Scholarships for Minority Students

Scholarships for All Minority Students

 

AAJ Richard D. Hailey Law Student Scholarships

These scholarships are open to all first- and second-year African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American, Native America, and Bi-Racial law student members of the American Association for Justice (AAJ). A 500-word essay about how you meet the criteria as well as up to three recommendations from a faculty adviser, trial advocacy professor, dean, AAJ member and/or trial lawyer are required.  Scholarships will be awarded to the applicants who best meet, but not limited to, the criteria listed below:

  1. exhibit an interest and proficiency of skills in trial advocacy;
  2. express a desire to represent victims;
  3. demonstrate a commitment to AAJ and dedication to its mission through involvement in an AAJ student chapter and Minority Caucus activities;
  4. show a financial need for the scholarship.

Applications are available on the AAJ website.

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ABA Diversity Fellowships in Environmental Law

The American Bar Association is offering fellowships in environmental law for the summer of 2012. The program is available to law students of underrepresented groups, including age, disability, sexual orientation, and cultural backgrounds. The fellowship includes a $5,000 stipend for an 8-10 week internship at a government agency or public interest organization, participation in relevant ABA meetings, and a mentor from the ABA or California Bar Association.

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ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund

The fund provides ethnic and racial minority students applying to law school with financial assistance to ensure they have the opportunity to attend for all three years. Applicants must be entering, first-year law students who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Applications are available online.

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American Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation Scholarship

Sponsored by the American Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation, the Sidney B. Williams Jr. Scholarship addresses the need to increase the number of minority intellectual property attorneys and to bring these attorneys to the attention of firms and corporations as candidates for employment The $10,000 Law Scholarships will be awarded to minority students developing a career in intellectual property law. The Thurgood Marshall College Fund is assisting the Foundation by administering the application and selection process.

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Arent Fox LLP Diversity Scholarship Program

Arent Fox offers a scholarship award of $15,000 to three first-year law students who are members of a diverse population that historically has been underrepresented in the legal profession.  The scholarship award includes a position in Arent Fox’s summer associate program for the summer after the recipient’s first year in law school.  Applicants may only apply to one office; direct questions to the appropriate contact.

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Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC will award three scholarships to diverse law students this year.  Each recipient will be awarded $10,000 during the third year of law school to help defray the cost of law school tuition and related expenses.  In addition, recipients will be given a 2L Summer Associate position at one of the offices across the country.

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Bar Association of San Francisco Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarships

These scholarships provide financial assistance to qualified students from minority groups underrepresented in Bay Area law schools. Minority students admitted into and entering an ABA-accredited law school in the Bay Area for the fall and current law students may apply.

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Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Diversity Scholarship

The Bradley Arant Boult Cummings (BABC) Diversity Scholarship is awarded annually to two students.  A $10,000 scholarship will be given to a second-year law student and a $5,000 scholarship will be given to a first-year law student.  In connection with receiving the scholarship, recipients will be required to clerk in one of BABC’s seven offices for the summer after the scholarship is awarded.  To apply, submit an application to mscrews@babc.com.

  • Deadline: February 15, 2012 for first-year students
  • Award: $10,000 for a second-year student, $5,000 for a first-year student
  • Contact: Mary Screws, Director of Recruiting
  • Email: mscrews@babc.com
  • Address: One Federal Place; 1819 Fifth Ave. North; Birmingham, AL 35203-2119
  • Website: http://www.babc.com/diversity_scholarship/
  • Last Updated: 1/17/2012

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Defense Research Institute Diversity Scholarship

DRI offers a Law Student Diversity Scholarship program open to incoming second and third-year African American, Hispanic, Asian, Pan Asian and Native American students.  Incoming second and third-year female law students are also eligible, regardless of race or ethnicity.  Students who are members of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) or otherwise affiliated with AAJ are not eligible for DRI scholarships.  Recipients of the scholarships are announced at the DRI Diversity for Success Seminar in June.

  • Deadline: April 27, 2011
  • Award: two scholarships of $10,000
  • Address: Tyler Howes, Deputy Executive Director; DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar; 55 West Monroe Street, Suite 2000; Chicago, IL 60603
  • Website and Application: http://www.dri.org/open/Article.aspx?ID=496
  • Last Updated: 6/7/2011

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Donald W. Banner Diversity Scholarship

The Donald W. Banner Diversity Scholarship is open to all students currently enrolled in an American Bar Association accredited law school and pursuing a career in intellectual property law. The applicant must be a member of a historically under represented group (including race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability) and must have exemplary writing and oral communication skills. The scholarship is part of Banner & Witcoff’s commitment to fostering the development of intellectual property lawyers from diverse backgrounds.

