Murphy Family Scholarship Awarded to University of Maryland School of Law Student Victoria Daka

On Friday, March 1, 2013, the Black Law Students Association of the University of Maryland Carey School of Law held its annual awards dinner, announcing scholarships to students as well as honoring high-achieving members of the community (managing partner Hassan Murphy received the ‘Practitioner of the Year’ award).

Victoria Daka, a second-year law student, was the recipient of this year’s Honorable William H. and Madeline W. Murphy Scholarship, which is awarded to students who not only show exceptional academic merit but display the kind of activism, thoughtfulness, and maturity that promotes change in the communities they choose to serve.

Ms. Daka, who has focused her studies on transactional services with the intent of entering the public service sector, has wanted to become a lawyer since the age of six, a decision borne out of a fascination with Johnnie Cochran’s famed O.J. Simpson trial.

With her interests now focused more broadly on the intersection of business and the law, Ms. Daka has contributed to a number of organizations in addition to her work with BLSA. This includes the school’s Professionalism & Diversity Committee, where she has prepared panels featuring speakers who coach students through the rigors of financing law school, as well as the variety of public service careers available to them after graduation. The committee also aims to take a more practical approach to legal education by sharpening the school’s curriculum.

The Murphy family remains dedicated to helping special students-those with the right passion and commitment-get the education they need to become leaders in the legal field and forces for good within their communities. We extend our formal congratulations to Ms. Daka and wish her the best as she continues her legal career.