Scholarships for Law Students

These scholarships provide financial support to law students who meet the individual criteria for an award.

 

Alia Herrera Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is open to law students who are entering their second or third year of law school or have the equivalent of one year complete. Eligible applicants are: 1) law students who are attending law schools in the New York City area; or 2) law students who are student members of the law school student section of AAJ; or 3) law students who are children of AAJ members. Scholarship applications should include a cover letter, resume, transcript, letter of recommendation from a law professor or the Dean of the law school, and a 500-word essay on (see website for topic). The recipient of this scholarship is invited to attend the Annual AAJ Convention this summer.

 

American Association for Justice (AAJ) Trial Advocacy Scholarship

This scholarship is open to all second and third-year AAJ Law Student Members. Successful applicants must demonstrate a commitment to AAJ and a dedication to its mission through extensive involvement in AAJ student chapter activities. They must also express a desire to represent victims, exhibit an interest and proficiency and skills in trial advocacy, and show a financial need for the scholarship. Applicants must submit a 500 word essay on how they meet the criteria, a recommendation from a faculty advisor, trial advocacy professor or dean, a resume, and a statement of financial need.

 

AAJ Leesfield Scholarship

Sponsored by Ira Leesfield and AAJ, this scholarship has been established to award a law student for attendance at AAJ’s Annual Convention. This scholarship is available to first and second year AAJ Law Student Members. The criteria for the scholarship are 1) statement of financial need; 2) a 500-word, written request substantiating the applicant’s commitment to preserving the civil justice system; 3) a resume; 4) up to three recommendations from a faculty advisor, trial advocacy professor, or trial lawyer; and 5) a completed form verifying your student status.

 

Attorney-CPA Foundation

The foundation awards these scholarships to selected students who have completed the second year of law school and who show a commitment to the accounting profession as evidenced by a CPA certificate. Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic performance. The scholarships are for one year only. Application is available online. The foundation also holds essay contests with a Grand Prize of $2,500.

  • Deadline: not offered in 2010
  • Awards: Two $1,000 scholarships, four $500 scholarships and four $250 scholarships
  • Contact:
          The Attorney-CPA Foundation
          3921 Old Lee Highway, Suite 71 A
          Fairfax, Virginia 22030
  • Phone: 888-ATTY-CPA
  • Fax: 703-352-8073
  • Website: http://www.attorney-cpa.com/

 

California Bar Foundation Public Interest Scholarships

The Foundation of the State Bar of California Law School Scholarships are awarded to California law students with financial need who have demonstrated a commitment to public/community service. The application must be submitted to Berkeley Law’s Financial Aid Office. The Assistant Dean for Financial Aid will nominate up to five students and will provide the Certification of Ethical Standing, Statement of Nomination, and Certification of Financial Need for each nominee to the Foundation for final selection. The Foundation bases its decisions on the following criteria:

1) candidates must be enrolled in a California law school for at least one year and be nominated by their law school;
2) candidates must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA;
3) candidates must be certified by their school as maintaining a good ethical standing and likely to pass the moral character review for admission to the state bar;
4) candidates must be certified by their school as being in financial need; and
5) candidates must be able to demonstrate and document an orientation toward public service- a minimum of 3 current references supporting his/her past experience in public service work.

 

California Teachers Association Scholarships

The California Teachers Association (CTA) offers two scholarship programs. Applications are available in October and recipients are announced in June of each year. Forms are available online.

1) CTA Scholarship for Dependent Children— up to 35 $5,000 scholarships are awarded annually to dependent children of active, retired or deceased members of CTA. Applicant must be claimed as dependent status on current year’s IRS tax forms.
2) CTA Scholarship for Members—five $3,000 scholarships are awarded annually to active CTA members, including members working on an emergency credential.

 

Dale Minami Public Interest Fellowship

The Dale Minami Public Interest Fellowship was created in 2007 to provide modest fellowship awards to Berkeley Law (Boalt Hall) students and alumni who have shown a strong commitment to serving the public interest.  Minami Fellows are selected for their diverse backgrounds, record of exceptional academic and professional accomplishment, leadership in community service, and commitment to social justice and public interest work.  Priority will be given to applicants who have worked with the Asian American Pacific Islander community.  Individuals working in any range of public interest jobs, including government work, are invited to apply.  The Fellowship recipient will be honored at our annual Dale Minami Public Interest Fellowship Dinner, which will take place on Friday, January 27, 2012 in San Francisco, CA.

 

Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund provides grants to students actively working for peace and justice.  These need-based scholarships are awarded to those able to do academic work at the university level and who are part of the progressive movement on the campus and in the community.  Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited school and receiving college credit for the time period covered by the grant, and must be living in the United States in order to apply.  Applications available in January.

