer to family, but also due to the law school’s low faculty to student ratio, high rates of future career success, and the many externship programs offered at Alabama Law.
“As a law student at Alabama Law, I have been afforded the opportunity to hone my legal research and writing skills by participating in the externship program. As an extern with the UA Office of Counsel, I am required to research complex legal questions, summarize my findings, and consult with attorneys. Thus, my additional experience with legal research and writing will serve as a valuable tool next summer,” Armstrong explained.
Armstrong also credits her success in obtaining the scholarship to the combination of her past summer externship experience with Bradley Arant Boult & Cummings and Lightfoot, Franklin & White and her previous work experience as a school psychologist.
Armstrong’s internship will begin this summer and last 10 weeks in the law firm’s Dallas office.
