Marshall-Motley Scholars Program

Named in honor of civil rights legends Thurgood Marshall and Constance Baker Motley, this groundbreaking program will create pathways to leadership, self-sufficiency, and socio-economic progress, while developing individuals to become ambassadors and advocates for transformational change in Black communities.

The MMSP is LDF’s bold and intentional investment in populating, developing, and enriching the field of civil rights lawyers committed to racial justice. LDF has supported and helped develop some of this nation’s most legendary civil rights lawyers and leaders. LDF lawyers and cooperating attorneys are among the nation’s most well-respected legislators, judges, scholars, and political leaders. The LDF expects that the MMSP Scholars will themselves become exceptional litigators and advocates and follow in these legendary footsteps.

Award will contain:

• A full law school scholarship for tuition, room, board, and incidentals to alleviate the debt burden that can prevent future lawyers from pursuing a career in racial justice.
• Summer internships at LDF and other national civil rights organizations with office in the South to begin their training as civil rights lawyers early in their law school career.
• A two-year post-graduate fellowship at a national, regional, or local civil rights organization with a racial justice law practice in the South.
• Access to special trainings sponsored by the LDF and the National Academy of Sciences.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university no later than September 2023.

Admission to an ABA-accredited law school as a first year, full-time law student, beginning in fall 2023.

A U.S. citizen or holder of a Permanent Resident green card.

Intention to pursue a career in Civil Rights law. Must work in pursuit of racial justice in a southern state for a period of 8 years immediately following the fellowship portion of the MMSP.

• Merit-Based