 

Federal Circuit Bar Association Scholarships

The Federal Circuit Bar Assocication awards a $10,000 scholarship in the memory of Giles S. Rich, Circuit Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, to a law student showing financial need and demonstrated academic promise. The Association also annually awards other scholarships based primarily of financial need. Selection of the awards is based primarily on a written submission of no more than one page setting out the applicant’s financial need, any interests in particular areas of the law, and any qualifications for the award considered relevant by the applicant. The submission should also include the applicant’s college and law school transcripts and a one page curriculum vitae. Applicants must be nominated by their law school for the awards. Law Schools may nominate up to five candidates for consideration.

  • Deadline: April 15, 2011 
  • Award:  $10,000 Giles S. Rich Scholarship
          Amount Varies for the other judicial and founders’ scholarships 
  • Contact: Kevin R. Casey, Past President; Federal Circuit Bar Association; c/o Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young LLP, Great Valley Corporate Center; 30 Valley Stream Parkway; Malvern, PA 19355
  • Phone: (610) 640-5813
  • Last Updated: 2/7/2011

 

Finlandia Foundation Trust Scholarship

The scholarship is awarded to Finnish citizens currently enrolled in an ABA-approved U.S. law school. Application available online.

  • Deadline: February 1, 2012 
  • Award: $500 to $3,000
  • Contact: Finlandia Foundation National; PO Box 92298; Pasadena, CA 91109-2298
  • Website: http://www.finlandiafoundation.org/
  • Last Updated: 9/26/2011

 

Harvey Fellows Program

The program seeks to encourage Christian graduate students to integrate their faith and vocation and pursue leadership positions in strategic fields where Christians tend to be underrepresented. Program details, application procedures, and application forms are available online.

  • Deadline: August 1 – November 1
  • Award: $16,000 stipend (renewable)
  • Address: Harvey Fellows Program; Mustard Seed Foundation; 7115 Leesburg Pike, Suite 304; Falls Church, VA 22043
  • Website: http://www.msfdn.org/harveyfellows/overview/
  • Last Updated: 2/7/2011

 

Humane Studies Fellowships

Applications will be considered from full-time graduate or undergraduate students who have clearly demonstrated interest in the classical libertal/libertarian tradition of individual rights and market economies, and are interested in applying the principles of this tradition in their work. Program details and application forms are available online.

  • Deadline: December 31
  • Award: $2,000- $15,000
  • Contact:
          Institute for Humane Studies
          Attn: Humane Studies Fellowships
          3301 N. Fairfax Dr., Ste. 440
          Arlington, VA 22201
  • Email: HSF@TheIHS.org   
  • Website: www.TheIHS.org/hsf
  • Last Updated: 2/7/2011
          

Incorporated Society of Irish/American Lawyers Scholarship

The Incorporated Society of Irish/American Lawyers will award two scholarships in the name of the late Thomas P. Thornton, United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan, and a founding member of the society.  Applicants should have 2L or 3L status when they submit their application. Recipients are invited to the Society’s annual dinner dance in May.

 

Iranian-American Bar Association Scholarship

This scholarship was established to recognize law students committed to the advancement of the Iranian-American community. Applicants must be: of Iranian Heritage or committed to the advancement of the Iranian-American community; enrolled full-time in an accredited law school in the United States; in the position to accept the scholarship in the school year for which it is being awarded.

 

Judge John R. Brown Award

The Judge John R. Brown Scholarship Foundation recognizes excellence in legal writing with an annual award to a law student.  To be eligible, students must be pursuing their J.D. or LL.B degree at an accredited law school in the United States.  Applicants will be evaluated based on a recent paper relating to law; there are no restrictions on the length or topic of the paper.

  • Deadline: May 20, 2011
  • Award: $10,000
  • Address: Judge John R. Brown Scholarship Foundation; c/o Kenneth G. Engerrand; Brown Sims, P.C., Tenth Floor; 1177 West Loop South; Houston, TX 77027-9007
  • Website: http://www.brownsims.com/judgebrownaward.htm
  • Last Updated: 5/2/2011

 

Latham Diversity Scholars Program

Latham & Watkins Diversity Scholars program, is designed to increase the number of diverse attorneys who want to pursue careers in global law firms. The firm awards four second year law students a $10,000 non-renewable scholarship each for use during their third year of law school. Factors considered in choosing the Diversity Scholars include academic and leadership achievements, life experiences and challenges, and a desire to practice at a global law firm and contribute to its diversity objectives.

Candidates are asked to submit an application form, personal statement, resume and official or unofficial law school transcript.

