Attention Law Students: Get Scholarships, Fellowships, Mentorships and More From the New York State Bar Association
2.24.2025
Hey law students! Did you know the New York State Bar Association has a ton of scholarships, fellowships, and mentoring opportunities available for you? You can get real experience and real cash to help your legal career!
And that’s just one of the perks available. Law students get FREE membership to the New York State Bar Association – which includes discounts on bar review courses, complimentary subscriptions, resources to save on your student loans, and so much more!
Are you eligible for a scholarship, fellowship, or mentoring opportunity? Or to get your writing published? See the list below:
Scholarships
- Elder Law and Special Needs – T. David Stapleton Memorial Scholarship
- $2,500 for a second- or third-year law student who is interested in Elder Law, and is enrolled in a law school in or from one of the following regions: Central New York, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Western New York.
- The Judge Bernard S. Meyer Scholarship
- $5,000 for a second-year law student who excels in legal writing and advocacy skills.
- Labor and Employment Law Section – Samuel M Kaynard Memorial Student Service Awards
- First prize $3,000. Second Prize $2,000. Third Prize $1,000.
- Open to all law students who show excellence in the field of Labor and Employment Law. Must be nominated by a dean, professor, or attorney.
- Local and State Government Law Section – Carol Van Scoyoc Scholarship
- $5,000 for a law student who best exemplifies academic excellence, a demonstrated interest in public service and an interest in local government law.
- Real Property Law Section Lorraine Power Tharp Scholarship
- $5,000 for a second- or third-year law student who best exemplifies academic excellence, a demonstrated interest in public service, high integrity and, ideally, an interest in real property law.
- Real Property Law Section Melvyn Mitzner Scholarship
- $5,000 for a second- or third-year law student with a record of academic excellence, leadership, and a demonstrated interest in real property law, especially related to legal research, writing, and lecturing.
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Scholarship Award
- $5,000 for a second- or third-year law student who honors and furthers the legacy of the late Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg through work and/or public service.
Fellowships
- Business Law Section – Fellowship Program
- Ten-week Fellowship (maximum 40 hours a week) in Business Law at a law firm based in New York State.
- Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be capable of fulfilling requested work hours and responsibilities.
- Commercial and Federal Litigation Section – Kay Crawford Murray Commercial Division Diversity Fellowship
- Awarded to a first-year law student to work in a litigation position in the public sector during the summer months.
- Valued at $6,000.
- Environmental & Energy Law Section – Diversity & Inclusion Fellowship
- $10,000 stipend for a diverse law student to spend the summer (8 weeks minimum) working on legal matters for an environmental or energy governmental agency or public interest organization in New York State.
- Health Law Section – Diversity Fellowship Program
- $6,000 stipend for a diverse law student to spend the summer (8 weeks minimum) working with a health law attorney in the healthcare industry.
- Hon. Charles L. Brieant, Jr. Fellowship
- $5,000 tuition credit for a first or second-year law student to spend a summer internship position with the court of the Southern District of New York.
- Hon. Judith S. Kaye Children and the Law Committee Scholarship
- Awarded to students who will age out or have aged out of foster care with a permanency goal of Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA).
- LondonEx- Legal Externships in London, by Syracuse University College of Law (DOCX)
- Law students spend seven weeks in London to learn about the English legal system through immersion in a practice setting and partnerships with experienced mentors.
- Trusts & Estates Law Section – Fellowship Program
- Awarded to four first- or second-year law students to work in trusts and estates law in the public sector of the State of New York.
- Offered each summer in various locations across the state in the chambers of a Surrogate Court judge.
- Valued at $7,500.
Writing Competitions:
- Antitrust Law Section – Student Writing Competition
- A currently enrolled or graduating student must write an article about any topic of general interest to the antitrust law community.
- Eligible papers include notes, comments and articles and should generally be 20-30 pages in length, with footnotes. In no event may papers exceed 50 pages, with footnotes.
- $5,000 cash prize.
- Committee on Animals and the Law – Student Writing Competition
- Open to students enrolled in law school. Article can be on any topic on Animal Law.
- First prize $1,000 and a Certificate of Achievement. Second Prize $500 and a Certificate of Achievement. Third Prize and Fourth Prize a Certificate of Recognition.
- Elder and Special Needs Law Journal – Diversity Writing Competition
- Open to all law students in New York State and recent law graduates seeking employment.
- Prize is $1,000 for two students and complimentary one year membership in the Elder Law and Special Needs Section.
- Entertainment Arts and Sports Law Section – Phil Cowan – Judith Bresler Memorial Scholarship Writing Competition
- Open to all law students. Up to two scholarship awards of $2,500 each.
- Article must be on legal issue of interest in the area of entertainment, arts, or sports law.
- Paper should be 12 to 15 pages, including blue book form footnotes. Papers longer than 15 pages will not be considered.
- Environmental Law Section – Professor William R Ginsberg Memorial Essay Contest
- Open to all law students. Article can be on any topic in environmental law.
- Maximum length of 35 double-spaced pages, including footnotes.
- First prize $1,000 and publication. Second Prize $500. Third Prize $250.
- International Section- Albert S Pergam International Law Writing Competition Award
- Open to all law students in all countries.
- Article must be primarily focused on an aspect of law in any area of public or private international law or practice.
- $2,000 cash prize.
- Labor and Employment Law Section- Dr. Emanuel Stein and Kenneth Stein Memorial Law Student Writing Competition
- Open to all law students. Article can be on any topic involving labor or employment law.
- No longer than 20 pages, excluding endnotes.
- First prize $3,000 and publication. Second Prize $2,000. Third Prize $1,000.
- Real Property Law Section Annual Student Writing Competition
- Article must relate to real property law. Minimum 3,000 words.
- $500 cash prize.
Mentorships:
- Business Law Section Mentorship Program
- Open to law students or junior attorneys in their first five years of practice.
- Commercial and Federal Litigation Section Mentorship Program
- Applicants must be a member of the New York State Bar Association Commercial and Federal Litigation Section.
- Elder Law & Special Needs Section Mentorship Program
- Open to attorneys practicing elder law for five years or less.
- Term is for one year.
- Applicants must be a member of the New York State Bar Association Elder Law and Special Needs Section.
- Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section Mentoring Program
- Open to law students or junior attorneys in their first five years of practice.
- Term is for one year.
- Labor & Employment Law Section Mentoring Program
- Open to new attorneys (those admitted to practice less than 10 years ago or under the age of 37).
- Term is for one year.
