Scholarships

First-year law students · $2,000 · six awards

Judge A.D. Azios 1L Scholarship

Judge A.D. Azios was the first Hispanic District Judge elected in Harris County. A World War II infantryman held as a prisoner of war, he returned to Houston, studied at South Texas College of Law, served on the municipal court and as a justice of the peace, and was later elected to a criminal district bench, where he became the first judge in Harris County to admit DNA evidence at trial. He passed away in March 2013.

In his memory, HisBA awards two $2,000 scholarships to first-year students at each of the three Houston-area law schools. Recipients are selected on financial need, demonstrated leadership, commitment to the advancement of Hispanics in the legal profession, extracurricular activities, and potential for the successful study of law.

Second-year law students · $3,000 · six awards

Judge James DeAnda 2L Scholarship

Judge James DeAnda, former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, was a lifelong champion of civil rights. He wrote most of the briefs in Hernandez v. Texas (1954), in which the Supreme Court held that Hispanics are entitled to equal protection, led the desegregation case Hernandez v. Driscoll ISD, and helped found the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and Texas Rural Legal Aid. In 1979 he became only the second Hispanic federal judge in the United States.

In his memory, HisBA awards two $3,000 scholarships to second-year students at each of the three Houston-area law schools, based on academic excellence, financial need, demonstrated leadership, extracurricular activities, and commitment to the advancement of Hispanics in the legal profession.

Third-year law students · $3,200 · six awards

3L Bar Review Scholarship

HisBA awards six $3,200 scholarships to third-year students at the three Houston-area law schools to cover the cost of a bar review course. Applicants must be graduating in May or December of the academic year, and the cost of their bar review course must not be covered by a third party, such as a law firm.

Summer public interest work · $4,000 stipends

Public Interest Fellowship

HisBA awards $4,000 stipends to law students spending the summer in public interest positions with the judiciary, a nonprofit, or a government office. Attorneys may nominate a student, and students may nominate themselves or a classmate. Nominations open each spring, and the Scholarship Committee interviews top candidates before announcing the fellows in late May.