As law firms across the nation take steps to boost minority representation in the legal profession, South Florida-based Kluger, Kaplan, Silverman, Katzen & Levine P.L. is expanding its own focus on diversity. In September, the firm awarded second-year University of Florida law school student Manoach Deliscar its H.T. Smith Legal Studies Scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year. At the same time, the firm announced that inaugural scholarship recipient Briana Harris is joining Kluger Kaplan as an associate.

Originally from Haiti, Deliscar is a first-generation law student who credits his Haitian heritage as having helped shape his identity. Forced to flee his homeland following the devastating earthquake in 2010, Deliscar is no stranger to the challenges that young minorities face and how even the smallest actions can have a monumental impact, according to the firm.

“When reviewing this year’s group of applicants, it was evident from Mr. Deliscar’s background and hard-working nature that he shared similar values to that of our firm and would be an ideal candidate for the scholarship program,” said Alan J. Kluger of Kluger Kaplan. “Our goal with the scholarship remains to not only secure qualified candidates, but to focus on diversity and inclusion within our firm for the long-term and also encourage other firms to create similar initiatives.”