Scholarship Recipient Mentoring Program

In 1999 the ABA took a major step forward with the creation of the Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund for law students of color. This year we need to take a major step forward for the 40 scholars now selected to receive that prestigious honor. We need you to serve as a mentor to one of our students. Although there is ample evidence of a tremendous need for financial assistance, there is also evidence that the needs of successful law students of color go far beyond simply the financial.

For many students of color the issues of isolation, social and familial pressures, racism and the need to build their skills are key impediments to completing law school and joining the profession. The ABA Scholar Mentor Program will match all scholarship recipients with at least two members (both majority and minority) of the ABA who can share their experiences, knowledge and empathy with these future leaders of the profession and association.

What commitment are we asking of you? It's simple. We ask you to make contact with your mentee at least once a month and to give us a time commitment of at least one year. We have provided you with information on the Mentor Program and hope it answers many of your questions. Please complete the enclosed form, as we will attempt to match your areas of practice, interests and geographic location to those of our scholars.

As we seek to advance the diversity of the legal profession your help with this project will be crucial. A mentoring relationship with one of our scholars will be one of the most fulfilling and important efforts in your career. Over the last two years members of the ABA have been extremely generous with financial support for the scholarship fund. This year, we need to give of ourselves. We hope you will join us.

Download the Mentor Informational Materials (PDF)

Download the Application (PDF)