  • Deadline: January 5, 2012 
  • Award: $5,000
  • Contact: Donald W. Banner Diversity Scholarship, c/o Christopher Hummel, Banner & Witcoff, Ltd., 1100 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005
  • Website and Application: http://www.bannerwitcoff.com/careers/22/  
  • Last Updated: 9/9/2011

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Faegre & Benson Diversity Scholarship Program

Faegre & Benson LLP offers the diversity scholarship program which aims to encourage and support diversity in the legal profession by awarding $12,000 annually to each recipient to help pay for their final years of law school.  Applicants must be first-year law students at an accredited law school in the U.S.  Scholarship recipients will work as summer associates at one of the firm’s four U.S. offices between their first and second years of law school.  Recipients will be chosen partly on the basis of a short essay that explores how diversity has influenced their lives and how it impacts the legal profession.

  • Deadline: January 10, 2011
  • Award: two installments of $6,000 for second and third years of law school
  • Contact at Minneapolis and Des Moines: Trisha A. Selden, Manager of Junior Legal Talent Recruitment; tselden@faegre.com
  • Contact at Denver and Boulder: Kasey C. Fenn, Colorado Legal Personnel Manager; kfenn@faegre.com
  • Website: http://www.faegre.com/12396
  • Last Updated: 6/7/2011

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Farella Braun + Martel LLP Diversity Scholarship

The firm provides Diversity Scholarships to support outstanding Bay Area diverse law students attending Bay Area law schools. Applicants must be curent first-year law students who are students of color, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, disabled, or whose background or experience would otherwise contribute to the diversity of the legal profession.

  • Deadline: March 12, 2010
  • Awards: $25,000 to be divided between three to five scholarship recipients
  • Contact: Jennifer Peneyra, Recruiting & Diversity Manager
  • Address: Farella Braun + Martel LLP, Russ Building/ 235 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104
  • Phone: (415) 954-4400
  • Fax: (415) 954-4480
  • Website and Application: http://www.fbm.com/Diversity_Scholarship_Program/
  • Last Updated: 2/11/2011

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Franchise Law Diversity Scholarship Award

The International Franchise Association and DLA Piper US LLP award an annual scholarship to recognize academic achievement among minority law students and to encourage students to study franchise and distribution law.  To be eligible to apply, students have 2L or 3L status and be enrolled in at least one course oriented towards franchise law.  The 2011 application will be made available later this year.

  • Deadline: TBA
  • Awards: one award of $4,000
  • Address: Miriam L. Brewer, Director of Education & Diversity; IFA Educational Foundation; 1501 K Street, N.W., Suite 350; Washington, D.C. 20005
  • Website and Application: http://www.franchise.org/scholarships.aspx
  • Last Updated: 4/25/2011

 

Foley & Lardner Diversity Scholarship Program

The Foley & Lardner Minority Scholarship Program will award one scholarship in the amount of $5,000 to a first-year student at Boalt who is a member of one of the racial/ethnic groups as defined by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance programs (American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, or Hispanic) or identifies as LGBT. Consideration is given to significant involvement in community activities, significant involvement in diversity-related student organizations, outstanding work or personal achievements, and undergraduate records. Financial need is not a consideration.

  • Deadline: February 
  • Awards: $5,000
  • Contact:  Ms. Angela Lois, Diversity Outreach Coordinator, Legal Recruiting; Foley & Lardner LLP; 777 E. Wisconsin Avenue; Milwaukee, WI 53202  
  • Email: alois@foley.com
  • Website: www.foley.com/diversityscholarships
  • Last Updated: 2/11/2011

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Frederickson & Byron Foundation Minority Scholarship

The Foundation provides tuition support to selected minority applicants. Scholarship recipients will be chosen from among first-year law students only. The Foundation seeks students who are interested in entering private practice, especially in the Upper Midwest, when they complete their legal education.

  • Deadline: March 31, 2012 
  • Awards: $10,000
  • Contact: Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
          Attn. Greta M. Larson
          200 South Sixth Street, Suite 4000
          Minneapolis, MN 55402-1425
  • Email: glarson@fredlaw.com
  • Website: www.fredlaw.com/firm/scholarship.htm
  • Last Updated: 5/4/2011

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George A. Strait Minority Scholarship Endowment

This stipend is awarded to college graduates with law library experience who are members of a minority group as defined by current U.S. government guidelines and are degree candidates in accredited library or law schools. Application available online.

