The Diversity Scholarship seeks to support newly admitted law students from groups historically underrepresented in the legal profession who have committed to attend a California law school. Candidates apply for the Scholarship at the beginning of the summer prior to commencing their law school studies. The Scholarship helps pay the costs of obtaining a law school education, including tuition, fees, books, and related education expenses. Awards of up to $7,500 recognize incoming first-year law students with financial need who demonstrate a desire to make a positive impact as a community leader.

The Diversity Scholarship is awarded in the fall of 2010 for the 2010-2011 academic year. The 2010 Application Deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16, 2010.

Criteria

1. Candidate must be:
   • Accepted and have committed to enroll in a California law school at the time of submitting a Diversity Scholarship Application; and
   • Starting his or her first year at a California law school in the 2010-2011 academic year.

2. Candidate must self-identify as being from a racial or ethnic group that historically has been underrepresented in the legal profession.

3. Candidate must demonstrate financial need.

4. Candidate must be committed to making an impact in the community through leadership (there is no requirement that Candidate intend to pursue a career as a public interest attorney).

5. Candidate must submit two current signed letters of recommendation (letters may be copies of letters submitted with Candidate's law school applications). If possible, at least one letter should address Candidate's leadership qualities and/or community involvement.

6. Candidates are not nominated by their law school and should send application materials directly to the Foundation by the Application Deadline.

7. Candidates from online law schools must be California residents.

Instructions

1. All portions of the Application must be received by the Foundation by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 (the "Application Deadline"). Attachments, letters of recommendation, and law school documents may be submitted separately, though Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit one packet with all application materials. Applications not received in full by the Foundation by the Application Deadline will not be considered.

2. Applications may be submitted by mail, delivery service, fax, or email as a PDF to:

   Diversity Scholarship Program
   California Bar Foundation
   180 Howard Street
   San Francisco, CA 94105
   Fax: (415) 856-0788
   jguillory@calbarfoundation.org

   Fax is the least optimal way to submit the application, though it is permitted. If faxing, please make sure that all pieces of the application are easily readable and sent together.

3. Applications postmarked by the Application Deadline but not received in full by the Application Deadline will not be accepted.

4. All documents submitted in association with Candidate's Application for the Diversity Scholarship should include the name of Candidate on each page including law school documents and letters of recommendation.

5. Applications submitted via email should be sent as a single PDF document.

6. See the Application Checklist for a complete list of required documentation that must be submitted.

1. Diversity Scholarship Recipients must:
   • Attend a reception and luncheon in their honor, which is currently scheduled for Thursday, September 30, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. in Los Angeles. The Foundation will provide stipends to help cover the travel costs of attending this event for Recipients not living in the Los Angeles area. Failure to attend may result in forfeiture of Recipient's Diversity Scholarship, without notice.
   • Provide the Foundation, in a timely fashion, contact information for every date between the Application Deadline and the date of the Scholarship Reception. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of Recipient's Diversity Scholarship, without notice.
   • Report back to the Foundation on the progress of their legal education at the end of their first year of law school.

2. Diversity Scholarship Recipients will be requested to provide a recent digital photograph of themselves upon receiving notification of their award. Please do not send photos with Application.

3. The Foundation reserves the right to use information from Applications and letters of recommendation as part of its publicity of Diversity Scholarship Recipients.

4. Diversity Scholarship Award Recipients receiving named scholarships may be asked to contact donors supporting their scholarships and invited to attend firm events.