Public Interest 
Bar Exam Scholarship

The Need: The Public Interest Bar Exam Scholarship addresses a critical financial need for many aspiring public interest lawyers – the costs associated with taking the California Bar Exam.

The Background: Since 1997, the Foundation has offered one of the few scholarship programs in the country specifically aimed at providing Bar exam-related support for law school graduates pursuing public interest careers.  

Without the support of a private law firm employer, the exam fee, cost of a Bar review course and living expenses, while studying for the exam, can add thousands of dollars to a law school graduate’s debt burden. 

Our Commitment:  Through the Public Interest Bar Exam Scholarship, each spring the Foundation awards BarBri Bar exam review courses (valued at more than $4,000) and cash awards to recent and soon-to-be graduates of California law schools.  

Scholarship Applications

Application Deadline 
The 2013 Application Deadline has passed. Check back in early 2014 for application materials. 

Please direct questions to Natalia Merluzzi 
at (415) 856-0780 or scholarships@calbarfoundation.org

Past Scholarship Winners

Click here to see our Public Interest Bar Exam Scholarship Honor Roll.

Public Interest Bar Exam Scholarship Fund

Join other law firms, corporations and individuals in funding a Public Interest Bar Exam Scholarship. Your $5,000 tax-deductible gift provides funding for and allows you to name a Public Interest Bar Exam Scholar. 

To learn about funding a Public Interest Bar Exam Scholarship, contact Joe Swimmer at jswimmer@calbarfoundation.org.

Click HERE to download a Public Interest Bar Exam Scholarship Pledge Form. 

2013 Public Interest Bar Exam Scholarship Recipients

“For these future public interest lawyers, the California Bar Exam is the last hurdle to clear before beginning practice... Seyfarth, like the California Bar Foundation, is committed to ensuring access to quality legal services for all Californians, not just for those who can afford it.”






-Allegra R. Rich
Pro Bono & Philanthropy Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

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2013 Recipients: A Snapshot of California's Diverse Legal Profession

This year's 15 winners represent 11 law schools from throughout California. Their passions, interests and legal backgrounds are as diverse and varied as the schools they attend. 


The recipients include a Fulbright Scholar, a published author and a public health advocate. 


Explore the map to see where each of our winners attends law school and discover what drives their passion for public interest law.  

Read more about each of the 2013 Recipients