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 prior eligibility criteria. 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.

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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

Hon. Cecil J. Thomas, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee Co-Chair, Connecticut Bar Association
Gideon Asemnor, Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP
Moses Beckett, Statewide Legal Services of CT
Salihah Denman, The Law Offices of Salihah R. Denman, PLLC
Evan S. Goldstein, Updike Kelly & Spellacy PC
Grace Hebbel, Saxe Doernberger & Vita PC
 Ronald J. Houde Jr, Bartlett & Grippe LLC
Christina Mohr, UConn School of Law
Johnny Ross, III, State of Connecticut, State Elections Enforcement
Alexis H. Smith, New Haven Legal Assistance Association
Keith J. Soressi, Executive Director, Connecticut Bar Association

Jennifer Shukla, Director of Access to Justice Initiatives, Interim Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Sponsors

Program Alumni

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

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

Eric Leubner, Yale University, Class of 2025, B.S. Mathematics, B.A. Statistics and Data Science
Briana Paramhance, Eastern Connecticut State University, Class of 2023, B.A. Political Science
Cindy Rodriguez, Quinnipiac University, Class of 2024, B.A. Business Administration
Sincere Valentine, University of Connecticut, Class of 2024, B.A. Political Science


2023-2024
Katharine Escalante, Eastern Connecticut State University, Class of 2025, Majors: Philosophy; Political Science Isabelle Lastrina, Eastern Connecticut State University, Class of 2024, Major: Political Science, Minors: Pre-Law, Peace & Human Rights
Karen Lau, University of Connecticut, Class of 2025, Major: Political Science

Sontochukwu Okam, University of Connecticut, Class of 2022, Major: Political Science
Paige Pray, Quinnipiac University, Class of 2025; Majors: Criminal Justice; Law in Society
Hamna Qureshi, University of Connecticut, Class of 2024, Major: Political Science
Lexa Pulido Rodriguez, Yale University, Class of 2024, Major: Ethnicity, Race, and Migration 
Victoria Rozario, University of Hartford, Class of 2023, Majors: Criminal Justice; Sociology


2022-2023

Haneen Alkabasi, Central Connecticut State University, Class of 2024, Majors: Political Science and Journalism
Daniell Bawuah, University of Connecticut, Class of 2023, Major: Political Science
Lauren Beizer, Villanova University, Class of 2023, Major: Political Science
Lunise Constant, Eastern Connecticut State University, Class of 2021, Majors: Labor Relations and Human Resource Management
Aya Cruz, University of Saint Joseph, Class of 2023, Majors: English and Political Science
Morvin Ducroisy,Eastern Connecticut State University, Class of 2022, Major: Business Administration
Keren Gabriel, Bentley University, Class of 2023, Major: Economics-Finance
Shakira Gray, Southern Connecticut State University, Class of 2016, Major: Political Science
Kaliyah Knight, Southern Connecticut State University, Class of 2024, Major: Sociology—Criminology & Criminal Justice
Alahaniss Lopez-Zea, University of Connecticut, Class of 2024, Major: Political Science
Daniela Mays-Sanchez, Barnard College, Class of 2024, Major: Sociology
Riley Morrill, University of Connecticut, Class of 2023, Major: History and Economics
Yeraida Reinheimer, Charter Oak State College, Class of 2023E, Major: Business Administration & Organizational Leadership
Olivia Sally,Yale University, Class of 2024, Major: Political Science
Janak Sekaran, Columbia University, Class of 2025, Major: undeclared
Jonathan Smalls, University of Connecticut, Class of 2022, Major: Political Science


2021-2022

Jalyn Brown,University of Connecticut Class of 2023, Major: Political Science
Lelani Gorham, Cornell University Class of 2023, Major: Government and American Studies
Maria Kelley, University of Connecticut Class of 2023, Major: Law, Social Justice, and the Family
Huzaifa Khan, Wesleyan University Class of 2021, Major: Government and Social Studies
Gladencia Majule, University of Saint Joseph Class of 2023, Major: Political Science
William Ollayos, University of Connecticut, Class of 2014, Majors: Biology & English; UMass Amherst, Class of 2017, M.A. in Comparative Literature


2020-2021

Rebecca Cabot, Norwalk Community College Class of 2020, Major: Legal Assistant; Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences the Netherlands Class of 2002, Major: Business Administration
Emma Farrell, Wesleyan College Class of 2022, Major: Government
Ricardo Lombera, Connecticut College Class of 2022, Major: Sociology, Government
Alexandra Prendergast, Wesleyan University Class of 2020, Major: Government


2019-2020

Maman Cooper,University of Connecticut Class of 2017, Major: Political Science
Frankie De Leon,Wesleyan University Class of 2020, Major: American Studies
Debaditta Ghosh,Wesleyan University Class of 2020, Major: Government
Fernecia Smith, University of Bridgeport Class of 2020, Major: Political Science