Dallas Bar Foundation

Our main program, since 1981, has been the Judge Sarah T. Hughes Diversity Law Scholarship program which removes the burden of financial constraints so outstanding minority students are able to achieve their dream and attend law school in north Texas.  The purpose of the program has been to increase diversity in the legal profession in North Texas.  Often the financial burdens that minority students face cause them to forgo their dream to become a lawyer.   They face the choice of helping  their families (parents and siblings) improve their economic condition or attend law school and add to their own personal debt.   Most often, the student chooses to address the immediate need and secures employment, contributes to the family income just to "make ends meet" and support the family's daily living expenses.  The Sarah T. Hughes Scholarship removes the financial obstacle and expense of attending law school and allows the student to concentrate on their studies. 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 wondering how they will afford the tuition. We believe the Sarah T. Hughes Diversity Scholarships create cycles of success in our community from which we all benefit. 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 goal of the scholarships is to increase diversity in the Dallas area legal profession so citizens have confidence in the justice system.

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.