2026 D.C. Future Legal Leaders Scholarship

About the 2026 D.C. Future Legal Leaders Scholarship

HKM Employment Attorneys offers a $1,000 scholarship for students in a pre-law, paralegal, or J.D. program at a campus within 60 miles of Washington, D.C. Applicants need a 3.0 GPA or higher, must be at least 18 at the time of submission, and submit a 250-word essay on the prompt "How I will use my legal education to serve my community," along with an unofficial transcript and a one-page resume. The deadline is October 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. local time.

Open to all. The sponsor sets no race or ethnicity requirement, so Black students are eligible alongside everyone else who meets the criteria. It is listed here because it is a significant award that Black, HBCU, and first-generation students frequently win.

Who is eligible

To apply for the 2026 D.C. Future Legal Leaders Scholarship, HKM Employment Attorneys LLP requires that you meet all of the following:

• Enrolled in a pre-law, paralegal, or J.D. program
• In good standing with a 3.0 GPA or higher
• Attending a campus within 60 miles of Washington, D.C.
• At least 18 years old at the time of submission
• Not an employee or immediate family member of HKM Employment Attorneys LLP

These are the requirements as published by the sponsor. Always confirm on the official page before applying, since sponsors update criteria between cycles.

How to apply

1. Open the official HKM Employment Attorneys LLP page and read the current criteria in full.
2. Confirm you meet every requirement listed above before starting.
3. Draft the required essay early and have someone read it.
4. Gather supporting documents, which typically include transcripts and recommendations.
5. Submit before October 15, 2026. Sponsors rarely accept late applications.

Go to the official application at hkm.com →

2026 D.C. Future Legal Leaders Scholarship: common questions