Diversity Scholarship

 

Heckler & Frabizzio 2026 Diversity Scholarship 

Heckler & Frabizzio, a litigation defense law firm in Wilmington, Delaware, is offering a $5,000 scholarship to a student who is currently looking to further their knowledge in the legal field. The rising cost of education is continuing to be a hardship that many minorities struggle to overcome. Heckler & Frabizzio believes that by helping diverse future legal professionals overcome those struggles, our world can become a brighter place for future generations in our community. The mission of Heckler & Frabizzio’s Diversity Scholarship is to give a minority student the opportunity to pursue a career in the legal profession in Delaware. The scholarship will award the recipient with a one-time $5,000 financial contribution towards a related legal degree, accredited course, or legal classes of the winner’s choice. Heckler & Frabizzio is seeking a candidate who demonstrates a commitment to diversity, their community, and a passion for the legal field.

Eligibility:

The Diversity Scholarship is open to any high school senior, college student, or graduate student residing in the state of Delaware, or attending a Delaware College, University, or accredited course and requirements, but who has strong connections to Delaware and intends to work in the legal field in Delaware after graduation. Individuals who do not meet the stated eligibility but have strong connections to Delaware with intentions to work in the legal field in Delaware after graduation are also welcome to apply.

•Member of a population or group whose origins or ethnicity are historically underrepresented.

•All applicants must be pursuing their passion in legal-related fields. (Examples: Criminal Justice Major, Legal Studies, Paralegal Certificate, Political Science, etc.)

Application Requirements: Please email nbogia@hfddel.com to obtain the applications and essay prompts.
•The candidate must complete the application.

•The candidate must submit an essay responding to selected prompts.

•The candidate must attach a schedule or transcript for proof of enrollment.

•Candidates may include their resume, references, or other relevant documentation. (Optional)

•The candidate must be willing to participate in a personal interview conducted by Heckler & Frabizzio.

Application Deadline & Instructions:

To be eligible for the Diversity Scholarship, candidates must email their complete application and supporting documents to nbogia@hfddel.com by July 1st. Any applications sent after this date will not be considered.

Diversity Scholarship applications should be sent with the subject line [Applicant’s First & Last Name] – 2026 H&F Diversity Scholarship.

If selected for further consideration, Heckler & Frabizzio will contact you to set up a 30-minute personal interview with the Diversity Committee Partners. The recipient of the Heckler & Frabizzio Diversity Scholarship will be chosen and notified by August 15th 2026.

2025 Diversity Scholarship Winner

Elisabeth “Alex” Garcia.

Heckler & Frabizzio is proud to announce that Alex Garcia has been awarded the 2025 Diversity Scholarship. We invite you to continue reading below to learn more about Alex through her personal statement.

I am deeply honored and humbled to be selected as a recipient of the 2025 Heckler & Frabizzio Diversity Scholarship. My name is Elisabeth “Alex” Garcia, and I am a second-year student at Rutgers Law School in Camden, where I am wholeheartedly committed to advancing diversity within the legal profession and beyond. As a proud participant in Rutgers’ accelerated 3+3 Bachelor’s/J.D. Dual Degree program, I have immersed myself in leadership and advocacy roles that reflect my values. I serve as Co-Vice President of the Latin American Law Student Alliance, Historian for the Immigration Law Society, an active member of the Minority Student Program, and a Marshall-Brennan Fellow. For the past three years, I have worked at a local firm where I have grown into my role as a workers’ compensation paralegal, gaining invaluable real-world experience in the legal field.

My passion for helping underrepresented communities stems from the profound lessons my parents instilled in me from an early age. They taught me that hard work, strength, and resilience are not just virtues—they are necessities. When my father arrived in America at just 14 years old, he carried with him an unwavering belief in the opportunities this country could provide for the family he would one day have. His courage and my mother’s sacrifices have shaped my understanding that living in America is a privilege that must never be taken for granted. As a first-generation college and law student, I carry the weight and honor of my family’s dreams alongside my own aspirations. Every achievement is not only a personal victory but a testament to their sacrifices and faith in me. The journey has been challenging, yet every obstacle has reinforced the most important lesson my mother taught me through both her words and actions: no matter how hard you fall, you must always get back up.

