Don Scales joined Relman Colfax in 2022 as a civil rights paralegal. His work focuses on supporting the firm’s civil rights litigation and civil rights counseling practices.
Before joining Relman Don worked as a server and floor manager at a small boutique restaurant in Washington D.C.
In high school, Don received a full scholarship to the University of Maryland, College Park from the Baltimore Incentive Awards Program which is granted on the basis of outstanding character, academic commitment, financial need, and the ability to prevail against difficult circumstances, among other qualities.
While in college, Don was a 4-year mentor for The Choice Program. “I brought and assisted inner-city elementary and middle school students on campus with homework and mentoring. As a former participant in the program, I can attest to how a change of scenery can positively change a child’s sense of agency and make them feel confident that they can become whatever they choose to. ‘The overarching program goals are to disentangle young people from the juvenile justice system and to strengthen youth and family ties to the community through increased educational and vocational opportunities.’”
Don was also a fellow in the M.O.O.R.E undergraduate research program his senior year. His thesis was “How Television Makes Incarceration Seem Like a Natural Occurrence For Black Men”. Don graduated with a BA in Criminology & Criminal Justice.
Don later received his MBA magna cum laude from UMD and a Certification in Paralegal Studies from Georgetown University. Don wants to continue a legal career and possibly attend law school in the future and work for Relman Colfax as an attorney.
In his free time, Don loves being with family, watching videos on astrophysics, and cooking.
