In the spirit of giving back, Don Schweitzer and fellow PBA member Steve Yee developed the PBA Speech Scholarship Competition, an annual event that promotes speech and debate, and presents excelling high school students with an opportunity to win scholarship prizes.
At this year’s 5 th annual preliminary rounds held on May 9 at La Salle High School in Pasadena, Schweitzer Law Partners were there to support. Schweitzer, and his firm partner Casey Marticorena and associate Nitasha Khanna volunteered to judge approximately 80 high school students. Returning champion Kelsea Jeon, a junior from Arcadia High School and Alex Ye, a senior at Gabrielino High School are the two finalists who will compete, head-to-head, for a chance to win a $5,000 scholarship, presented by the Pasadena Bar Association. Second place winner will receive a $2,000 scholarship. The top 30 finalists will also have the opportunity to interview with local law firms for internships.
The final round will take place on Thursday, May 28 during the PBA’s Law Day Luncheon at the Civic Auditorium where finalists will present their speech to 150 lawyers and dignitaries, including honorary guest Congressman Adam Schiff.