I believe deeply that human beings are created to love and care for one another—that people need people. This understanding was forged early in my life when material possessions may have been scarce, but love and compassion were abundant. My mother, despite having little, found ways to provide us with everything we needed. My father transformed his own humble beginnings into something greater so that his children would never know the struggle he endured. I am the product of generations of resilience, hard work, passion, and above all, compassion. I have learned that showing genuine compassion can transform lives. From my earliest memories, I felt called to help others, and I made the deliberate choice to transform this calling into my career and life’s work. Despite facing numerous adversities, I have fought to create space for myself in places where people who look like me don’t always belong. The path is difficult, but my passion sustains me—a passion to help as many people as possible, which I believe will make me not only an effective attorney but a better human being.

Change begins with each of us, and every individual possesses the power to make a meaningful difference in this world—one person, one day at a time. This is what I aim to dedicate my life to accomplishing. This scholarship will provide me with the invaluable gift of focusing more intently on my studies, reducing financial stress, and allowing me to invest more time in the causes I am passionate about pursuing. Words feel inadequate to express my gratitude for this opportunity. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Heckler & Frabizzio for their genuine commitment to diversifying the legal profession and for taking concrete, actionable steps toward achieving that vital goal. This support means more than you know, and I am determined to honor it through my continued dedication to justice, equality, and service to others.

Heckler & Frabizzio sincerely congratulates Alex on being awarded the 2025 Diversity Scholarship. Her achievements reflect exceptional dedication, leadership, and a deep commitment to promoting diversity within the legal field. We are confident that she will continue to excel and make a lasting contribution to the profession.

2024 Diversity Scholarship Winner Camille Collins
If anyone ever tells you that your goals are impossible to achieve, tell them about me.

My name is Camille Collins. I am a 3L at Delaware Law School, a lifelong Delawarean, and the honored recipient of the 2024 Heckler & Frabizzio Diversity Scholarship. Law school was not on my radar when planning for my future in high school. Not that I lacked the interest or passion back then, but the only visible portrayals I had were Claire Huxtable from “The Cosby Show” and Maxine Shaw from “Living Single.” And neither of them were teen mothers, like I was. I may never have the answer to why I took the detours in life that I did, but I do know what to do with everything I learned along the way.

My initial work experience was in human resources, staffing, and job readiness training. For some time, I worked with differently abled high schoolers on job skills and soft skills. I also spent several years assisting people in reentry with obtaining employment, financial literacy, and life skills to maximize their chances of not reoffending. I enjoyed connecting adults to a steady paycheck and witnessing the excitement in a teenager’s eyes when getting their first one. However, seeing the obstacles that people with criminal convictions face ignited the spark that led me to law school. My interest is not only in criminal law, but also in other areas where my passion for justice and equity can be utilized—employment, civil rights, corporate responsibility, and financial planning. In my time at Delaware Law School, I have become a proud member of the Delaware Journal of Corporate Law, the Moot Court Honor Society, the Transactional Law Honor Society, and the Innocence Project Clinic. I am also the Parliamentarian for the Black Law Students Association.

As a Black woman entering the legal field, I am acutely aware of the historic significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in this profession. The underrepresentation of Black women in law continues to serve as a stark reminder of the inequities that persist. But every step I take toward becoming an attorney, I see myself as breaking down those barriers, opening doors not just for myself but for others who look like me and share my life story, and reshaping the face of the legal profession. By stepping into this space, I am bringing more than my knowledge of the law; I am bringing lived experience, empathy, and a perspective that is urgently needed if we are to make justice equitable for all. My being here is a testament that overcoming the impossible is possible because of the advocates, like Heckler & Frabizzio, who saw my value and created tangible support for me on my journey.

Representation matters. When people see someone who looks like them in positions of power—someone who understands their challenges and shares their experiences—it sends a powerful message of possibility. My presence in the legal profession is not just about personal achievement; it is about making sure that future generations of marginalized people have advocates and role models within a system that has historically excluded them. By entering the Delaware legal community, I am adding to the growing wave of diversity and pushing forward the necessity of inclusion in spaces that have, for too long, lacked it.

