Wellington attorney Ron Herman, managing partner of Herman Law P.A., recently announced that Kahleel Foster has been chosen as the winner of the 2019 Herman Law inaugural Second Chance Scholarship.

The Second Chance Scholarship provides assistance to a deserving college student who is a convicted felon or a child of a convicted felon and who overcame personal obstacles in the pursuit of a college education.

While millions of students have access to federal loans and grants each year, individuals with a criminal record may be ineligible for such financial aid.

The best way to reduce recidivism is to educate inmates so that they are better able to reintegrate into society, Herman explained. In addition, beyond the incarcerated person, entire families and communities suffer. “Education is the cornerstone of criminal justice reform, and we are excited to give a deserving student a second chance,” he added.

Herman Law P.A. thanks Rock Legal, which joined as a sponsor of the scholarship.

Foster wrote the winning essay, detailing his background.

“My mother was a teen mom, she got pregnant when she was 16. My father has been in and out of prison since I was three years old. On paper, the odds were stacked against me, but I was blessed to have a strong mother who would not let statistics dictate our future,” Foster wrote.

After college, Foster would like to help others. “I would like to create a business that ensures that ex-offenders after release have a support system to help them get back on their feet,” he wrote.

The $700 scholarship award can be applied to any school-related costs.

Herman Law P.A. is an established West Palm Beach white collar criminal defense firm. Herman defends complex cases, with experience representing companies and professionals fighting government investigations. With litigation experience spanning two decades, Herman has handled more than 150 jury trials during his esteemed career. For more info., visit www.rhlawfl.com.