Law Society Scholarship for Graduate Legal Studies
The $12,000 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 or the University of Victoria 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.
Applications for the scholarship, including all supporting documents, must be received by March 15.
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.
For more information, contact the Manager, Credentials & Licensing
2012 Recipient
Congratulations to Jennifer Wai Yin Chan, winner of the 2012 Law Society Scholarship.
Chan graduated from the University of Victoria law school. She articled with McCarthy Tetrault and was called to the bar in September 2009. She practised as an associate with McCarthy Tetrault until February 1, 2010, when she became a sole practioner.
Chan would like to pursue an LL.M., and her area of interest, in particular, is affordable legal access and the provision of legal aid in BC. She intends to research and then propose a legal test for determining precisely what situations will support a right to legal representation. This will include specific examples that argue for a broader right to counsel beyond the limited situations presently recognized.
Chan has recently been accepted for admission to Harvard Law School's LL.M. program.
