NEW YORK (Diya TV) — Indian-origin Cornell Tech student Suby Valluri has made history by becoming the first recipient of the Michael Mills Memorial LegalTech Scholarship, a new award that highlights the growing link between law and technology. Cornell Tech announced the launch of the scholarship on Dec. 19, 2025. The award honors Michael Mills, a pioneer in legal technology, and marks a milestone for the campus’s Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship program.
Valluri, who is set to graduate in 2026, is pursuing a Master of Laws degree at Cornell University. He also holds a Ph.D. in quantitative economics and a master’s degree in law. The Michael Mills Memorial LegalTech Scholarship is the first of its kind at Cornell Tech. A group of more than 50 donors created the scholarship to celebrate Mills’s legacy and his impact on legal innovation.
Cornell Tech said the scholarship will support students who want to build careers at the intersection of law and technology. Valluri is the inaugural recipient, setting the standard for future awardees in the LL.M. program. University officials described the scholarship as a reflection of Cornell Tech’s mission to combine technology, entrepreneurship, and public good.
Suby Valluri brings a rare mix of academic and professional experience to Cornell Tech. He is the co-founder and CEO of FinMont, a travel payments startup. His work focuses on improving how people and businesses handle cross-border payments.
Valluri’s research blends law, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology. At Cornell Tech, he aims to turn complex legal systems into tools that are easier to use and understand. He said receiving the scholarship represents a major moment in his career.
“Receiving the Michael Mills Memorial LegalTech Scholarship marks a profoundly meaningful step in my professional journey,” Valluri said in a statement released by Cornell University.
Valluri plans to use the scholarship support to expand his research into “smart agreements.” These agreements combine traditional legal language with computer code. He said these tools can make contracts more transparent and secure. They can also reduce costs for people who send money across borders.
“My broader aim is to make cross-border transactions more transparent, affordable, and secure,” Valluri said.
He added that the scholarship gives him time and confidence to test new ideas and build working prototypes. He also plans to take a more active role in Cornell Tech’s LegalTech community.
The scholarship honors Michael Mills, a respected leader in legal technology. Mills co-founded Neota, a company that helped lawyers build legal software without writing code. His work opened the door for wider use of technology in legal practice. Mills also played a major role in public service. He co-founded the Central Park Conservancy and Pro Bono Net. Pro Bono Net uses technology to expand access to free legal services.
In addition, Mills funded innovation awards in the College of Law Practice Management. He also mentored many professionals who moved from traditional legal roles into technology-driven careers. Cornell Tech said the scholarship reflects Mills’s lifelong commitment to mentorship, creativity, and innovation. Valluri said the scholarship means more than financial support. He said it connects him to a larger network of thinkers and builders.
“Most importantly, it connects me with a network of thinkers and builders who share a common purpose,” he said. That purpose, he added, is to make legal systems more transparent, equitable, and adaptable through technology.
Cornell Tech leaders said they expect the scholarship to attract more students interested in legal technology, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship. As the first recipient, Valluri’s work is likely to shape how the program grows in the coming years.
