Ward and Smith is pleased to partner with the North Carolina Bar Association's Minorities in the Profession Committee (MIP) to hire first-year law student Genesis Torres as a 2021 Summer Associate.

It marks the fourth time that the firm has collaborated with MIP to not only engage 1L students for the Summer Associate Program but also to build a more diverse talent pipeline.

MIP is dedicated to promoting an increased presence of minorities in the legal profession through continued education and facilitating networking and mentorships between law students and practicing attorneys. Prior MIP candidates include Justin Hill, who now works as a Labor and Employment Attorney in Ward and Smith's Raleigh office, and Avery Locklear, UNC second-year law student, who will be returning as a 2021 2L Summer Associate.

"Working with MIP accomplishes two equally important goals: developing and fostering young talent and building a sustainable, diverse profession that better reflects our clients and surrounding communities," stated Melissa Forshey Schwind, Ward and Smith's Director of Attorney Recruiting, Professional Development, and Diversity and Inclusion. "The addition of Genesis strengthens our commitment to those goals, and we look forward to having her at the firm."

Ward and Smith's six-week Summer Associate Program runs May 17 through June 25.