The John Marshall Law School

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Scholarships

The John Marshall Law School funds, jointly funds, or supports a number of scholarships and grants to promote diversity, some of which are briefly described below. More scholarships appear here.

In addition, there are numerous scholarships and grants offered by sources other than The John Marshall Law School that provide financial assistance to racial and ethnic minority students.

Current Diversity Scholarships

Professor Ralph Ruebner (left) and Dean John E. Corkery (right) congratulate third-year student Ilvian Ortega as the 2007 recipient of the Ralph and Evelyn Ruebner Scholarship.

ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship:
Encourages racial and ethnic minority students to attend law school and provides financial assistance. More Information

Black Women Lawyers Association of Greater Chicago, Inc.:
This is a book scholarship provided to law students with financial need. More Information

Davis Write Tremaine LLP 1L Diversity Scholarship:
Two scholarships are awarded for $7,500 for the student's second year tuition and expenses. The recipients must commit to becoming a Summer Associate. More Information

Dinsmore & Shohl Diversity Scholarship:
Multiple scholars are selected, and each receives a salaried summer associate position and up to a $10,000 scholarship. The criteria include academic achievement and leadership qualities. More Information

Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship
Baker Donelson will award three $10,0000 scholarships to diverse law students, which will be paid prior to the student's third year of law school to help defray the cost of law school tuition and related expenses. Additionally, recipients will be awarded a six-week, salaried 2L Summer Associate position. More Information

Harter Secrest & Emery LLP Diversity Scholarship:
This scholarship is for First year law students. Harter Secrest & Emery will award a scholarship to be applied to the student's second year tuition and a paid 10-week summer associate position between the first and second year of law school. More Information

Burt B. Hirsch Memorial Scholarship:
Established by the Hirsch family to honor the memory of Burt B. Hirsch, an immigrant from Germany who opened a clothing store on the southside of Chicago. Mr. Hirsch developed relationships with many African-American business and religious leaders. This award is to support the academic endeavors of deserving African-American students in pursuit of legal education. More Information

Helen M. Thatcher Scholarship:
Established in memory of the late associate dean, to recognize women who display strong academic achievement. Thatcher was an integral part of the John Marshall community for more than 40 years, and was committed to excellence in education. More Information

Hellenic Bar Association: *
Awarded to second-year and third-year law students of Hellenic descent. More Information

Hispanic Scholarship Fund:
To qualify for this scholarship, a student must be of Hispanic heritage and enrolled full-time in a graduate program with academic achievement. More Information

Illinois Bar Foundation: *
Students must be second-year or third-year with financial need and academic achievement. More Information

Illinois Judicial Council: *
Awarded to Illinois Law students with financial need. More Information

Justinian Society: *
Awarded to law students of Italian descent. More Information

K & L Gates LLP Diversity Fellowship:
The Seattle office of K&L Gates will be offering a National 1L Diversity Fellowship to one first year law student. The recipient is awarded a paid summer associate position in K&L's summer class, and an academic scholarship. More Information

Latin American Bar Association:
Granted to members of the Hispanic/Latino descent. More Information

Martin C. Hausman Scholarship:
Established in the memory of an alumnus of the class of 1937 for an entering minority student, with preference given to candidates recommended by the Better Boys Foundation of Chicago. More Information

McAndrews, Held & Malloy Diversity in Patent Law Fellowship:
Fellowship and a paid summer clerkship offered to a qualified first year student who has a diverse background, possesses a degree in science or engineering, and is committed to pursuing a career in patent law in Chicago. More Information

Melvin B. Lewis Decalogue Society:
Granted to members of the Decalogue Society with financial need. More Information

Mexican American Legal Defense & Education Fund:
Awarded to Latino law students with outstanding academic records, a commitment to the Latino community, and financial need. More Information

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association:
Awards law students with financial need, academic achievement, and a propensity to serve the needs of the Asian-Pacific American community. More Information

Reed Smith Diverse Scholars Program:
The Diverse Scholars Program provides two $15,000 awards toward tuition for the second year of law school, as well as a paid summer associate position after completion of the second year of law school. The program is open to rising 2L students who have demonstrated excellent academic scholarship and a commitment to diversity, inclusion and community. More Information

Former Associate Dean Rory Smith (right) congratulates second-year student Jefferson Cheatham as the 2007 recipient of the Lawrence E. Smith Jr. and Linda Smith Memorial Scholarship.

Smith Memorial Scholarship:
Established in 1998 by the Smith family and friends, this scholarship honors the lives of Lawrence E. Smith Jr. (JD '48) and Linda S. Smith, a father and daughter who overcame obstacles to successfully advocate for the needs of the African-American community. This scholarship is awarded to minority students who are interested in social justice and championing the needs of children. More Information

William E. Peterson Memorial Scholarship:
Given to students who demonstrate a high level of commitment to the legal profession and education, as exemplified by the life of the late Judge Peterson, a revered African-American jurist. More Information

Women's Bar Association of Illinois Foundation:
Awards outstanding women who are second-year or third-year law students. More Information

Zunaira Zaheer Khader Memorial Scholarship:
In memory of John Marshall student Zunaira Zaheer Khader, this scholarship was established by her parents to benefit and assist members of the Muslim Law Student Association. More Information

*The John Marshall Law School matches funds for recipients of these awards.