Scholarship for Graduate Legal Studies

The $20,000 Law Society Scholarship encourages and financially assists a law graduate to complete a full-time program of graduate legal studies that will benefit the student, the province and the legal profession in BC.

Graduating law students and law graduates of the University of British Columbia, University of Victoria or Thompson Rivers University are eligible to apply for the scholarship, as are other law school graduates who can show a real or substantial connection to BC. Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic and other qualifications.

Selection criteria

The Benchers award the Law Society Scholarship, on recommendation of the Credentials Committee based on the following criteria:

• academic standing;
• positive social contributions, such as volunteer work;
• intention to practise in British Columbia after completing graduate studies;
• financial need; and
• proposed graduate work in terms of its importance or significance.

How to apply

An eligible applicant may apply by submitting:

• a letter of application setting out the details of your academic career to date and proposed plans for graduate study;
• official transcripts of academic institutions attended; and
• three letters of recommendation: one letter from the Dean of the law school from which the applicant graduated or is about to graduate and two letters from professors of that law school.

The application letter (including the applicant's email address and phone number) and accompanying materials should be mailed to:

Lesley Small
Senior Director, Credentials, Professional Development & Practice Support
Law Society of British Columbia
800 – 845 Cambie Street
Vancouver, BC  V6B 4Z9

Terms

• The scholarship may not be offered in a given year and will be awarded only if there is a highly qualified applicant.
• The scholarship must be used in the year it is awarded. A recipient may accept other scholarships and awards up to an amount not exceeding the tuition of the graduate program in which he or she enrols, or such other amount as the Credentials Committee may determine.
• A student who is awarded the scholarship must report on his or her use of the scholarship and provide a copy of the relevant work.

What is the deadline for submission?

All documents must be submitted to the Law Society no later than April 30 of any given year.

For more information, contact the Senior Director, Credentials, Professional Development & Practice Support.