In 2022, the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association and Foundation established a need-based grant available to graduating transgender and/or nonbinary law graduates of color. The 2023 Trans/Nonbinary Law Graduates of Color Grant Fund will award three unrestricted $1,000 grants, to help offset the costs associated with the period of time between graduation and taking the Bar Exam/employment. Accepted grantees will also receive a 1-year free membership with the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association.
Criteria:
- December of 2022 or Spring of 2023 U.S. Law School Graduate
- Trans and/or Nonbinary
- Person of Color
- Registered to take a U.S. Bar exam in the summer of 2023 (February 2023 Bar exam takers are not eligible) or first legal job does not start until September 1, 2023 or later.
*Note: Funds will be distributed upon proof of law school graduation.
How to Apply:
Applications are now open! If you have any questions or issues regarding your application, please contact Patrick O’Brien at patrick@lgbtqbar.org. Applications will close at midnight Eastern Time on April 1, 2023.
Grantees:
2022


Mateo is a first generation American and student from Carson, CA who graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law earning a Juris Doctor with an Intellectual Property Track in the Law and Technology Concentration. Prior to embarking on his legal journey, he attended Syracuse University earning a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management with an LGBT Studies minor and had a career in sales. During his time at Seton Hall, Mateo helped launch the Trans Affirming Alliance (TAA) where he supervised and trained the student volunteers who were assisting pro se name change clients. In his 2L year he served as the Vice President to both the Latin American Law Student Association and LAMBDA Law Alliance. In his 3L year, he continued his work with these student organizations by serving as Co-President and President. Throughout his law school career he worked as a Lexis Student Representative, BARBRI Student Ambassador, Legal Intern at Verizon, Legal Intern at Splunk, Law Clerk at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C., Teaching Assistant for Professor MehChu, and Research Assistant for the Office of Admissions. His work on campus led the student body to choose him as a recipient of the 2021 Hazard Zet Forward Mentorship Award, 2021 and 2022 Hazard Zet Forward Community Awards, and 2022 Hazard Zet Forward Leadership Award. Outside of law school, Mateo serves the legal community as an At-Large Non-Voting Member of the New Jersey State Bar’s Young Lawyer Division sitting on both the social and mentorship committees, a student representative for the Hispanic Bar Association of NJ, and an assistant to the President of the Hispanic National Bar Association. Mateo also has strong ties to his fraternity, Delta Upsilon, and serves as an alumni advisor to the Seton Hall University undergraduate chapter. After graduation Mateo will relocate to San Francisco, CA where he will join Splunk as Legal Counsel. Mateo strives to be who he needed when he was younger and is on this journey with his trusty companion, Ace.





