Baer Law Announces Essay Contest Winner

STOP THE VIOLENCE: Dillard University Book Scholarship

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA, December 2019 — Baer Law LLC is a leading inadequate security law firm in the region.  Because of its inadequate security work, Baer Law knows first-hand about the violence problem facing New Orleans.  To encourage conversations on how to improve the crime situation and take proactive steps to find a resolution to the problem, Baer Law has begun a program to engage with the education community to help find solutions to the crime problem. 

For their first endeavor, Baer Law partnered with Dillard University to create a scholarship for students who are actively involved in and/or passionate about solving the crime problem.  The Baer Law scholarship consisted of an essay contest, the topic of which was “A Plan to Stop the Violence in New Orleans.” 

Recently, Jason Baer, owner and Managing Partner of Baer Law, announced that the first ever recipient of the scholarship was Mattie Harris. Ms. Harris is a sophomore at Dillard University and is majoring in social work and minoring in psychology. After completing her undergraduate program, she plans to achieve both a master’s degree and a PhD. Ms. Harris expressed, “I selected Dillard to pursue my passion for helping others through social work.  I’m from Shreveport, Louisiana which faces similar issues with violence, and I feel I can make a difference in these communities.”

At the award ceremony on December 10th, Mr. Baer commented, “Mattie Harris has written an excellent essay addressing the issue of how to stop the violence. She brought up great points about how businesses should contribute to the community and stop the violence. These points are very relevant in light of the recent shooting at the Small Business Incubator on SUNO’s campus.  Businesses everywhere need to understand their responsibilities and help make the community safer.”

Ms. Harris’ winning essay discussed what effects violent crime has on the community, why businesses should take steps to increase security on their premises with security guards and cameras, and she also provided a few specific suggestions to help solve the crime problem by getting support of colleges majors like criminal justice and social work to start collegiate chapters to combat crime. In the conclusion of her essay she stated. “In order to achieve maximum success and growth from the New Orleans community, it’s imperative that everyone takes a stand on violent crimes. Without the help of community organizations, businesses, and security the community will not be able to thrive to its full potential. Providing more and better security will allow citizens to feel safe in their own homes and truly enhance the family atmosphere. There is more to the whole than the sum of its parts.”

Also present for the ceremony were Kimberly Woodard, Director of Development at Dillard University, Baer Law attorneys Casey DeReus and Joshua Stein, and paralegals Stacie Coleman and Dana Ward. Ms. Woodard stated, “Dillard University looks forward to continuing the scholarship program with Baer Law and hopes to create other programs on the topic to stop the violence.”

Knowledge is power, and Baer Law wants everyone to know that they have legal rights when someone is shot or attacked at an apartment complex, fast food restaurant, or even on a campus.  From the recent shooting at a Slidell McDonald’s, to the mass shooting on Canal Street, innocent victims face violence every day.  Baer Law handles shooting cases, so our attorneys know first-hand how tragic these cases can be.  That is why Baer Law sponsored the Stop the Violence Scholarship with Dillard University to encourage dialogue on ways to stop the violence in Louisiana.