The Connecticut Bar Association (CBA) Future of the Legal Profession Scholars Program provides financial and mentoring support to aspiring Connecticut-area, first generation law students who have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion or who have overcome adversity in their pursuit of a future career in the law. Accepted scholars receive a full scholarship for a live, online LSAT preparation course offered through The Princeton Review, and are also invited to participate in various mentoring, networking, and educational programs designed to offer guidance and support in the journey to law school admission and matriculation. 

Past FLP Scholars programs have included education on the law school application process, financial aid and scholarship, personal statement review, business etiquette, as well as opportunities for networking and learning about different careers in the legal profession. Similar programs are offered throughout the academic year to all scholars. These programs also provide an invaluable opportunity for scholars to meet with and learn from prominent members of the Connecticut legal community. 

The CBA Future of the Legal Profession Scholars Program is a collaborative effort of the CBA and the signatories to the Connecticut Legal Community Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pledge. The program is guided by the CBA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee through its Future of the Legal Profession Scholars Subcommittee, who assist with program development, administration, and application review. Since its inception in 2019, several past scholars have successfully matriculated to Connecticut-area law schools and have started careers in the legal profession.  

Eligibility

  1. Must be a junior, senior, or graduate of a Connecticut-area college or university (meaning schools located in Connecticut or in Western Massachusetts).
  2. Must be committed to pursuing a law degree at an accredited law school in the Connecticut-area (including law schools located in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts) or pursuing a legal career in the Connecticut area in the future.
  3. Applications are welcome from all aspiring law students that meet the eligibility criteria listed in this section. Preference will be given to first generation law students (meaning students who would be the first member of their immediate family to attend law school) with a demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in prior academic, professional, or personal pursuits, or who are able to demonstrate that the applicant has overcome adversity or other challenges in the pursuit of a future career in the law.

Apply Now

Application 

Application Checklist

  • Completed scholarship application form
  • A professional letter of recommendation that speaks to the applicant’s academic performance or professional qualifications
  • Resume/CV
  • Official college or university transcript
  • Two (2) personal statements (submitted through the application form) 

Application FAQs

When can I apply for the scholarship?
You can apply at any time during your junior or senior year or after graduating. We suggest applying at least five months before your proposed LSAT test date.

When are scholarship applications due?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

What is the timeline for review of applications?
Applications are reviewed as they are submitted. The committee typically provides an application decision within 30 days of receipt.

Can I apply if I am not from Connecticut but have graduated from a Connecticut college or university?
Yes. The scholarship requires submitting an application with the intent to attend a law school in the Connecticut area.

Do letters of recommendation need to be from professors?
No. We will accept letters of recommendation from anyone who is able to speak to your professional/scholarly work and accomplishments.

What happens if I change my intentions about going to a Connecticut-area law school or practicing in Connecticut after acceptance to the program?
While we expect that applicants will convey their future plans in good faith at the time of application, we understand that plans may change for many reasons after a Scholar’s acceptance to the program.  

Resources

Scholarship Committee

The Scholarship Committee includes practicing legal professionals in Connecticut. The Scholarship Committee can be contacted at DEI@ctbar.org.

Sponsors

Program Alumni

The Scholars below successfully completed the Future of the Legal Profession Scholars Program and were admitted to law school. We congratulate these scholars on completing their journey to law school. 

Jalyn Brown, University of Connecticut School of Law

Lauren Beizer, Duke University School of Law

Elizabeth Mejia Castro, George Washington University School of Law

Natasha Claudio, Western New England University School of Law

Christina Cruz, University of Connecticut School of Law

Frankie de Leon, Columbia Law School

Shakira Gray, University of Connecticut School of Law

Riley Morrill, University of Connecticut School of Law

William Ollayos, Quinnipiac University School of Law

Alexandra Prendergast, University of Connecticut School of Law

Donate

You can mail a check to the following address:

    Attn: Director of Diversity, Scholars Program
    Connecticut Bar Association
    538 Preston Avenue, 3rd Floor
    Meriden, CT 06450 

Or use the donation button below

Donate Now

Contact Us

Director of Diversity

Connecticut Bar Association
538 Preston Avenue, 3rd Floor
Meriden, CT 06450 
DEI@ctbar.org
(860) 612-2015