The Heckler & Frabizzio Diversity Scholarship reflects a deep understanding of why diversity, equity, and inclusion are not merely buzzwords—this initiative is essential to achieving justice for all. Thank you for believing in my potential and for recognizing the importance of diversity in the legal profession. I am committed to carrying this mantle forward, using the opportunities provided by this scholarship to continue breaking barriers, not just for myself but for others who will follow. Together, we can shape a legal system that better serves all Delawareans, creating a legacy of justice and progress.

Honorable Mention Mekayla Petion!
I am both honored and humbled to be the 2024 recipient of The Heckler and Frabizzio Diversity Scholarship. This honorable mention has made a significant impact on my family and I financially, which has made me eternally grateful. As a recent valedictorian of Calvary Christian Academy, and now a freshman at Villanova University studying Criminology, my ultimate goal is to become a family attorney. Specifically, to practice in the fields of Immigration and Criminal Law. With this scholarship, I am provided with many more opportunities to help me achieve my goal, and what I believe is simply the beginning of what I will become. As a child, I have watched my father and other various family members struggle with the immigration system. This struggle truly became understandable to me when I was about 12 years old, because I had to write an impact statement in an attempt to keep my father from being deported. It is because of that experience that I have chosen to pursue a career in Immigration Law. Just as I was for my father, I want to be a voice for those that do not have one in this country and be the change in the immigration system that I desire to see. The work that the Heckler and Frabizzio Firm is doing for people like myself is truly inspiring. I would like to thank the firm for their kindness and generosity in awarding me this scholarship, I hope they can see my endless gratitude and I look forward to seeing the other lives they will help in the future!

2023 Recipient 

Brittany Jackson

It is with great excitement and pride to announce the recipient of The Heckler & Frabizzio Diversity Scholarship 2023, Brittany Jackson! This scholarship program was established with the vision of fostering a more inclusive and diverse community within the legal industry. Through this initiative, we aim to recognize and celebrate the exceptional talents and unique perspectives of individuals from various backgrounds.

The Firm received many applications from a variety of impressive individuals. The diversity committee worked diligently to review all applications using a standardized rubric and interviewed the top four applicants. Brittany inspired the committee with her commitment to diversity, the legal community, and her dedication to excellence. Please see a personal statement from our winner, Brittany Jackson, below.

I am grateful for the experiences I’ve had as a future attorney and as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. I have gained a much greater value of our country; both the law and institutions of society while simultaneously defending the constitution, the rights of the people, and securing their survivability. It was through these experiences that have provided a much greater understanding of the importance of representation within our legal system. As a Black woman, I am committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the legal field and making a positive impact on the Delaware community. Throughout my academic journey and personal experiences, I have witnessed the disparities that exist and the need for greater representation and equal access to justice. I have seen the importance of representation and the impact it can have on individuals and communities throughout generations. I firmly believe that diversity in the legal field brings varying perspectives, experiences, and insights that are crucial for addressing the complex legal issues faced within our society. By pursuing a legal education, I aim to challenge the underrepresentation of individuals in the field and contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable legal system.

One of my primary goals is to actively engage in initiatives such as Heckler & Frabizzio that support diversity and inclusivity within the field and provide financial assistance that makes pursuing the legal field feasible. I intend to contribute through mentorship as I recognize the significance of guidance in navigating the challenges faced by underrepresented groups. By sharing my own experiences and offering support, I hope to inspire future generations of legal professionals to pursue their aspirations and contribute their unique perspectives to the legal field. In addition to supporting aspiring law students, I am determined to contribute to the broader legal community in Delaware. I also intend to collaborate with local organizations, such as legal aid clinics, and pro bono initiatives, such as the Veteran’s Law clinic in which I am actively engaged, to address the legal needs of both underrepresented and marginalized communities. Through these efforts, I aim to provide access to justice for those who might otherwise be overlooked or disadvantaged. By actively participating in community outreach programs, I seek to empower individuals and promote social change through legal education and advocacy.