New Program Aims To Bring More Civil Rights Lawyers To The South

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The new scholarship program is in part named after the late Constance Baker Motley, seen here in 2004, who was the first Black woman federal judge.





Bebeto Matthews/AP



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Bebeto Matthews/AP



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Jino Ray, who will direct the scholars program, said it will support 10 incoming students for the next five years, through law school, summer internships, a two-year fellowship program and special training sessions.

«The goal here is to leave nothing to chance related to their ability to pay for law school, focus on their education and focus on getting the highest level of training possible so they can spend the time in the field once they get down to the South actually doing the work they’re passionate about, and that’s serving the community, Ray said.

The American Bar Association has found the cost of law school has risen 175% since 1985, and pressure from student loans can disproportionately lead Black lawyers to take unwanted career paths, the LDF said.

Joel Motley, the son of the late judge after whom the program is named, said now is the time to build the next generation of civil rights lawyers.

«As deeply concerning recent events have made clear, there is much work to be done to ensure equal rights for Black Americans, Motley said.