Law Firm Awards College Scholarships To City Students

News release from the law firm Berchem, Moses & Devlin:

The law firm of Berchem, Moses & Devlin, P.C. has announced that Ophelia Barnett, a 2013 graduate of Bridgeport’s Central Magnet High School, has been named the winner of the inaugural Berchem, Moses & Devlin New Opportunities Scholarship. She will be awarded $5,000 for her college expenses.

Ophelia, who plans to pursue a medical career, will attend the University of Connecticut. She wrote in her essay for the scholarship competition that she remembered her grandmother from Jamaica telling her, “When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will find a way to become successful.”

Attorney Robert L. Berchem, principal and president of Berchem, Moses & Devlin, P.C., said the firm has decided this year to increase the amount it will give in scholarship awards to more than $7,500. In addition to the $5,000 scholarship initially planned, the firm will award a second-place winner $1,000 and will give smaller amounts to 10 runners-up.

Felicia Salgado, also of Central Magnet High School, will receive the $1,000 scholarship. She plans to pursue a career in criminal justice and will attend the University of New Haven.

The law firm created the New Opportunities Scholarship as a way to mark its 80th anniversary this year. The firm will award scholarships over the next four years to deserving graduates of Bridgeport high schools. Different graduates each year will receive the scholarships. The firm has committed at least $20,000 to the scholarship program and will consider renewing the program after the initial four years.

The scholarship winners were selected based on academic achievement, financial need, and essays on the theme “What the scholarship means to me.” Lawyers from the firm and the Rev. Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J., Fairfield University’s senior vice president for academic affairs, made the final selections.

“The winners of the New Opportunities Scholarship awards have worked so hard and show such promise,” said Mr. Berchem. “Our firm is delighted to help them realize their college dreams.”

Berchem, Moses & Devlin is a multi-specialty law practice with offices in Milford and Westport. Since 1933, the firm has provided high quality legal services throughout Connecticut. Clients include individuals, small and midsize businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies. For more information, please visit www.bmdlaw.com.