The Ms. JD Scholarship program provides a stipend to students as they pursue careers in public interest and civil rights law. Ms. JD is thrilled to continue our support of women pursuing public interest careers and soften the burden faced by those who accept public interest and civil rights related internships, which are often unpaid.

Ms. JD aims to award scholarships to applicants who will become leaders in the public interest and civil rights community and who will follow through on a plan to pursue public interest and civil rights career paths.  This commitment can be demonstrated through prior work experience (not necessarily legal in nature), engagement in public service or civil rights work during your undergraduate and legal education, and service and volunteer work. Successful applicants demonstrate an understanding of the rewards and challenges of a public interest or civil rights legal career.

Applications for the 2024 Ms. JD Scholarships are now open. Click below to submit your application before 11:59pm ET on March 1, 2024.

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Ms. JD's Public Interest Scholarships are given once per year to a law student who is pursuing a career in public interest law.

The definition of public interest law is broad and includes both domestic and international work; direct service, impact litigation, and policy work; and government and non-profit work. Former public interest scholarship award recipients have pursued internships in immigration law, women’s rights, public health, public defense, government at all levels, and criminal justice reform.

The Breonna Taylor & Kenneth Walker Civil Rights Scholarship was endowed by Munger, Tolles & Olson in 2024.

The scholarship is awarded annually to a law student with a demonstrated commitment to practicing civil rights law and who is completing a related internship. This scholarship is given in addition to the Ms. JD Public Interest Scholarship with the aim of honoring the legacies of Breonna Taylor and Kenneth Walker and supporting aspiring civil rights practitioners in their educational pursuits.

Meet Our 2024 Scholarship Recipients

Please join us in congratulating the incredible law students who received a 2024 Scholarship. Scroll down and click on their images to learn more about their stories and the impactful public interest work they are doing.

ELIGIBILITY

  • The Scholarships are open to all law students in their first or second year at an ABA-accredited U.S. law school as of summer 2024. Part-time law students in their third year may also apply.
  • Applicants should be planning to work at least 30 hours per week for a minimum of 4 weeks over the summer of 2024.
  • Eligible placements include positions with a government agency, nonprofit organization, or unpaid judicial externship.
  • Applicants do not need to have a confirmed placement at the time of application, but will be asked to submit an offer letter confirming their public interest placement by June 2024.
  • Applicant must be a member of the Ms. JD Online Community. Join here.
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THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC INTEREST

This scholarship program is designed to empower future law students, who are committed to public service and have accepted public interest internships, which are often unpaid.

FAQs

What is the Ms. JD Public Interest Scholarship and the Breonna Taylor & Kenneth Walker Civil Rights Scholarship?

The Ms. JD Scholarship program provides a stipend to students as they pursue careers in public interest and civil rights law. Ms. JD is thrilled to continue our support of women pursuing these critical careers and soften the burden faced by those who accept public interest and civil rights internships, which are often unpaid. Scholarship recipients will be honored at the Limitless Gala & Awards on April 11, 2024. Each scholarship recipient will receive a free ticket to attend the Gala.

Does each scholarship have its own application?

No, there is one application for the 2024 Ms. JD scholarships. Each applicant will automatically be considered for both the Public Interest Scholarship and the Breonna Taylor & Kenneth Walker Civil Rights Scholarship.

What are the expected requirements as a scholarship recipient?

Scholarship recipients are expected to fulfill the following requirements:

  • Complete their summer placement by working at least 30 hours per week for a minimum of 4 weeks over the summer of 2024.
  • Please note, should a scholarship recipient not be able to meet this requirement, they have a moral obligation to repay the amount of the scholarship.

How are scholarship recipients selected?

The process of selecting recipients is holistic. Scholarship recipients are selected based on academic performance, leadership, and dedication to advancing the status of women in public interest and civil rights law.

What materials do I need to apply for the scholarships?

Before starting your application, please be sure to have the following files available to upload to your application: a copy of your resume, your unofficial law school transcript(s), and one letter of recommendation. 

I am not a first-year or second-year law school student (or third-year for part-time students).  Can I still apply to the scholarships?

First of all, thank you for your interest in the Ms. JD scholarships!  The scholarships are only open to students who are in their first or second year of law school (or third year for part-time students). 

Can you add some information to my application after I have submitted it?

No, we cannot alter or add information to your application form once we have received it (the only exception is if you or your recommender’s contact information changes). Please make sure your application is ready and complete before you submit it.

How are applicants selected?

Applications are read thoroughly by a committee. The committee members then score applicants based on a rubric and then discuss the most promising applicants they consider the most suitable to receive the Ms. JD scholarships.