Kansas Bar Foundation Awards $675,000 in Grants and Scholarships
Recently, the Kansas Bar Foundation (KBF) Board of Trustees approved $675,000 in funding for grants and scholarships. Six programs will receive a total of $360,000 from the Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA) grant program. In addition, Kansas Legal Services will receive $275,000 in Community Redevelopment Homeowners Assistance (CRHA) funding. The KBF Board of Trustees also approved awarding scholarships to eleven law students.
Funding for the IOLTA program comes from the interest on lawyer trust accounts. IOLTA is a partnership with over 100 financial institutions, the KBF, and attorneys and law firms that hold client funds in those trust accounts. Since 1984, interest from the accounts has provided over $6 million in funding for grants to support civil legal services programs and law related education throughout the state.
In 2015, the KBF 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 of KBF CRHA grants is to provide funding for legal services for foreclosure prevention and community redevelopment.
“The programs recommended for funding by our IOLTA/CRHA Committee are all programs that will benefit Kansans across the State. The focus for 2026 will again be on foreclosure prevention and eviction services along with expungement clinics to assist individuals in reducing legal barriers to employment, loan assistance, and other areas,” said Kevin Mitchelson, KBF president.
The KBF opened the scholarship application process in December. Eligible students submitted applications and provided two letters of recommendation.
“The Scholarship Committee had their hands full this year. Over sixty students applied for scholarships. The number of outstanding law students to select from was overwhelming, and we are pleased to provide these scholarships to the recipients selected,” Mitchelson stated. “This is good news for the provision of vital legal services across our Kansas.”
Mitchelson complimented and thanked committee members and congratulated the grant and scholarship recipients.
IOLTA Grants
Kansas Legal Services, Inc. (KLS) $261,500
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. The funds will be combined with federal VOCA dollars to increase direct legal assistance to survivors. www.kansaslegalservices.org
Disability Rights Center of Kansas (DRC) $26,000
To expand its scope of services to better meet the civil legal services needs of their clients. DRC provides free legal representation and legal advice in situations where the disabled person’s civil or disability rights are at stake or they are a victim of crime. Their clients must meet the program and eligibility requirements for federal funding. The IOLTA funding provides services to those who fall in the gap and empowers DRC to serve Kansans with disabilities in ways it hasn’t traditionally. Funding will also provide expanding their reach for unmet civil legal needs of clients, including but not limited to victims of crime, housing, landlord tenant, debtor creditor, consumer protection, elder law, and administrative and family law. www.drckansas.org
Kansas Bar Association (KBA) Access to Justice Free Legal Answers $23,500
To continue the American Bar Association Kansas Free Legal Answers program. This virtual legal advice clinic allows qualified users to submit civil legal questions to pro bono attorneys who volunteer to provide brief legal advice. The goal is to increase online access to civil legal services for Kansans who qualify. https://kansas.freelegalanswers.org
Kansas Bar Association (KBA) Bench-Bar Committee $23,000
To sustain and enhance a resource designed to educate Kansas voters about appellate judges in our Kansas. This resource offers survey results from Kansas lawyers, detailed biographic profiles, sample opinions, and key information on the Kansas judiciary. One important goal is to explain the role of the judiciary in maintaining a fair legal system. The website offers a detailed review of the merit selection process as it happens. www.yourkansasjudges.org
Kansas Bar Association (KBA) Leadership Institute $16,000
Funding provides for the KBA to host a four-month leadership program designed to engage early-career attorneys in a structured introduction to the legal profession’s role in public service, the judicial system, the legislative process, and to issues or challenges directly facing young lawyers.
National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) Foundation $10,000
The NITA Foundation requested continued funding for their multi-day courtroom advocacy program for public service lawyers in Kansas. Since 2011, the Kansas Bar Foundation and The NITA Foundation have shared a great camaraderie as they worked toward their common goal of supporting public service lawyers in Kansas. Funding in 2026 will provide for up to 40 participants to receive instruction and materials to develop and finesse their advocacy skills. www.nita.org
Community Redevelopment and Homeowners Assistance Grants
Kansas Legal Services, Inc. (KLS) $200,000
Statewide — To serve Kansans facing foreclosure and eviction proceedings with legal advice and individual representation. The project will also provide support to Kansans who need expungement services to improve their housing or neighborhood.
