Scholarship

The EBLRLA Scholarship Fund (the “Fund”) is a non-profit, charitable 501(c)(3) organization that awards scholarships to law students who live, work, or study in Alameda or Contra Costa counties. The current president of the EBLRLA Scholarship Fund is Miguel A. Saldaña.

Every two years, the East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association (the “Association”) organizes a gala fundraiser that benefits the Fund. The Fund also partners with California ChangeLawyers and other donors to award additional scholarships. To make a tax-deductible contribution to the EBLRLA Scholarship Fund, visit its Donorbox site or email them at eblrlasf@gmail.com.

If you are a law student, we highly recommend that you join as a dues-paying member to receive our scholarship announcements, reminders, and special opportunities. Some scholarships are only open to EBLRLA members. Law student dues are only $1.00! Please also visit our Resources page for more scholarships besides the ones listed below.


In partnership with California ChangeLawyers, the EBLRLA Scholarship Fund will award two (2) $5,000 scholarships to law students/recent law school graduates who are committed to becoming legal changemakers as future California attorneys with the goal of creating a more just and representative justice system. Visit changelawyers.org/scholarships for the full eligibility criteria and application instructions. Applications were due Friday, Monday, February 24, 2025.

Note: California ChangeLawyers also has a 1L Scholarship program for diverse students who will begin attending an ABA or CA accredited law school in the fall; that application usually opens in June. Visit changelawyers.org/scholarships or email scholars@changelawyers.org for more information.


CLA Litigation Section Diversity Bar Study Scholarship
The application period is now closed. 

Law students are strongly encouraged to become members of the California Lawyers Association (CLA), including the Litigation Section. Join for free!

The East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association (EBLRLA) and the EBLRLA Scholarship Fund continue to partner with the California Lawyers Association (CLA) Litigation Section to present Diversity Bar Study Scholarships to eligible candidates who have demonstrated an intent to pursue a career in litigation following graduation and have shown commitment to a career in litigation for social justice. 


Piedad and Raul Castro Scholarship
The application period is now closed. 

The EBLRLA Scholarship Fund invites eligible candidates to apply for the Piedad and Raul Castro Scholarship, an annual $5,000 scholarship funded by the Honorable Arturo Castro, Judge with the Superior Court of Alameda County, in honor of his parents. 

“This scholarship is dedicated to my parents, who, alongside countless other immigrant families, personify the perseverance, sacrifice, and selflessness of those who are dedicated to advancing future generations, with no thought or expectation of personal gain. By giving back in their names, the spirit of their sacrifices will live on, supporting young minds who are equally dedicated to making the world a better place.” – Judge Arturo Castro


Public Interest Law Summer Stipend
Application is now open and due on June 2, 2025!

Awards: We will award multiple stipends, each in an amount ranging from $2,000 to $3,000.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Law student is placed—or will be placed—in an unpaid public interest law role for the 2025 summer at a non-profit organization, legal aid organization, government agency, or court. Preference will be given to applicants with ties to Alameda and/or Contra Costa counties.
  2. Member of EBLRLA. Dues are $1 for law students: eblrla.org/join
  3. Demonstrated financial need.
  4. Demonstrated commitment to using the law to advance social justice.
  5. Demonstrated commitment to academic success and/or leadership experience.
  6. Proof of placement in an unpaid public interest law role for the 2025 summer, if available.

The EBLRLA Scholarship Fund aims to support as many deserving law students as possible. While all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply, priority will be given to applicants who have not already secured funding (e.g., from their law school or another bar association) for their 2025 summer employment.

Application Instructions

Email the completed application form and the requested supporting documents, preferably as a single PDF file, to eblrlasf@gmail.com with “2025 Summer Stipend – [Your Name]” in the subject line. All applications will be kept confidential by the EBLRLA Scholarship Fund review committee and will be destroyed when no longer necessary. If you have any questions, please email eblrlasf@gmail.com

Due Date: Monday, June 2, 2025, 11:59 PM Pacific. Late applications will not be considered.


Past Scholarship Recipients

Year

Recipients

Name of Scholarship

2025

Gloria Cenizo
Kevin Orozco

California ChangeLawyers Scholarship
California ChangeLawyers Scholarship

2024

Jocelyn Gomez 
Neri Lozano-Sanchez 
Leslie Estrada Flynn 
Sophia Ureta-Fulan
Jessica Dimas
Sarah Aceves Stenger
Cathy Hernandez
Jaqueline Mejía-Cuéllar
Leslie Sepulveda

California ChangeLawyers Scholarship
California ChangeLawyers Scholarship
California Lawyers Association, Litigation Section Scholarship
California Lawyers Association, Litigation Section Scholarship
Piedad & Raul Castro Scholarship
Public Interest Law Summer Stipend
Public Interest Law Summer Stipend
Public Interest Law Summer Stipend
Public Interest Law Summer Stipend

2023

Monique Ramirez
Maribel J. Sanchez
Ariana Camarena
Michelle Valdez Borbon
Ale Vallejo
Nancy Alcaraz Arreola
Brisely Martinez
Kim Martinez

California ChangeLawyers Scholarship
California ChangeLawyers Scholarship
California Lawyers Association, Litigation Section Scholarship
California Lawyers Association, Litigation Section Scholarship
Piedad & Raul Castro Scholarship
Public Interest Law Summer Stipend
Public Interest Law Summer Stipend
Public Interest Law Summer Stipend

2022

 

Natassja Urrutia
Yesenia Sandoval
Karla Y. Martinez Rojas 
Stephanie Roque-Hurtado

Bar Study Scholarship
California ChangeLawyers Scholarship
California Lawyers Association, Litigation Section Scholarship
Piedad & Raul Castro Scholarship

2021

 

Lilian Lopez-Zepeda
Violeta Alvarez
Jennifer Estevez

Bar Study Scholarship
ChangeLawyers Scholarship
Piedad & Raul Castro Scholarship

2020

Leticia Chavez

California ChangeLawyers Scholarship

2019

 

Victor Escobar Troya
Violeta Alvarez
Wendy M. Hernandez
Lilian Lopez
Nancy Avila Villatoro

California ChangeLawyers Scholarship




2017

Daniela Huerta
Miguel A. Flores
Dustin Hovda Pérez
Zulma Muñoz

 

2015

Maritza Perez Medina
Allyssa (Villanueva) Victory
Angelo Villareal

 

2013

Ana (Baires Mira) Flores
Sonja Francine Marie Diaz
Perla Edith Parra

 

2011

María D. Domínguez
(not a complete list)

 

2009

 

 

2008

Lucero Chavez
Gloria (Colon Espitia) Martinez
Miguel Angel Manriquez
Carolina Rodriguez Garcia

 

2007

 

 

Updated 05/17/2025