As part of our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in the profession, Bennett Jones LLP has established the Future Leaders in Law Scholarship Program (the "Program") which will provide financial support and mentorship to students enrolled in accredited Canadian law faculties.

Download the PDF


The Objective

  • To remove some of the barriers certain students may face as they pursue their law school studies with the goal of entering the legal profession.

The Program

  • Commencing in the 2024-25 academic year, three scholarships will be offered annually to provide financial assistance to incoming first-year law students who have a demonstrated interest in business law and identify as members of the Indigenous or Black communities, and/or are among the first generation of their immediate family to undertake post-secondary education (as further defined under "Eligibility"). Recipients of the first-year scholarship are eligible for additional assistance in their second and third years of law school. In addition to financial assistance, the Program will provide mentorship and other career development opportunities to the scholarship recipients.

Amount

  • Each of the three recipients will receive $10,000 for use towards their first-year tuition of a recognized J.D. or LL.B. program at a Canadian law school (the "First-Year Award"). Each recipient is also eligible to receive an additional $10,000 per year for use towards their second and third-year tuition of that same or other recognized J.D./L.L.B. program at an accredited Canadian law school (the "Upper-Year Awards") provided the recipient continues to meet the eligibility criteria below.
  • The First-Year Award amount, and the Upper-Year Award amounts, if applicable, will be paid directly to each recipient by September 15 on proof of enrollment for the applicable academic year.

Application Deadline

  • July 15 of each calendar year for the First-Year Award and the Upper-Year Award.

Eligibility

To be awarded a First-Year Award, the successful applicant must:

  • be entering their first year of full-time study at a J.D./L.L.B. program at an accredited Canadian law school;
  • be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident;
  • identify as a member of at least one of the following:
    • Canadian First Nations, Métis or Inuit;
    • African Canadian, African, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latino or other Black group; or
    • First generation to complete or be in the process of completing post-secondary education (i.e., the student's parents or guardians did not complete post-secondary education). "Post-secondary education" means college, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma; university certificate or diploma below bachelor level; or a university degree (bachelor's degree; university certificate or diploma above bachelor level; degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or optometry; master's degree; earned doctorate); and
  • demonstrate an interest in pursuing a future career in business law.

To be awarded an Upper-Year Award, the successful applicant must:

  • be entering their second or third year of full-time study at a J.D./L.L.B. program at an accredited Canadian law school;
  • have received either a First-Year Award or an Upper-Year Award in the prior academic year; and
  • have completed a full course load and maintained a minimum B minus average (or numerical equivalent) during the prior academic year.

Applications

  • First-Year Award: All application materials should be submitted electronically to futureleadersinlaw@bennettjones.com by no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 15. Please address the cover letter and reference letter(s) to: Future Leaders in Law Scholarship Committee, c/o Bennett Jones. Applicants for a First-Year Award must provide:
    • A 1-2 page cover letter describing: (1) the applicant's educational goals and career plan and how the financial assistance provided by a Bennett Jones LLP Future Leaders in Law Scholarship will help them achieve these goals; and (2) how or why the applicant, through their academic, work, extra-curricular and/or community involvement, is a strong candidate for the scholarship;
    • An up-to-date resume to provide a comprehensive overview of their qualifications and experience;
    • Copies of official transcripts from all university-level undergraduate and graduate programs, whether in Canada or abroad; and
    • At least one, but no more than two, reference letter(s) in support of the applicant's academic, work, extra-curricular or community involvement, as may be referred to by the applicant in their single-page cover letter. The reference should not be from a family member or related person.
  • Upper-Year Award: All application materials should be submitted electronically to futureleadersinlaw@bennettjones.com by no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 15. Applicants for an Upper-Year Award must provide:
    • An up-to-date resume to provide a comprehensive overview of their qualifications and experience;
    • Copies of official transcripts of their first-year law school grades by July 15 of their first-year and/or second year grades by July 15 of their second year, as applicable; and
    • Proof of continued enrolment as a full-time law student at a J.D./L.L.B. program at an accredited Canadian law school.

Mentorship and Career Development Assistance

  • In addition to the Award(s), the recipient will also receive mentorship from both a Bennett Jones lawyer and law student as well as career development assistance from the Chief Legal Talent Officer and our regional Directors that oversee Student Recruitment and Programs. Recipients will also have the opportunity to attend various virtual and/or in-person networking and training events throughout the term of the scholarship.

Recognition

  • Awards recipients will be highlighted on Bennett Jones' website and other social media platforms. Each recipient agrees to assist Bennett Jones by, among other things, providing a passport size photograph for such purpose and providing any necessary consents to use the recipient's likeness on firm materials in promotion of the Program.