The Mario Camara 1L Diversity Scholars Program
Cox Castle is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the firm and the legal profession, particularly the real estate bar. Our 1L Diversity Scholars Program is named in honor of the firm’s former managing partner Mario Camara. When Mario became managing partner in 1987, Cox Castle became the first Top 50 Los Angeles County law firm to have a managing partner of Latino heritage.
1L Scholars participate in Cox Castle’s 10-week summer associate program in our Los Angeles office. 1L Scholars receive valuable practice experience, work closely with our attorneys, and have the opportunity to attend associate trainings, team meetings, and client and other firm-sponsored events, to ensure they have a rewarding summer experience. Mentorship is also an equally important part of our summer associate program. Our mentors help guide our Scholars through all aspects of the summer program and assist them in building the foundation for being a successful lawyer.
For our 2025 summer program, 1L Scholars will be compensated by the firm at the standard summer associate salary and will be eligible to receive an additional scholarship of up to $15,000 (less applicable taxes and withholdings) paid as follows: After completing the 1L summer associate program, Scholars will be awarded a scholarship of $5,000. Cox Castle may offer 1L Scholars the opportunity to participate in the 2L summer associate program. Cox Castle will award an additional $10,000 upon completion of the 2L summer associate program to those who receive and accept an offer to return to the firm as an entry-level associate after graduation.
The 1L Diversity Scholars Program is open to first-year students who have exhibited perseverance and excellence on their path toward a career in law and a commitment to advancing diversity in the legal profession. Applicants also must be first-year J.D. students (with an anticipated graduation year of 2027) in good standing at an ABA-accredited law school. Successful candidates should have a record of academic achievement, leadership qualities, strong writing and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in real estate law in California after graduation. (Real estate law includes transactional commercial real estate, environmental, land use, and real estate litigation practices.)
Cox Castle is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age and physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.