Dallas Bar Foundation

Our signature program, since 1981, has been the Judge Sarah T. Hughes Law Scholarship program which removes the burden of financial constraints.  The scholarship enables talented law students to obtain a legal education in our community with the purpose of expanding access and opportunity for individuals whose experiences and perspectives are not widely represented in the legal community of North Texas.  It is important that citizens have confidence in the justice system and believe they can be fairly represented. Many scholars are the first in the family to attend college. The Scholarship supports students whose journey to law school reflects determination, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose by overcoming obstacles or societal challenges; or who balance work, family, or military service while pursuing their legal education.  

The Sarah T. Hughes Scholarship helps create cycles of success in our community.  It has allowed many talented students to complete a law school education they would have previously considered out of reach.   Hughes Scholars have become members of the judiciary, Chairs of non-profit organizations in our community and business associations such as the Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, corporate counsel at major corporations, and valedictorian of their law school.  The scholarship recipients often share that the scholarship provides them, for the first time, the freedom to focus on academics and relieves them of the stress of financial worry. 

The Dallas Bar Foundation provides clerkship/internship opportunities for law students at the U.S. District Court, Supreme Court of Texas, Fifth District Court of Appeals, 14th Civil District Court, Dallas County District Attorney's office, Dallas County Public Defender's Office and the City Attorney's Office. Students rely on work experience in the legal profession during law school to help gain employment, upon graduation, in public service careers. The Collins Clerkship program awards summer internships to minority law students who might not otherwise have such an opportunity.

The Dallas Bar Foundation provides financial support to the Dallas Bar Association High School Mock Trial Program. For more than 30 years, the DBA has sponsored the Texas High School Mock Trial competition in Dallas. The state winner for Texas then proceeds to the national championship.

The Dallas Bar Foundation supports non-profit organizations in our community whose programs align with our mission of providing legal assistance to those who are under-represented and whose programs promote the furtherance of justice under the law.

Our Needs

The Dallas Bar Foundation is seeking funds to continue our successful programs: Sarah T. Hughes Diversity Law Scholarships; Law Student Clerkships; High School Mock Trial Program; and grants to support legal assistance for the under-served.