2011-2012 Membership Diversity Enhancement Program

(formerly the Membership Subsidy Program)

The Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources offers a Membership Diversity Enhancement Program (MDEP) designed for lawyers who have been under-represented in our Section membership. The Program’s principal goal is to have its programs, publications, and other activities reflect the diverse perspectives and interests of all lawyers who practice in the environment, energy, and resources areas. The 2011-2012 program is open to minority lawyers, including lawyers of color, lawyers with disabilities, women lawyers, and lawyers of differing sexual orientation and gender identification; as well as young lawyers, government lawyers, and solo practitioners interested in assisting with the development of Section activities, programs, and publications.

As a MDEP Summer participant, the Section will pay your:

• Section and ABA dues for the remaining 2 months of your 2011-2012 ABA dues;
• Pay for your Section dues and 50% of your 2012-2013 ABA dues, so that you only need to pay the remaining 50%!

MDEP participants announced:

The Section is pleased to announce the selection of the first round of MDEP participants to select for the Membership Diversity Enhancement Program (MDEP) for 2011–2012.  We are currently accepting applications on a rolling basis and are considering each one on a first come basis until all 40 MDEP positions are filled for the 2011-2012 program year.

Round 3:

Lisa Comer, Washington, DC
Deonne Cunningham, Houston, TX
Laura R. Goldin, Washington, DC
Thekla Hansen-Young, Washington, DC
Angelique Harris, Arlington, VA
Steven B. Jones, Baton Rouge, LA
Michael Martinez, Washington, DC
Pedro J. Nieves-Miranda, San Juan, PR
Bethany C. Szewczyk, Orlando, FL

Round 2:

Jessica Bell, Silver Spring, MD
Michael Jensen, Washington, DC
Kyle Landis-Marinello, Montpelier, VT
Rebekah Reynolds, Washington, DC
Laurie May Velasco, Austin, TX

Round 1:

Arthur Bashor, Fort Worth, TX
Roxy Carter, Monterey, CA
Sara Gardner, Yuma, AZ
Jennifer Hammitt, Washington, DC
Tammy Hui, Washington, DC
Brandee Ketchum, Baton Rouge, LA
Yvette Lafrentz, Dillon, MT
Brittany Meyer, Washington, DC
Diane O'Neil, Denver, CO
Steven (Matt) Reed, Crested Butte, CO
M. Victoria Taylor, Charlotte, NC
Brandy Toelupe, Boulder, CO
Diana Webster, Redondo Beach, CA

Selection Criteria and Eligibility

The program is open to:

• Minority lawyers
• Government lawyers
• Solo practitioners
• Young lawyers - (lawyers admitted to practice for less than five years or who are under 36 years old)

Please note: Priority will be given to lawyers who have not held ABA lawyer membership within the previous two years or whose employers do not pay ABA and Section dues.

Individuals must agree, if selected, to:

1. Pay the portion of ABA dues not covered by the program within 30 days of notification.
2. Join at least one substantive committee.
3. Provide their e-mail address to the Section.
4. Participate in Section activities in some meaningful way, such as writing an article for a Section newsletter, Trends, or NR&E, agreeing to serve as a Vice Chair for a Committee, or participating in the planning of a program.
5. Attend at least one Section program; registration for one program will be complimentary.

Application and Selection Process

We are currently accepting applications on a rolling basis and are considering each one on a first come basis until all 40 MDEP positions are filled for the 2011-2012 program year. Applications will be reviewed by the MDEP Selection Committee and recipients will be notified by the decision dates below.

Rolling Admission Deadlines: