SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHINESE LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
2023 SCHOLARSHIP/FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 5:00 P.M. (PST), FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023
The Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (SCCLA) supports the next generation of leaders by awarding annual scholarships and fellowships to law students who have demonstrated their commitment to advancing the Chinese American and/or broader Asian Pacific American (“APA”) community. SCCLA invites current law students (including LLM students and current 1Ls) and law school graduates from the class of 2023 to apply.
SCCLA Scholarships are awarded based on (1) financial need, (2) academic accomplishments, and/or (3) active involvement and/or expected future contribution to the Chinese-American and/or APA community, particularly in Southern California. Law students at all levels are encouraged to apply. There is no clerkship requirement for Scholarships. Scholarship recipients must attend SCCLA’s Annual Installation and Awards Banquet on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 in order to receive their scholarships.
SCCLA Fellowships fund externships at qualifying non-profit organizations or governmental entities. To apply for a fellowship award, the applicant must meet all requirements at the time of application, including completing a minimum of 150 hours/semester at a non-profit organization or governmental entity. Fellowship recipients must attend SCCLA’s Annual Installation and Awards Banquet on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. See below for additional Fellowship requirements and guidelines.
To be considered for a SCCLA Scholarship and/or a SCCLA Fellowship, please complete this application and submit your resume and a law school transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable). Students will be notified by email whether or not they received a Scholarship or Fellowship award during the week of September 11, 2023. If you are selected to receive an award, you must confirm your in-person attendance at the 2023 Annual Installation and Awards Banquet on October 10, 2023 within the deadline prescribed and provide a short student bio to be included in the Awards Program Booklet. If you are unable to confirm your in-person attendance or are unable to attend in-person, SCCLA reserves the right to retract your award and give it to another student who can confirm their in-person attendance.
For questions, email scholarships@sccla.org
SCCLA FELLOWSHIP
To be considered for a SCCLA Fellowship, you must complete a minimum of 150 hours working at a non-profit organization or governmental entity based in Southern California. Areas may include but are not limited to: domestic violence, immigration, litigation, elder law, disability law, homelessness prevention, and other areas that advocate for social justice, assist low income individuals and families, or impact Asian Pacific American communities.
In addition to the application, Fellowship applicants must submit: (1) resume, (2) law school transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable), and (3) verification of completed fellowship hours completed by their supervisor.
Requirements and Guidelines
1. A qualifying non-profit organization must be a southern California 501(c)(3) organization that provides free legal services for low-income individuals and families.
2. A governmental entity includes the district attorney, public defender, city attorney, and other federal, state, or local agencies.
3. Fellows are expected to work 150 hours per semester (minimum of 15 hours per week for at least 10 weeks).
4. Fellowship applicants must submit verification of hours worked from the non-profit organization or governmental entity using the attached certification form.
5. Up to four separate fellowships will be awarded per year. A previous fellowship recipient can apply for a subsequent fellowship, so long as all requirements are additionally met for the subsequent fellowship.
6. A student can apply for both a Scholarship and a Fellowship, as long as all requirements are met. Please indicate in the application that you are applying for both.
7. Selected fellows may also use their Fellowship to receive academic credit so long as expressly permitted by their school.
8. If the position at the non-profit organization or governmental entity is paid, such as through grants or stipends, please disclose the amount received in the application below.
9. Potential candidates may be contacted if there are multiple eligible applicants. Once selected, a fellow may be further interviewed by the Scholarship Committee and/or Fellowship donor.
10. In-person attendance at SCCLA’s Annual Installation and Awards Banquet is mandatory for selected fellows.