Northwestern Pritzker School of Law received a commitment of $1 million to establish and fund the Hammes Family Scholarship, which will be used to provide scholarship support for first-generation students with demonstrated financial need and high academic achievement.
The establishment of the scholarship ensures that a student’s opportunities are not affected by their ability to pay, while simultaneously bolstering the law school’s resources for first-gen students.
“The Hammes Family Scholarship will provide important support for first-generation students,” said Hari Osofsky, dean of Northwestern Pritzker Law. “This scholarship aims to open opportunities through needed financial support.”
Jeffrey Hammes made the scholarship commitment. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1985. He joined Kirkland & Ellis that same year and was a partner from 1991 until his retirement at the end of 2019.
“Students who are first generation bring unique perspectives and are necessary voices within the legal community,” Hammes said. “It is my hope that the Hammes Family Scholarship creates opportunities for these students by decreasing the financial burden of a law school education.”
As head of Kirkland & Ellis, Hammes facilitated a close relationship with Northwestern and has hired thousands of fellow alumni. He is a life member on the Law Board at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Ravinia Festival Association and the Wisconsin School of Business Advisory Board.
