Multicultural Judges and Lawyers Section of the Delaware Bar Association 2021 Alford Excellence Award
2021 Alford Excellence Award:
In honor of Haile L. Alford, the first African-American female judge in the State of Delaware, the Multicultural Judges and Lawyers Section (“MJL Section”) of the Delaware State Bar Association will grant the 2021 Alford Excellence Award to at least three future practitioners who will sit for the July 2021 Delaware Bar Examination. Judge Alford was appointed by Governor Mike Castle in 1992 and served on the bench until her untimely death in 2003 at the age of 54. The 2021 Alford Excellence Award will be in the amount of $3,000.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Application materials include: (1) the 2021 Alford Excellence Award Application, (2) a personal essay (1,000 word limit), and (3) at least one but no more than three letters of recommendation.
Part I
2021 Alford Excellence Award Application: Applicants must submit the attached Application to highlight their superior academic credentials, leadership qualities, commitment to community service, and intent to actively practice law in the State of Delaware. Applicants must complete all of the requested information in the Application and include copies of their transcript (an unofficial copy is acceptable) and résumé. Applicants may also include copies of other relevant documents, such as awards, recognition certificates, etc.
Part II
Personal Essay: Applicants must submit a persuasive essay highlighting their demonstrated leadership abilities, commitment to community service, personal barriers that have been overcome and/or providing examples of academic achievements, awards and certificates, personal qualities and character. In addition, applicants MUST address why they desire to actively practice law in Delaware and/or their ties/commitment to the State of Delaware. As a reminder, this scholarship is intended to help defray the cost of sitting for the Delaware Bar Exam.
Part III
Letters of recommendation: Each applicant must submit at least one (1), but no more than three (3), letters of recommendation, highlighting how the applicant meets any/all of the criteria mentioned above.
Part IV
Each scholarship recipient will be required to submit proof of a submitted application to sit for the 2021 Delaware Bar by May 7, 2021. Failure to do so will lead to forfeiture of the scholarship.
All application materials should be submitted via email by April 9, 2021 to:
The Alford Excellence Award Selection Committee
Attn: Emily Bryant-Álvarez, Esq.
Multicultural Judges and Lawyers Section
Emily.Bryant-Alvarez@delaware.gov
For a copy of the application, please email your CDO advisor.