Cornell Tech has announced the launch of the Michael Mills Memorial LegalTech Scholarship, with its first recipient being Suby Valluri, CEO of FinMont and a student in the Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship programme.
The scholarship, created by over 50 donors, honours Michael Mills, a pioneer in legal technology, and supports students at the intersection of law and technology.
The scholarship commemorates Michael Mills, co-founder of Neota and Central Park Conservancy, who was instrumental in advancing legal tech and pro bono services.
Matthew D’Amore, director of the Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship Programme at Cornell Tech, highlighted the scholarship's role in fostering future legal tech innovation.
Oz Benamram, a founding donor, emphasised the community's aim to make the scholarship a permanent resource for aspiring legal tech leaders.
A worthy recipient
Valluri, who will graduate in 2026, is known for his work in combining law, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology.
He expressed that receiving the scholarship is a significant milestone in his career, reflecting Mills’s legacy of mentorship and innovation.
Valluri plans to use the scholarship to develop "smart agreements," which integrate legal language with computer code to streamline global transactions.
By supporting students like Valluri, the scholarship seeks to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of legal systems, ensuring Mills’s commitment to progress endures.
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