Francisco Zamora High Quality Photo

Francisco Zamora of Robstown, Texas is one of about thirty students participating in the 2010 Indiana Conference for Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) Summer Institute in Valparaiso, Indiana.  CLEO is a program designed to assist Indiana minority, low income or educationally disadvantaged college graduates in pursuing a law degree and a career in the Indiana legal community.

Zamora is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Francisco Zamora.  He is a 2003 graduate of Robstown High School where he was salutatorian of his high school class and participated in band and academic competitions.  He is a 2007 graduate of Wabash College with a degree in both Mathematics and Spanish.  He was active in many organizations, consistently made the Dean’s List, and was awarded a scholarship during his junior year.  Zamora plans to attend Notre Dame Law School in the fall and was honored to be named a CLEO Fellow. “I am fortunate to have been chosen as a CLEO Fellow and will always remember the opportunity that was granted to me.  As a teacher, I strongly believed in aiding the community, and this has reinforced my conviction.”

Indiana CLEO was established in 1997 by the Indiana General Assembly and Governor Frank O’Bannon at the urging of Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard.  Chief Justice Shepard explained, “Over the past 13 years CLEO has encouraged young adults with promise to enter the legal field.  These are students who traditionally do not turn to a career choice in the legal arena, but with CLEO as a spring board they are successful.  I’m proud of each student and excited to see what talents the newest CLEO class brings to the legal community.” 

Each year, Indiana CLEO accepts approximately 30 college graduates into the program.  The students attend a six-week Summer Institute held at one of the four Indiana law schools.  This year, the program is at Valparaiso University School of Law.  CLEO is designed to prepare the students for the rigors of their upcoming law school experience.  The students are introduced to areas of law which they will encounter during their first year of law school.  They take part in a challenging curriculum and receive tips for law school success and professional development.  The Indiana Supreme Court’s Division of State Court Administration provides staff support and financial management for CLEO.

After successful completion of the Indiana CLEO Summer Institute, students are eligible for an annual stipend ranging from $6,500 - $9,000.   Stipends may be awarded for up to three successive years if the student remains eligible.  After graduation, CLEO Fellows continue to have a supportive network of legal mentors comprised of alumni and program supporters.