Future of the Legal Profession Scholars

2024-2025

Danielle Bernard, University of Connecticut, 2026, Sociology

Edward Ford, Central Connecticut State University, Dec. 2019, B.A. Psychology

Ryan Jones, Central Connecticut State University, Dec. 2023, B.A., Political Science

Eric Leubner, Yale University, 2025, Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science

Thalsa-Thiziri Mekaouche, Yale University, 2026, Political Science

Olivia McDonald, Connecticut College, 2026, Government

Florence Ojide, University of Connecticut, 2024, Political Science

Briana Paramhance, Eastern Connecticut State University, 2023, Political Science

Yeinmy Pinales, Eastern Connecticut State University, 2026, Criminology, Sociology, and Anthropology

Cindy Rodriguez, Quinnipiac University, 2024, Business Administration

Courtney Rush, Central Connecticut State University, 2019, Media Studies

Hashem Sufyan, University of Connecticut, Aug. 2024, Cognitive Science, Philosophy

Sincere Valentine, University of Connecticut, 2024, Political Science

Stefano Volpe, Fairfield University, 2025, Politics

Samantha Yera, Yale University, 2026, History, Empires and Colonialism


2023-2024

Katharine Escalante, Eastern Connecticut State University, 2025, Philosophy; Political Science

Isabelle Lastrina, Eastern Connecticut State University, 2024, Political Science

Karen Lau, University of Connecticut, 2025, Political Science

Sontochukwu Okam, University of Connecticut, 2022, Political Science

Paige Pray, Quinnipiac University, 2025; Criminal Justice; Law in Society

Hamna Qureshi, University of Connecticut, 2024, Political Science

Lexa Pulido Rodriguez, Yale University, 2024, Ethnicity, Race, and Migration 

Victoria Rozario, University of Hartford, 2023, Criminal Justice; Sociology


2022-2023

Haneen Alkabasi, Central Connecticut State University, 2024, Political Science and Journalism

Daniell Bawuah, University of Connecticut, 2023, Political Science

Lauren Beizer, Villanova University, 2023, Political Science

Lunise Constant, Eastern Connecticut State University, 2021, Labor Relations and Human Resource Management

Aya Cruz, University of Saint Joseph, 2023, English and Political Science

Morvin Ducroisy,Eastern Connecticut State University, 2022, Business Administration

Keren Gabriel, Bentley University, 2023, Economics-Finance

Shakira Gray, Southern Connecticut State University, 2016, Political Science

Kaliyah Knight, Southern Connecticut State University, 2024, Sociology—Criminology & Criminal Justice

Alahaniss Lopez-Zea, University of Connecticut, 2024, Political Science

Daniela Mays-Sanchez, Barnard College, 2024, Sociology

Riley Morrill, University of Connecticut, 2023, History and Economics

Sontochukwu Okam, University of Connecticut, 2022, Political Science

Yeraida Reinheimer, Charter Oak State College, 2023, Business Administration & Organizational Leadership

Olivia Sally, Yale University, 2024, Political Science

Janak Sekaran, Columbia University, 2025, undeclared

Jonathan Smalls, University of Connecticut, 2022, Political Science


2021-2022

Jalyn Brown, University of Connecticut, 2023, Political Science

Lelani Gorham, Cornell University, 2023, Government and American Studies

Maria Kelley, University of Connecticut, 2023, Law, Social Justice, and the Family

Huzaifa Khan, Wesleyan University, 2021, Government and Social Studies

Gladencia Majule, University of Saint Joseph, 2023, Political Science

William Ollayos, University of Connecticut, 2014, Biology & English; UMass Amherst, 2017, M.A. in Comparative Literature


2020-2021

Rebecca Cabot, Norwalk Community College, 2020, Legal Assistant; Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences the Netherlands, 2002, Business Administration

Elizabeth Mejia Castro, University of Connecticut, 2020, Psychological Sciences and Political Science

Natasha Claudio, Connecticut College, 2023, English

Emma Farrell, Wesleyan College, 2022, Government

Ricardo Lombera, Connecticut College, 2022, Sociology, Government

Alexandra Prendergast, Wesleyan University, 2020, Government


2019-2020

Maman Cooper, University of Connecticut, 2017, Political Science

Cristina Cruz, Connecticut College, 2020, Latin American and Latino Studies Sociology

Frankie De Leon, Wesleyan University, 2020, American Studies

Debaditta Ghosh, Wesleyan University, 2020, Government

Fernecia Smith, University of Bridgeport, 2020, Political Science