Scholarship Opportunities

The EBLRLA Scholarship Fund is a non-profit, charitable 501(c)(3) organization—separate from the East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association—that awards scholarships to law students who live, work, or study in Alameda or Contra Costa counties. The EBLRLA Scholarship Fund board of directors is led by its board president, Mario A. Moya.

The Association organizes a gala dinner to fundraise for the EBLRLA Scholarship Fund which 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. Law student dues are only $1.00! Please also visit our Resources page for more scholarships besides the ones listed below.


Download the Application:
EBLRLA CLA Litigation Section 2023 Diversity Bar Study Scholarship ApplicationDownload

The East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association (“EBLRLA”) and the EBLRLA Scholarship Fund have partnered with the Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association (“CLA Litigation Section”) to present multiple 2023 Diversity Bar Study Scholarships for law students in their final year of law school and recent law school graduates who have demonstrated an intent to pursue a career in litigation and have shown commitment to a career in litigation for social justice.

PURPOSE: To recognize a law student in their final year and recent law school graduates who will take the California Bar Exam in 2024 (February or June) and has:

  • Shown excellence and achievement in law school;
  • Overcome personal hardships or challenges;
  • A demonstrated financial need (preference will be given to students who do not already have bar study expenses covered);
  • Demonstrated intent to pursue a career in litigation following graduation;
  • Demonstrated leadership potential and a history of involvement with affinity student, professional, or civic organizations; and
  • Demonstrated service in support of their local communities and commitment to social justice.

AWARD: Scholarships of $5,000 each (two scholarships will be awarded)

APPLICATION PROCESS: Complete this application form and include the following:

  • Resumé. Two-page maximum. Please include any litigation work experience you have.
  • Transcript. Please include a copy of your law school transcript. Unofficial copies are acceptable. Your law school enrollment and grade point average are subject to verification.
  • Proof of Financial Need. Please include any supporting documentation to verify your law school debt and overall student loan debt.
  • Essay Submission. Two-page maximum. The essay should address how you fulfill the above-mentioned purpose of the scholarship.

ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS:

  • You must be planning to sit for the California Bar Exam in 2024 (February or June) and use the scholarship for bar study/exam expenses.  
  • You may only receive one bar study scholarship sponsored by the CLA Litigation Section. If you have already received or will receive a CLA-sponsored scholarship from another bar association, you are not eligible to apply.
  • If an employer is already providing you with a bar study stipend, you are not eligible to apply.
  • Be or become a Law Student member of EBLRLA. To join, visit our website www.eblrla.org/join.
  • Applicants are strongly encouraged to become members of the CLA Litigation Section after passing the California Bar Exam and securing full-time employment. Current law students may join for free!
  • The recipients must attend the 2023 East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association Holiday Party on December 7, 2023 at Trader Vic’s in Emeryville, CA where they will be recognized in person.

In partnership with California ChangeLawyers, the EBLRLA Scholarship Fund will award two (2) $5,000 scholarships in 2023 to law students who are committed to becoming a legal changemaker as a future California attorney with the goal of creating a more just and representative justice system. Open to 2022 and 2023 law school graduates who will be taking the summer California Bar Exam for the first time and meet the other eligibility criteria. Visit changelawyers.org/scholarships for the full eligibility criteria and application instructions. The application period for 2023 has closed; it will reopen in early 2024.

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. Visit changelawyers.org/scholarships or email scholars@changelawyers.org for application date and more information.


2023 Piedad and Raul Castro Scholarship
The 2023 application has closed; it will reopen in early 2024.

Since 2021, the EBLRLA Scholarship Fund has invited qualified 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
committed 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.”
– Hon. Arturo Castro

The Piedad and Raul Castro Scholarship will be awarded to an outstanding law student on pace to graduate in spring 2023 and is designed to assist with expenses related to preparing for the California Bar Exam and transitioning to formal practice as an attorney. (Judge Castro will not be involved in the selection process.)

The application period for 2023 has closed; it will reopen in early 2024.


2023 EBLRLA Scholarship Fund Summer Stipend
The 2023 application has closed; it will reopen in early 2024.

The EBLRLA Scholarship Fund, in partnership with the East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association, awards multiple Summer Stipends, ranging from $2,000 to $3,000, to help law students cover expenses while they complete their summer internships/clerkships.


Past EBLRLA Scholarship Recipients

Year

Recipients

Name of Scholarship

2023

Monique Ramirez
Maribel J. Sanchez
Ale Vallejo
Nancy Alcaraz Arreola
Brisely Martinez
Kim Martinez
TBA
TBA

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

2022

 

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

Bar Study Scholarship
California Lawyers Association, Litigation Section Scholarship
ChangeLawyers 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

ChangeLawyers Scholarship

2019

 

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

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 11/18/2023