Legal Ethics Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by James Kennedy, P.L.L.C.
James Kennedy Law is committed to promoting ethical conduct within the legal profession. We are deeply concerned about the prevalence of barratry among lawyers in Texas and across the United States. Our mission is to combat these unethical practices and safeguard the rights of individuals. To this end, we have established a scholarship program aimed at fostering a new generation of attorneys who will adhere to the highest ethical standards.
Understanding Barratry
Barratry refers to certain unethical behaviors exhibited by attorneys. It often involves exploiting the law for personal gain or profit. Some lawyers may breach the law by engaging in practices such as "ambulance chasing" or directly contacting injury victims to offer their legal services. They may also use lawsuits as a tool to harass or intimidate others. Lawyers found guilty of barratry can face disciplinary action, and in extreme cases, criminal charges.
Promoting Ethical Legal Practices
In our effort to combat barratry, we offer an annual scholarship of $1,000 to a law student who is dedicated to maintaining ethical standards. This scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate a clear understanding of barratry and a commitment to ethical legal practices.
Eligibility Criteria
- The James Kennedy Law Legal Ethics Scholarship is open to applicants who meet the following requirements:
- Enrollment in an accredited law school or a pre-law program at a U.S. college or university for the Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 semester
- U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Minimum age of 17 years
Application Process
Applicants are required to submit the following:
- A 500-1,000-word essay responding to the following prompt: Provide a real-world example of barratry, citing a relevant source such as a news article. Discuss why the behavior described is unethical and suggest measures to prevent such practices and uphold ethical standards in the legal profession.
- Proof of enrollment at a U.S. college or university, an academic transcript showing your GPA, contact details, and a professional photograph (.jpg format).
All application materials must be submitted by 11:59 PM on August 13, 2025.
Selection Process
The selection of the scholarship recipient will be based on the following criteria:
- The thoughtfulness and originality of the essay
- The quality and clarity of the writing
- Adherence to application requirements, including citation of a source in the essay
- The recipient will be chosen and notified by September 15, 2025. The scholarship funds will be sent directly to the financial aid office of the recipient's school.