Kansas Legal Services, Inc. (KLS) $75,000 (for three $25,000 grants)
Southeast Kansas — To provide direct legal assistance to individuals in Southeast Kansas seeking to expunge their criminal records or resolve other legal barriers that prevent them from securing employment and stable housing.
Dickinson and Riley Counties — To provide direct legal assistance to individuals in Dickinson and Riley counties seeking to expunge their criminal records or resolve other legal barriers that prevent them from securing employment and stable housing.
Brown County and Kickapoo Nation — To provide direct legal assistance to individuals in Brown County and residents of Kickapoo Nation seeking to expunge their criminal records or resolve other legal barriers that prevent them from securing employment and stable housing. www.kansaslegalservices.org
Scholarships
Attorneys and law firms have established several scholarship opportunities for law students. Members of the Kansas Bar Foundation Scholarship Committee reviewed applications from 60 students and recommended eleven students to the KBF Board of Trustees as recipients. All were approved by the board.
“New this year is the Buser Family Scholarship. This scholarship was established by retired Court of Appeals Judge Michael B. Buser, and his wife, Mrs. Holly Buser,” said Mitchelson. “We are pleased to offer this scholarship which recognizes the legacy of attorneys in the Buser family and provides opportunities for law students with disabilities and those who are the first in their family to attend law school.”
The Buser Family Scholarship $5,000
Anna Hoy, University of Kansas School of Law
This scholarship commemorates three generations of the Buser family who have practiced law in the state of Kansas by annually awarding funds to a student attending or accepted to attend the University of Kansas School of Law, Washburn University School of Law, or the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law. Preference will be given to a student who is the first in their family to attend law school and or a student with a disability.
The Frank M. Rice Scholarship $6,000
Alex Davis, University of Kansas School of Law
This 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 Judge Patrick D. McAnany Scholarship $5,000
Lauren Wagner, Washburn University School of Law
This scholarship is in recognition of the fifty-year legal career of the late Judge Patrick D. McAnany. The scholarship promotes the practice of law in Kansas by awarding funds to a student attending the University of Kansas School of Law, Washburn University School of Law, or the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law. Preference is given to law students with the intent to practice in Kansas, with strong preference given to a student with the intent to practice in a rural area of Kansas.
MVP Law Scholarship $5,000
Catlynn Black, Washburn University School of Law
This scholarship was established by the MVP Law Firm for incoming students with demonstrated interest to practice in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, or Iowa in workers' compensation, civil litigation, or insurance defense. An award is based on student participation in college/law school community activities and academic achievement.
The Hinkle Law Firm Student Scholarship $5,000
Kyla Barry, Washburn University School of Law
This scholarship is open to University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law students who intend to practice in Kansas. Applicants should exhibit professionalism and high character in their personal and professional lives and demonstrate a history of involvement in their community.
The Lathrop GPM Scholarship $3,500
Kilian Cox, Washburn University 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 and a history of community involvement.
Frank C. and Jeanne M. Norton Scholarship $3,000
LaKya Leslie, 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.
Case, Moses, & Zimmerman P.A. Law Student Scholarship $2,500
Elisa Quintero Sanchez, 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 John E. Shamberg Memorial Law Student Scholarship $2,000
Janira Silva, 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.
The Justice Alex M. Fromme Memorial Scholarship Award $1,500
Ruby Howell, Washburn University 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.
The Maxine S. Thompson Memorial Scholarship $1,500
Aria Smith, Washburn University School of Law
This scholarship promotes the practice of law in rural Kansas. Applicants must originally be from Kansas and attend either the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law. Additionally, applicants must be committed to practicing law in rural Kansas, preferably western Kansas.
