External Scholarships & Awards

These are private scholarships offered by law firms and community organizations. Scholarships are available to incoming and continuing students. Click on the links for more information and to see if you qualify. All scholarships are organized by their deadlines.

On this page:

Resources for additional information:

  • Minority Corporate Counsel Association’s Diversity Scholarships, Fellowships and Internships - This resource provides a listing organizations that offer law school scholarships and fellowships to diverse students.
  • AccessLex Law School Scholarship Databank- The AccessLex Institute has launched the AccessLex Law School Scholarship Databank. 800 carefully curated and vetted scholarship opportunities and writing competitions – totaling over $3 million in aid.

2026 Jana Springer Behe Corporate Counsel Section Fellowship

Value: $7,000                                                                               Deadline: February 6, 2026

The New York Bar Foundation is currently accepting applications for this Fellowship program which was created as part of the Corporate Counsel Section’s commitment to diversity and in conjunction with the NYS Bar Association’s Diversity Challenge. This Fellowship is open to all second-year law students from a New York law school from under-represented groups capable of fulfilling the requested work hours and responsibilities over summer 2026.  The Fellowship will take place at JustCause, Rochester, NY. The selected student will assist the organization’s general counsel or other similar individual holding counsel position.

More information on eligibility and Fellow responsibilities

2026 Trust and Estates Law Section Fellowship

Value: $7,500 (4 available)                                                 Deadline: February 16, 2026

The New York Bar Foundation Trusts and Estates Law Section is pleased to offer these summer Fellowship opportunities that are open to all first-year (1L) and second-year (2L) law students as of Fall 2025 enrolled in a New York State law school who intend to practice law in New York State upon graduation, and who are capable to fulfil the Fellowship work hours and responsibilities for ten weeks over summer 2026.  The students will gain meaningful and appropriately supervised work experience located in four different courts.

More information on Fellowship eligibility and requirements

2026-2027 DDRB LAWYERS LEGAL SCHOLARSHIP:

Value: $1,500                                                                       Deadline: March 1, 2026

This is a recurring scholarship by Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP designed to help an incoming 1L law student or a currently matriculating law student from a U.S. accredited law school with their tuition costs.  Submit an original essay of 400-500 words on what you hope to achieve in your legal career if awarded with this scholarship.

More eligibility and application information: https://www.ddrlawyers.com/scholarship/

2026 Norman P. Effman Scholarship

Value: $5,000                                                                                               Deadline: May 18, 2026

The New York Bar Foundation is currently accepting applications for this Scholarship established by the Honorable Michael M. Mohun.  It is open to all second year (2L) and third year (3L) full-time law students who are enrolled in a New York State law school during the Fall 2026 semester.  The student should demonstrate interest and intent to work in a rural locale representing indigent individuals who are litigants in Family court, Criminal court, or other courts where the individuals may be facing civil legal issues.  Preference is given to students demonstrating financial need. The Scholarship will be applied to the student’s 2026-2027 academic year tuition.

More application information at https://www.tnybf.org/2026-norman-effman-scholarship-application/

The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers: 2026 Annual Law Student Writing Competition

First Place: $3,000                                        Second Place: $1,000                                 Third Place: $500

Submission Deadline: June 15, 2026

This Competition is open to articles written while the author is an active student at an accredited law school in the United States and has not graduated from law school prior to December 1, 2025.  The first-place winning article will be a guest and be recognized at the Annual Induction Dinner of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.

More competition information and rules

Website information at: https://theclel.org/law-student-writing-competition/

2026 LEWIS M. ROSE SCHOLARSHIP:

One paid Summer Associate position with full-time Associate position offering

Review of Applications: Rolling basis

Kelly Drye & Warren LLP is currently accepting applications for this Scholarship which is open to all outstanding rising second year (2L) law students who are enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school scheduled to graduate in 2027. The Scholarship includes a paid summer associate position in their New York or New Jersey offices following the second year of law school.  The Scholarship recipient also receives a $25,000 award paid in two installments as a signing bonus—one upon completion of the summer program, and the second, upon starting as a full-time Associate at the firm.

More application information at https://www.kelleydrye.com/lewis-m-rose-scholarship