Dallas Bar Foundation

Programs: The scholarships and awards programs are summarized below: 1. Sarah t. Hughes diversity scholarships: this program provides scholarships to outstanding minority students who plan to remain in dallas upon graduation from one of the 3 area law schools. The goal of the program is to increase the diversity of our legal community. There are 6 hughes scholars in law school included in the overall total of 59 hughes scholars. Students must maintain a satisfactory gpa in school. 2. Collins clerkships: this program provides a six week summer clerkship to minority law students at the supreme court of texas, the 5th district court of appeals, the 14th and 68th civil district courts, the city attorney's office, the district attorney's office, and the public defender's office. The students are able to establish a relationship with a mentor, gain exposure to work experiences that will add value to their job prospects and be exposed to potential job opportunities. 3. Donald c. Mccleary scholarship: awarded to a 2l student at smu dedman school of law who exemplifies leadership qualities, ability to embrace a diversity of ideas and a willingness to give back to the community. 4. Justice james a. Baker clerkship: provides a second year law student (2l) with a 6 week summer clerkship with the chief justice of the supreme court of texas. The student is exposed to the appellate process of our legal system and provides a unique opportunity to an exceptional law student who has demonstrated excellent writing skills and leadership qualities. 5. Bob mow judicial internship: provides a six week summer clerkship at the u. S. District court northern district of texas to a 2l student with high academic achievement, excellent writing skills and leadership qualities. 6. Stephen philbin media law clerkship: awarded to a 2l student with a demonstrated interest in media law. The six week clerkship provides a 2l student the unique opportunity to spend time at the dallas morning news and a media law attorney. 7. Stephen philbin awards for excellence in legal reporting: recognition of journalists' work demonstrating excellence in legal reporting. Cash awards and recognition plaques are awarded in eight different categories including print, television, radio, and internet reporting. Encouraging excellence in reporting legal issues is an important aspect to the furtherance of justice in our community. Other programs are as below: 1. The texas high school mock trial program involves high school students in law focused education. Lawyers and judges volunteer to observe and evaluate the local high school mock trial competition and the state high school mock trial competition which is held by the dallas bar association. Winners in the state competition then compete at the national level. Each year 150 teams compete in the state competition and for the past 35 years, over 110,000 students have been involved in the mock trial experience. 2. The dallas bar association minority attorney program was awarded a grant to provide a one-day continuing legal education program designed to meet the needs of solo, small, minority and female law practices. In addition to focusing on guardians ad litem, court appointments, and legal technology, the program offers business development and office management education. Over 170 attorneys attended the program. 3. Ignite of texas received a grant to support their after school civic program for girls in local high schools. The grant was provided for the purpose of supporting the continuation of the program at the judge barefoot sanders law magnet high school. The students, under the guidance of a female college student, discuss and research public policy issues and the law associated with the topic. Students meet female elected officials, including judges, mayors, city council members, county commissioners and state legislators to learn about how they can influence policy and run for elected office. 4. The vansickle family law clinic at smu dedman school of law received a grant to support the needs of underserved citizens with issues concerning family law, including divorce, child custody, retraining orders, child support, etc. Law students, working along side pro bono attorneys and a clinical faculty member, gain valuable experience in family law while providing assistance to individuals unable to afford legal representation. 5. Human rights initiative received a grant to fund their new outreach inititative to surrounding social service agencies and churches. The funds would support the printing of brochures and outreach materials that are easy to understand and client-centered. 6. The dallas urban debate alliance received a grant to provide summer programming to disd students who otherwise would not have an opportunity for additional debate training that is available to private school students. Debate is seen as providing a pipeline of diverse students to the legal profession. When students are provided an opportunity to participate in debate and are mentored by attorneys, they can envision a legal career for themselves. 7. Texas a&m university school of law was awarded a grant to support a six-week public interest clerkship for a 2nd year law student. The purpose of the clerkship is to promote interest in a law career in public advocacy and to provide a practical hands on educational experience. 8. The smu dedman school of law received a grant so the smu law review could conduct a one-day educational and professionalism program on alternative dispute resolution and the risks of prejudice and implicit bias. The symposium was held for practicing attorneys and law students. 9. Genesis womens shelter received a grant to support their client legal assistance program. The funding will support the legal expenses associated with domestice abuse suffered by the clients. 10. Dallas court appointed special advocates (casa) received a grant to support their volunteer advocacy initiatives. Dallas casa has an aggressive target goal to increase the number of advocates to represent children. The grant will be used for background checks of the volunteers to ensure the safety of the children who need representation. 11. Children at risk received a grant award to support a six week summer law felowship. The fellowship was awarded to a 2nd year law student interested in public policy and conducting reserch. The focus of the felowship was on child trafficking and juvenile justice. 12. The ymca of metropolitan dallas received a grant to support their youth and government program. The funds supported scholarships which enabled low-income students an opportunity to travel to the state capital and participate in the annual state conference. Students participate in debate competitions, elections, and learning about the legislative process and enacting laws. 12. Law day is observed in may and special programs are held in the dallas indpendent school district as a result of the grant award. Elementary, middle school and high school students submit essays, artwork, and photography that exemplifies the theme of law day. Winners are selected and the students attend the annual law day luncheon held at the dallas bar association.