Tyron Garner Memorial Scholarship

The Tyron Garner Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Tyron Garner. Tyron was represented by Lambda Legal* in the landmark 2003 U.S. Supreme Court case of Lawrence v. Texas, which effectively struck down the sodomy laws in all 13 states in which they still remained, thereby decriminalizing consensual adult same-sex sexual relationships and abolishing the legal stigma that was used to marginalize LGBTQ+ people in all areas of their lives. While Tyron was not an attorney, the impact of his life and bravery along with the impact of Lambda Legal’s groundbreaking case have shaped access to the legal profession for LGBTQ+ people for the last 20 years, and improving all LGBTQ+ people’s treatment within our nation’s legal systems. The Bar is proud to honor Tyron as we emerge from the 20th anniversary celebration year of the Lawrence case.

*The Bar also wishes to recognize Lambda Legal’s Tyron Garner Memorial Fellowship for African-American LGBT Civil Rights, established in 2015 to encourage and mentor recent law graduates dedicated to LGBT issues within African-American communities to become engaged in civil rights work on behalf of LGBT individuals and people living with HIV.

Law School Scholarships

The National LGBTQ+ Bar offers three scholarships of $2,500 each, annually. Students must be accepted or enrolled at least half-time in an ABA-accredited law school to be eligible, and must complete an application. Scholarships will be awarded to one incoming 1L student, one rising 2L student, and one rising 3L or 4L (enrolled in evening or part-time program) student.

The National LGBTQ+ Bar’s Scholarship Committee will evaluate each of the applicants by June 1 of each calendar year; decisions will be based, in significant part, upon demonstrated commitment to working though the law to achieve equality for LGBTQ+ people. Funds are granted on an unrestricted basis and may be used for tuition, housing, books, transportation, living expenses, bar application/study expenses, or any other law school-related expense.

Trans/Nonbinary Law Graduates of Color Grant Fund

In 2022, the National LGBTQ+ Bar Foundation established a need-based grant available to graduating transgender and/or nonbinary law graduates of color. The 2024 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:

• 2024 U.S. Law School Graduate
• Trans and/or Nonbinary
• Person of Color
• Registered to take a U.S. Bar exam in the summer of 2024 or first legal job does not start until September 1, 2024 or later.

Judge Paul G. Feinman Scholarship

In honor of the Honorable Paul G. Feinman, 1960-2021
Associate Judge, New York Court of Appeals

The International Association of LGBTQ+ Judges (“IALGBTQ+J”) established the Judge Paul G. Feinman Scholarship in 2021. Judge Feinman exemplified what is best about our nation’s legal community and judiciary. This scholarship is to assist you as you create your own path of passion and commitment to justice, as our friend Judge Feinman always did.

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP

The Judge Paul G. Feinman Scholarship will be awarded annually to a law student who has demonstrated a commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and will be working (as a judicial intern, extern, clerk, etc.) with a judge or judicial officer at some time prior to the student’s graduation from law school. Special consideration will be given to students who will be working with a member of the International Association of LGBTQ+ Judges. 

The scholarship is in the amount of $2,500. Scholarship funds are unrestricted and may be used for tuition, housing, books, transportation, living expenses, bar application/study expenses, or any other law school-related expense. To learn more about the scholarship, please watch this video announcement or visit our website. 

ABOUT JUDGE PAUL G. FEINMAN

The first openly LGBTQ+ person to sit on New York’s highest court, Judge Paul Feinman was sworn in as an Associate Judge on the New York Court of Appeals on June 21, 2017, during Pride Month. After working with the Legal Aid Society and serving as a Law Clerk to a highly respected judge, Judge Feinman began his own judicial career with his election in 1996 to serve on the New York City Civil Court. In 2007, he was elected as a Justice of the New York Supreme Court (the trial court of general jurisdiction), and then appointed by the Governor in 2012 to the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department (intermediate appellate court).

 Judge Feinman’s commitment to the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights and justice marked his entire career. While attending law school at the University of Minnesota in the 1980s, he founded an association of gay students. He was a proud leader and representative of the LGBTQ+ community at every step, including serving as a President of the International Association of LGBTQ+ Judges from 2008 to 2011 and on our Board of Directors for many years. Judge Feinman passed away in March 2021 at the age of 61.

SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA  

1. Applicants must be actively enrolled as a full-time or part-time student in good standing in a nationally accredited law school in any country in the world, e.g., in the United States, enrolled in an ABA accredited law school.
2. Applicants must be working (as a judicial intern, extern, clerk, etc.) with a judge or judicial officer at some time prior to the student’s graduation from law school. A minimum of 200 hours of work is required.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

1. A fully completed scholarship application must be submitted by midnight Eastern Time on April 1, 2024. IALGBTQ+J reserves the right to reject any incomplete or untimely application.
2. Receipt of the application will be acknowledged by email.
3. If you have any questions about the application or the scholarship, please email lgbtqjudges@gmail.com.
4. One scholarship will be awarded each year at the discretion of IALGBTQ+J.  IALGBTQ+J will evaluate all applications and notify the scholarship recipient by June 1, 2024. 

Applications are now CLOSED.

In addition to offering our own law school scholarships, the LGBTQ+ Bar has created a list of external scholarships from law firms, law schools and organizations that LGBTQ+ law students are encouraged to apply for. Please see each scholarship’s link for more information.

Please also check out the following scholarships that help law students attend Lavender Law®:

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) Foundation
Julius Turman Award

Eligible: All years
Award: Stipend of up to $1,500 to attend Lavender Law® or other conference/event

Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia
Kay Young Scholarship

Eligible: All years
Award: Lavender Law® registration