Bickel & Brewer Latino Institute for Human Rights Scholarship Program
The Latino Institute for Human Rights aims to dramatically and positively affect change in our nation’s communities. Through a rigorous academic curriculum, challenging on-the-ground client work, and efforts to shape public opinion, the Latino Institute recruits, trains and nurtures aspiring lawyers who want to make a positive impact on the world around them.
Applicants must share in the Institute’s passion for academic achievement and community outreach. In turn, scholarship recipients are provided with cutting-edge skills, hands-on training and high-caliber vocational resources, along with the opportunity to participate in a variety of community forums, workshops and conferences.
Founded by the law firm of Bickel & Brewer, the Institute is among the first programs of its kind formed in the United States. It brings political, legal and business leaders face-to-face with emerging scholars who have an interest in social and legal reform. In support of this mission, the Institute provides two full-tuition scholarships on the basis of academic excellence, commitment to community service and interest in pursuing a career that promotes justice for the Latino community. In conjunction with the Bickel & Brewer Storefront, the community service affiliate of Bickel & Brewer, the Institute works with students to provide them hands-on training in community-impact litigation. This clinical training is designed to develop the research, case preparation and trial strategy skills so critical to handling broadbased community advocacy. The goal is to provide Institute Fellows with an intensive, real-world training experience that will uniquely prepare them to provide representation for the world’s most important public policy matters.
During summers and for two years following graduation from NYU School of Law (or at the completion of a judicial clerkship), scholarship recipients must work at organizations that serve the social and legal needs of the Latino community. The Institute will assist its scholars in finding organizations that meet the parameters of this agreement. If a recipient fails to honor this post-graduate commitment, he/she must repay the scholarship.
How to Apply
Individuals may apply for the Latino Institute Scholarship by signing the appropriate statement on page 4 of the J.D. application. Scholarship applicants should also submit a one-page essay of no more than 500 words, with the J.D. application, addressing one’s interest in serving the needs of the Latino community.
All Bickel & Brewer Latino Institute for Human Rights Scholarship finalists are expected to be available for an interview on Saturday, March 27, 2010. Scholarship offers will be made shortly after the interviews. Awardees should be prepared to respond to these offers within three business days.