The ABA YLD Scholarship Program is designed to encourage the participation of minority, solo/small firm, government, private sector, and military service attorneys in the Young Lawyers Division. A priority will be given to those applicants who express a desire to become actively involved with the ABA YLD and require financial assistance.

The program consists of:

• Mentoring by the sponsoring YLD Entity
• Per the Division's financial policy, scholars will receive partial funding to attend the Fall Conference, ABA Midyear Meeting and Spring Conference: round-trip airfare up to $350; $20 ground transportation; and $100 per diem (for two days)

What is expected of scholars:

• Attendance at the YLD Fall Conference, ABA YLD Midyear Meeting, and the YLD Spring Conference
  • Scholars must attend scheduled programming on Friday and Saturday of each meeting
• Assist on projects that maybe assigned

- General Practice, Solo &: Small Firm Practitioners

- Government, Public Sector and Military Lawyers

- Minorities in the Profession

One Bar Year (September 1 - August 31)

To be eligible, a scholar must be a "young lawyer," which is defined as any licensed attorney who is under the age of thirty-six or who has been licensed for no more than five years at the start of the scholarship year (September 1).  Applicants for this scholarship program should be ABA YLD-eligible lawyers who fall within at least one of the scholarship areas. There is no requirement that applicants be presently involved with a local ABA YLD affiliate. Although applications will be accepted from non-ABA members, any person chosen as a scholarship recipient must be an ABA member before receiving assistance. In addition, anyone receiving a scholarship must agree to attend all three funded conferences.

The selection will be based on the individual's achievement, commitment to The organized bar and the Young Lawyer Division's mission and goals and financial need. Scholars will be required to attend Division's Spring and Fall conferences and the ABA Midyear Meeting during the bar year.

June 15, 2008: Deadline for all applications and supporting material

August 1, 2008: Scholars selected and all applicants will be notified of outcome

Applications and supporting material must be received no later than June 15, 2008 in electronic form (preferably as one document in either PDF or Microsoft Word format) via email at yld@staff.abanet.org. If email is not available, a copy saved on a disc can be mailed to Tracy Kaempf at ABA YLD, 321 North Clark Street, Suite 1800, Chicago, IL 60610 (fax nominations will not be considered).

The application must include the following items:

1. A completed and signed application form
2. An application letter outlining why you would like to become involved in the ABA YLD
3. A biographical resume
4. Two to four letters of recommendation. Examples include letters from current or former employers and fellow practitioners.