When 2L Margaret Smithers was accepted at USC Gould School of Law, she was surprised to learn she was also eligible for the Gold Honors Scholars program, which provides financial support and networking opportunities for 20 exceptional applicants each year.
“That said to me, ‘Not only do we accept you — we also think you will be a valuable part of our community, both in and outside the classroom,’” says Smithers, a member of the Gold Honors Scholars Board, which plans engagement activities for scholars. “It factored into my decision to attend USC.”
This year, the program celebrates 10 years of assisting students with the cost of law school and demonstrating what it means to be an attorney through meetups with the Law Leadership Society, social events with students, as well as lunch and learn meetings with alumni, professors and practitioners.
USC Trustee Stanley Gold (JD 1967) and his wife Ilene established the program to ensure that Gould was bringing in top-notch students, he says — and to give back some of the good fortune he experienced.
“It was a long time ago, but scholarship money helped me to attend USC law school,” says Gold, who meets twice each year with the scholars. “I was grateful for that at the time. My wife and I have a great belief in paying it forward.”
Overwhelmingly, Gold Honors Scholars appreciate the program for introducing them to fellow scholars and administrators before school begins. David Kirschner, associate dean of admissions, financial aid and innovation and Professor Bob Rasmussen typically meet with the group a few weeks before classes begin to give them an idea of what lies ahead academically.
After being out of academia and working for five years, Kristina Funahashi (JD 2021) wasn’t sure what to expect from law school, but the advance meeting gave her the information and camaraderie she needed to get a good start, she says.
“Meeting other people with diverse backgrounds and having guidance and support in terms of connecting with other students, connecting in study groups, made returning a seamless transition,” says Funahashi, now an associate at Latham & Watkins LLP in San Diego. Her cohort was enrolled during the pandemic, and the Honors Scholars program provided bonding when classes weren’t meeting in person. “I would have had a much more isolating experience (if I hadn’t) been part of the program,” she says.
In her first year, Smithers developed strong relationships with 2Ls and 3Ls in the program. As a first-generation law student, she appreciated the opportunity to ask questions about nuts-and-bolts issues like how to make an outline and course loads. One 2L scholar even offered to conduct mock job interviews.
“I took her up on it, and she gave me critiques,” she says. “It was super helpful.”
AJ Pinto (JD 2019) has the distinction of belonging to the first class of honors scholars in 2016. He remembers Kirschner telling the group the program was theirs to shape from the ground up.
“It was very experimental, very generous and a work in progress,” he says. “A few of us took the reins and made it what we wanted it to be. We had dinners with then-Dean Andrew Guzman, Stanley Gold and other alumni with interesting stories and paths, and got connected with the right professors to help us set ourselves up for success.”
When Funahashi was seeking an internship for her 1L summer, a Gold Honors alumnus helped her find a role as a legal intern with a biotech company. “The USC network is unparalleled,” she says. “The amount of financial and emotional support is incredible.”
Kirschner notes that the success of Gold Honors Scholars alumni demonstrates the value of the program, and Stanley Gold has had a lot to do with that.
“Our first class is about six years into practice, and they’re becoming partners and reaching the highest levels in public interest,” he says. “Scholars can foster relationships and engage in incredible networking — especially with how available Stanley is. He has singlehandedly helped so many of them with their careers and opportunities.”
Financial assistance is one of the program’s strongest attributes. That support made it possible for Pinto to pursue work with a mid-size firm.
“The life I have wouldn’t be possible if I had to work at a bigger firm,” says Pinto, now a business commercial litigator at Rutan & Tucker LLP in Irvine, Calif. “I wanted to have more balance in life and work at a mid-size firm with potential for partnership. It’s amazing to me that I can do what I do every day free of debt. My gratitude is off the charts.”
Previous Article
