Awarded Grants

This grant supports the Legal Education Advancing Diversity (LEAD) program which offers students and graduates from underrepresented background the opportunity to participate in year-long program. The program provides these students with LSAT preparation, strategies for creating a competitive law school application, support throughout the application process, and a mentorship program.

The University of Hawai’i William S. Richardson School of Law received a grant to support the Ulu Lehua Scholars Program.  The Ulu Lehua Scholars Program supports a cohort of incoming J.D. students from diverse backgrounds who have overcome adversity and who show a commitment to work with underserved communities. Student participants receive financial, academic, and moral support throughout their law school careers. Grant funding will be used to expand recruitment efforts to rural communities in Hawaii and the Pacific, bolster academic support for participants through student tutors, provide financial and academic assistance in preparation for the bar exam, and conduct a comprehensive program assessment.

A $125,000 grant was awarded to the American Bar Association (ABA) Fund for Justice and Education for the Evaluation of Key ABA Pipeline Programs project. The project intends to measure the effectiveness of three ABA Fund for Justice and Education pipeline programs: the Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund; the Judicial Clerkship Program; and, the Judicial Internship Opportunity Program.

Since 2002, The IIT Chicago-Kent Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) program offers a three-week program for college students who are underrepresented in the legal profession. The three-week summer institute intends to: introduce participants to law school and the legal profession; provide participants with substantive skills to strengthen their preparation for law school; and educate and prepare participants for the law school application and admissions process. Grant funding will support efforts to improve and enhance program curriculum, engage first and second year college students and strengthen the program evaluation and assessment process. 

To read more, please visit https://www.kentlaw.iit.edu/academics/pre-law-undergraduate-scholars-program

The Ron Brown Prep Program supports students from traditionally underserved and underrepresented groups—who are often the first in their families to attend college—as they apply to law school and pursue legal careers. Grant funding will support program efforts to increase the number of student participants, make the current program more affordable for students, strengthen ties with program alumni, and improve program measurement and evaluation methods.

To read more, please visit http://www.stjohns.edu/law/ronald-h-brown-center-civil-rights/ronald-h-brown-law...

The Ohio State University, in partnership with the Law and Leadership Institute, currently administers academic enrichment programs offered at eight law schools in Ohio’s six largest cities for high schoolers primarily from urban public school districts. Grant funding will support program efforts to extend the existing early stage pipeline program through college and into law school. The program seeks to improve student participant college GPAs, improve college persistence, and ultimately help students from diverse backgrounds gain admission to law school. 

To read more, please visit http://www.lawandleadership.org/

The University of Baltimore School of Law, Charles Hamilton Houston Scholars Program helps underrepresented college freshmen and sophomores develop the academic skills needed to improve undergraduate performance and enhance opportunity for admission to, and success in, law school. Grant funding will support efforts to enhance a three week academic readiness course, establish long term mentoring and networking relationships for students, provide continued support to students throughout college, and provide guidance and direction to complete the application process and enroll in law school.   

To read more, please visit http://law.ubalt.edu/admissions/diversity/chhsp/

The University of Houston Law Center Pre-Law Pipeline program is designed to increase the diversity of law school applicants by providing law school preparatory resources–LSAT preparation, introductory law school classes, internships, and professional development sessions–for undergraduate students who are first generation, low income, or members of groups underrepresented in the legal profession. Grant funding will support the administration of the eight-week on-campus summer program and internship. Funding will also support expanded recruitment of students from minority serving institutions.

To read more, please visit http://www.law.uh.edu/pipeline/

The UCLA Law Fellows program intends to demystify the law school experience for underrepresented minority students, economically disadvantaged students, and first generation students. Program activities include a series of monthly Saturday academies, support for an LSAT prep course, and continued support and guidance through the law school application process.