Published: 27 Feb 2026 765 views
The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial support for graduating law students or recent law school graduates that are committed to advancing diversity, inclusion, and belonging in the in-house legal community and to promote a wide range of backgrounds in the legal profession.
The scholarship is open to all eligible applicants that have demonstrated academic achievement, engagement in efforts to advance diversity, inclusion, and belonging within their community and/or legal profession during college or law school, resilience to overcoming challenges and obstacles, financial need, and intent to be a part of the San Diego legal in-house counsel community.
Applicants that present unique backgrounds to the legal community are invited to apply. ACC San Diego understands the economic burden many law school students face in pursuing a future in the legal profession. To help, ACC San Diego has put together a scholarship program to help address the financial gap many students face in paying for bar preparation expenses such as a prep course or books, and the bar application fees.
ACC San Diego will select a limited number of recipients (not to exceed four recipients) to receive a financial scholarship based on the selection and eligibility criteria below. The total amount of scholarships to be distributed at the discretion of ACC San Diego shall not exceed $10,000. ACC San Diego will award such scholarships on the basis of academic performance, diversity leadership, resilience, expressed financial need, and demonstrated contributions to the in-house legal community. The determination of the number and selection of award participants, as well as the amount of award to each selected recipient is at the sole discretion of ACC San Diego. Applications, materials and essays will be reviewed by the ACC San Diego Chapter Scholarship Committee and approved by the Executive Committee.
Engagement in efforts to advance diversity, inclusion, and belonging within their community and/or legal profession during college or law school
• Unique background and an explanation of why it is beneficial to the legal community
• Resilience to overcoming challenges and obstacles
• Clear purpose for pursuing a legal career
• Focus on and intent to practice in-house
• Demonstrate financial need (via Personal Statement)
• Currently enrolled in a San Diego County law school with graduation expected in May or June 2026 or graduated from a San Diego law school during calendar year 2025
• Meets eligibility requirements to take the California Bar Exam and will sit for the California Bar Exam in July 2026; and
• Intent to practice in San Diego after passing the bar
Personal statement. Please respond to all three topics (150-200 word/per topic):
• Describe your leadership and engagement in efforts to advance diversity, inclusion and belonging in the community and/or legal profession, including any obstacles or challenges you have encountered and overcome, and what you learned from these experiences.
• Describe your contributions to the in-house legal community during law school.
• Describe how you plan to contribute to the San Diego legal community after law school, specifically the in-house counsel community.
• Explain your financial need and why you need the scholarship.
For more details, visit ACC San Diego Scholarship Webpage
A friend or someone might be interested in this opportunity, kindly share.
