Kansas Bar Foundation Awards $455,000 in Grants and Scholarships
The Kansas Bar Foundation is committed to assisting the improvement of the legal system for all Kansans. One of the key methods of accomplishing this objective is by providing grants to civil legal service programs. The KBF is proud to announce that in 2024 five Kansas organizations will receive IOLTA grants and four Community Redevelopment and Homeowners Assistance grants will be awarded. In addition, nine law students will receive scholarships.
“The Foundation was pleased with the number of applications received for our 2024 grant and scholarship cycle” said KBF President Terri Pemberton. “The grants awarded will provide more than $450,000 of support for programs designed to improve our communities by ensuring access to legal services for all Kansans and training opportunities for public service lawyers.
“Additionally, the scholarships awarded demonstrate an investment in the next generation of lawyers who will soon be taking their place in the legal community — we look forward to seeing the future accomplishments of these recipients. We believe these awards collectively serve to strengthen our community. Congratulations to the awardees!
IOLTA Grants
Funding for IOLTA comes from the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts program. The program is a partnership with Kansas bankers and lawyers that started in 1984 and provides interest from attorney trust accounts to fund charitable purposes.
Kansas Legal Services — $125,000
To provide direct, holistic civil legal services through advice, representation, and outreach to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, elder abuse, and crime victims throughout the state. www.kansaslegalservices.org
Kansas Bar Association Access to Justice Committee for Kansas Free Legal Answers — $23,500
To establish a virtual legal advice clinic in which qualifying users post civil legal questions at no cost to be answered by pro bono attorneys licensed in Kansas. The program is part of ABA Free Legal Answers, a project of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service. The site will be available to the public in spring 2024. www.ksbar.org
Disability Rights Center of Kansas — $15,500
To expand its capacity to meet the unmet civil legal needs of its clients, including but not limited to victims of crime, housing, landlord/tenant, debtor/creditor, consumer protection, elder law, administrative, and family law. www.drckansas.org
National Institute for Trial Advocacy — $10,000
To provide support for the Kansas Public Service Advocacy Skills Program. Twenty-four public service attorneys will attend tuition free. The learning-by-doing program provides a setting for attorneys to develop trial advocacy skills. www.nita.org
KBA Young Lawyers Section High School Mock Trial Program — $6,000
To support the 2024 regional and state competitions for high school students. Schools throughout the state form teams to compete in a law-focused program designed to provide an operational understanding of substantive and procedural legal issues and the judicial process. www.ksbar.org
Community Redevelopment and Homeowners Assistance Grants
In 2015, the Kansas Bar Foundation received $3,273,938.50 from a national settlement to be used for the sole purpose of providing funding to legal aid organizations in Kansas. The focus is to provide legal services for foreclosure prevention and community redevelopment.
Kansas Legal Services — $200,000
To provide legal assistance to persons facing foreclosure proceedings with legal advice and individual representation. KLS plans to serve approximately 75 cases in foreclosure prevention with advocacy, legal representation, and advice when appropriate to resolve foreclosure activities. In addition, the project will provide legal advice and support to approximately 200 Kansans who need an expungement to improve their housing. www.kansaslegalservices.org
Kansas Legal Services — $75,000 (for three $25,000 grants)
Hays/Ellis County — To provide direct legal assistance to 50 persons in Ellis County facing serious and persistent legal barriers to employment and housing.
Independence/Montgomery County — To screen 30 persons for legal barriers to employment and provide legal assistance to resolve barriers to employment and housing.
Johnson County — To screen 50 persons for legal barriers to employment and provide legal assistance to 40 persons to resolve barriers to employment and housing.
Scholarships
Attorneys and law firms have established several scholarship opportunities for law students. Members of the Kansas Bar Foundation Scholarship Committee reviewed applications from 26 students and recommended nine students to the KBF Board of Trustees as recipients. All were approved by the board.
The Frank M. Rice Scholarship — $5,000
2024 Recipient: Anthony Albertini, Washburn University School of Law
The scholarship promotes the practice of law in the state of Kansas by awarding tuition assistance to a student attending the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law. The donor of this scholarship described the purpose of the scholarship as one that is intended to help law students become lawyers in the mold of Frank M. Rice who was “among the finest…in the Bar. He was at the top of his class…and always applied the highest level of legal scholarship to any legal matter in which he was involved.” The recipient must have been admitted to law school and must be a Kansas resident.
Hinkle Law Firm Student Scholarship — $3,000
2024 Recipient: Grace Reiman, Washburn University School of Law
This scholarship is intended for a law student at the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law. Applicants should demonstrate a bona fide intention to practice law in Kansas. Because community service is extremely important to the Hinkle Law firm, applicants must also demonstrate a history of community involvement to be considered.
The John E. Shamberg Memorial Law Student Scholarship — $3,000
2024 Recipient: Alexandro Vasquez, Washburn University School of Law
This scholarship is designed for a Washburn University School of Law student who has an interest in plaintiff’s work as well as a bona fide interest in practicing in Kansas.
Lathrop & GPM Scholarship — $2,000
2024 Recipient: Elm Beck, University of Kansas School of Law
This scholarship is awarded to a law student at the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law. Applicants should demonstrate a bona fide intention to practice law in Kansas. Applicants must demonstrate a history of community involvement to be considered.
Frank C. and Jeanne M. Norton Scholarship — $2,000
2024 Recipient: Caley Brand, Washburn University School of Law
This scholarship is available exclusively to Washburn University School of Law students in their second or third year of study.
MVP Law Firm Diversity Scholarship — $1,500 (two scholarships)
2024 Recipients: Jonnette Oakes, Washburn University School of Law; Samara Thompson, Washburn University School of Law
This scholarship recognizes the documented underrepresentation of minorities pursuing legal careers in the state of Kansas. This scholarship is intended to address one of the several barriers to minorities entering law school. It is open to students who are college seniors and committed to attend law school at the University of Kansas, UMKC, Washburn University, or a minority 1L, 2L, or 3L student attending one of those schools.
The Justice Alex M. Fromme Memorial Scholarship Award — $1,000
2024 Recipient: Leah Stein, University of Kansas School of Law
The award is intended for a law student attending the University of Kansas Law School or Washburn University Law School who is committed to practicing law in Kansas.
Case, Moses, & Zimmerman P.A. Law Student Scholarship — $1,000
2024 Recipient: Michael Braun, Washburn University School of Law
This scholarship is intended to go to a second-year law student at a Kansas law school, Creighton University School of Law or Oklahoma City University School of Law. The student should have a bona fide intention of practicing in the state of Kansas and demonstrate strong participation in law school and community activities.
The Capitol Federal Foundation Diversity Scholarship — $1,000
2024 Recipient: Elm Beck, University of Kansas School of Law
This scholarship is awarded to a third-year law student who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion in the law student’s school and broader legal community.
