AACTLA Scholarships

 AACTLA 2025-2026 JEFF ADACHI AWARD

Aspiring Public Defender Scholarship

The Asian American Criminal Trial Lawyers Association (AACTLA) is now accepting applications for its annual scholarship program for law students dedicated to criminal indigent defense.  

AACTLA is a non-profit organization of criminal defense attorneys and law students working in the criminal justice system to defend the rights of the accused and to serve the Asian American community.  Our mission is to improve the practice of criminal defense and to promote the fair administration of justice for all by ensuring the meaningful participation of Asian Americans in the legal profession. 

Through its student mentorship and training activities, AACTLA hopes to shape the next generation of attorneys working on behalf of system-impacted individuals.

AACTLA awards monetary scholarships to eligible law students who have a demonstrated commitment in areas consistent with AACTLA’s mission. This year’s award will also include a BARBRI bar prep course. Multiple scholarships may be awarded. The scholarship program is open to law students who are planning to pursue a career in criminal indigent defense or a related criminal justice pursuit.  

The scholarship honors the memory of Jeff Adachi. Jeff exemplified zealous advocacy, innovation in the delivery of legal services, and a commitment to developing future defenders.

“There are a lot of battles to be fought, so I just hope that the next generation that is coming up does not shy away from that challenge. I hope that they realize and recognize the sacrifices that people have made to put myself and other Asian American leaders in the positions that we are in. I hope we are able not only to leverage that and do greater things for ourselves, but to also make room for the next generation of attorneys who are coming up. They are the ones who will pick up the mantel and continue the fight against justice.” 

Asian American Law Journal, Jeff Adachi, 15 Asian Am. L.J. 225 (2008), accessed on July 12, 2023 at https://scholarship.law.berkeley.edu/aalj/vol15/iss1/8/.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 

To apply, please submit: 

  • A personal statement describing your experience and commitment to indigent criminal defense, including a statement on why you want to be a public defender (max 1000 words);

  • Resume;

  • Law school transcript;

  • Two references.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

In order for your application to be considered you must: 

  1. Be an AACTLA Student Member at the time your application is submitted.  If you are not yet a member, you can join here: http://www.aactla.org/membership-dues/ 

  2. Be committed to attending and volunteering at AACTLA sponsored events.  This includes showing a willingness to volunteer at our 9th Annual Installation Gala on October 18, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco hotel.

The scholarship will be awarded at our annual gala on October 18, 2025 (6 pm - 10 pm) at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco, 345 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA 94108. 

DEADLINE 

Applications must be received no later than midnight on September 19, 2025. 

We will interview finalists from September 20 to September 28, 2025. 

Please submit materials electronically in a single PDF document to aactlabayarea@gmail.com.