  • Deadline: October 14, 2011 
  • Award: four awards of $10,000
  • Contact: Elizabeth Krichmar
  • Address: Diversity Scholars Program Selection Panel; ATTN: Heather Sardinha; Latham & Watkins LLP; 12636 High Bluff Drive, Suite 400; San Diego, CA 92130
  • Fax: (858) 523-5450 
  • Email: elizabeth.krichmar@lw.com
  • Website: http://www.lw.com/diversity
  • Last Updated: 9/16/2011

 

Otto M. Stanfield Legal Scholarship

This scholarship is funded by a trust created by Mrs. Marion Barr Stanfield for Unitarian Universalists studying the field of law. Criteria for recipients include an active relationship with Unitarian Universalism, financial need, and enrollment in an accredited institution. The recipient will be a person whom the committee believes will promote Unitarian Universalist values in the larger world. Application available online.

  • Deadline: February 15
  • Award: variable
  • Contact: Stanfield Law Scholarship
          c/o Unitarian Universalist Funding Program
          P.O. Box 301149
          Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
  • Phone: 617-971-9600
  • Website: http://www.uua.org/awards/otto.html
  • Last Updated: 1/17/2012

 

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

These fellowships are awarded for up to two years of graduate study in the United States. A New American is an individual who holds a green card or has been naturalized as a U.S. citizen or is the child of two parents who are both naturalized citizens. To be eligible a student must not be older than 31 as of November 1, 2010. A successful candidate will give evidence of at least two of the following three attributes:

1) creativity, originality and initiative demonstrated in any area of his/her life;
2) a commitment to and capacity for accomplishment, demonstrated through activity that has required drive and sustained effort; and
3) a commitment to the values expressed in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Applications are available online.

  • Deadline: November 1, 2011
  • Award: Maintenance grant of $25,000 (paid in 2 installments) and Tuition Grant
  • Contact:
          Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
          400 W. 59th Street
          New York, NY 10019
  • Phone: 212-547-6926
  • Fax: 212-548-4623
  • Email: pdsoros_fellows@sorosny.org
  • Website: http://www.pdsoros.org/  
  • Last Updated: 2/7/2011

 

Robert Masur Fellowship for Civil Liberties

The Robert Masur Fellowship for Civil Liberties is open to first-year law students.  Offered annually by The Nation Institute, it consists of a $1,000 honorarium for students who intend to carry out significant activities during the summer in between their first and second year in the areas of civil rights and/or civil liberties.  Proposed activities may include a writing or research project, work with a public interest organization, work on a civil rights or civil liberties law case under the supervision of a faculty member or lawyer, or any other work in these areas.  Applicants should send a proposal, no more than two pages, describing his or her intended summer project, along with a resume, a brief letter of recommendation, and the name of their faculty or organizational sponsor.

 

Rosenthal Bar Exam Scholarship for Public Interest

This scholarship was established by the Foundation of the State Bar of California to assist law students with the cost of their bar examination. The top winners will receive Bar/Bri Bar Exam Review Courses and the rest of the winners will receive awards to help pay Bar exam and related fees. Preference is given to applicants who can demonstrate a long-term commitment to public service. Applicants must:

1) be taking their bar examination for the first time;
2) confirm their eligibility to graduate from law school in the year of their bar exam;
3) be able to demonstrate a clear need for financial assistance; and
4) be willing to sign a waiver allowing the foundation to review their information.

Each law school in California may nominate up to four candidates for the Rosenthal Scholarship. If there are more than four Berkeley Law applicants, the Berkeley Law Scholarship Committee will select the four nominees who best meet the standards of the scholarship to forward to the Foundation of the Sate Bar.

 

SABANC Foundation Fellowship

The SABANC (South Asian Bar Association of Northern California) Foundation has a fellowship program that funds public interest fellowships for law students who are dedicated to public interest work that impacts and benefits the South Asian community in Northern California. 

Serbian Bar Association of America Scholarship

The Serbian Bar Association of American (SBAA) awards scholarships to law students who are of Serbian birth, ancestry, or connubial relationship. Applicants must submit an essay of no more than 250 words detailing how they plan to use their legal education within the Serbian American community and submit a certified copy of their law school transcript.

  • Deadline: September 15, 2011 
  • Award: 4 scholarships ranging from $500 to $2000
  • Contact: Marnie N. Bozic 
  • Address: Serbian Bar Association of America; Attn: Marnie N. Bozic; Walker Wilcox Matousek LLP; 225 W. Washington Street, Suite 2400; Chicago, IL 60601 
  • Email: mbozic@wwmlawyers.com
  • Website and Application: http://www.serbbar.org/scholarship/
  • Last Updated: 8/17/2011

 

Stephen K. Hall ACWA Water Law & Policy Scholarship

This scholarship is presented annually to a qualified graduate student majoring in law, policy or public administration with a focus or concentration in California water resources.  Eligible students must be attending a graduate or law school in the U.S., carrying at least 8 units per term and planning to attend school for the complete year in which the scholarship is awarded.

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