  • Deadline: April 1
  • Award: $3,500
  • Contact: American Association of Law Libraries
          Chair, Scholarships Committee
          105 W. Adams Street, Suite 3300
          Chicago, IL 60603
  • Phone: 312-939-4764, ext. 10
  • Website: www.aallnet.org/services/scholarships.asp
  • Last Updated: 2/11/2011

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Goodwin Public Interest Fellowships for Law Students of Color

The Goodwin Public Interest Fellowships offer two $7,500 awards to minority students who work in public interest during the summer after their first year of law school.  Fellows are invited to attend Goodwin Procter’s Summer Associate Program events while working in public interest after their first year of law school, and are offered an interview to be considered for the Summer Associate Program for the next summer.  In addition, Goodwin Procter partners with MassMutual to offer a third fellowship award.

 

Linn Inn Mark T. Banner Scholarship

The Linn Inn Mark T. Banner Scholarship is open to law students pursuing a career in intellectual property law. The applicant must be a member of a historically underrepresented group (including race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability) and must have exemplary writing and oral communication skills. The scholarship is part of the Richard Linn American Inn of Court’s commitment to fostering the development of intellectual property lawyers from diverse backgrounds.

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MCCA Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship Program

The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship Program provides scholarship support for newly entering first-year law students pursuing a Juris Doctor degree.  The Scholarship Program will provide scholarships at $10,000 per year for up to three years.  Applicants must be U.S. citizens and must be accepted into an ABA-accredited U.S. law school on or before the application deadline.  Applicant must have interest in corporate law and diversity.

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Michigan Auto Law Diversity Scholarship

Michigan Auto Law offers an annual scholarship to a law student who is committed to diversity.  To be eligible, students must be a resident of Michigan and must be a member of a racial or ethnic minority group.  In addition, students must demonstrate high academic achievement and involvement in issues of diversity within the academic community.  The award recipient will be notified by June 1, 2012.

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Milbank Diversity Scholarships

The firm provides Diversity Scholarships to create opportunities to bring about a more diverse workplace. Each year, Milbank will name up to five scholarship recipients who will be offered a salaried summer associate position in one of the firm’s three domestic offices and a $15,000 scholarship to be distributed at the beginning of a student’s third year of law school. Students who are members of groups traditionally under-represented in large law firms are encouraged to apply. Factors considered in the selection include academic achievement, demonstrated leadership ability, excellent writing and interpersonal skills and a sincere interest in Milbank’s practice. Applications are available on their website.

  • Deadline: September 1, 2011 
  • Awards: Up to five scholarships
  • Contact: Milbank Diversity Scholars Selection Committee; Attn: Allison Levitt, Manager of Law School Recruiting; Milbank, Tweed, Hadley, & McCloy LLP; 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza; New York, NY 10005
  • Phone: (212) 530-5757
  • Fax: (212) 822-5757
  • Email: jdezego@milbank.com
  • Website: http://www.milbank.com/en/Diversity/
  • Last Updated: 2/11/2011 

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Nuclear Age Peace Foundation Internships

These internships are offered to students seeking experience in the peace and disarmament field. Candidate must be a student who is currently enrolled in an accredited college or university. This internship is only offered during the summer. Application available online.

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Wiley Manuel Law Foundation Scholarship

Wiley William Manuel (1927-1981) was the first African American California Supreme Court Justice. Justice Manuel was deeply concerned about the social, economic, and legal problems facing persons of color. The Foundation awards scholarships to Northern California law students who best exemplify the qualities of the late Justice Wiley.

  • Deadline: March 15, 2011
  • Award: varies
  • Contact: Law Offices of George Holland
          1970 Broadway, Ste. 1030
          Oakland, CA 94612
  • Download Application
  • Last Updated: 2/18/2011

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Womble Carlyle Scholars Programs

Established in 2004, the Womble Carlyle Scholars Program awards scholarships to diverse rising second year law students who present solid academic credentials, personal achievement outside the school environment, and significant participation in community service.  This program is designed to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the bar.  The scholarship is awarded to diverse law students at schools in most of the states in which the firm has offices.
In addition to the scholarship, an offer of summer employment as a Summer Associate in one of the firm’s eleven offices is extended to the Scholar after his/her second year of law school.  The Scholar may choose to work at the firm all, half(at least six weeks), or none of the summer.  The firm will determine in which office the Scholar works, but every effort will be made to satisfy the Scholar’s office preference.  Scholar salaries during the summer will be the same as the firm’s other Summer Associates in each office.
The scholarship application consists of two parts and may be submitted separately.  A complete application, cover letter and resume are to be submitted by May 16, 2011.  The final portion of the scholarship application is due by Tuesday, July 8, 2011.

  • Deadline: May 16, 2011 
  • Award: $4,000
  • Contact: Beath Keasler, Director of Entry-Level Recruiting & Development; Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC; 301 S. College St., Suite 3500; Charlotte, NC 28202 
  • Email: bkeasler@wcsr.com
  • Website and Application: http://www.wcsr.com/firm/diversity
  • Last Updated: 2/11/2011

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