The call for racial justice and equity has never been louder, and the need for highly trained, dedicated advocates has never been more urgent. Who will stand on the front lines to defend civil rights in the communities that need it most?
The answer lies in the next generation of attorneys.
To meet the civil rights challenges of today, a corps of legal professionals equipped with a deep commitment to service is needed. This is why the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) created the Marshall-Motley Scholars Program (MMSP). And it’s why BARBRI is proud to stand alongside them.
The Legacy of the Legal Defense Fund
For decades, the Legal Defense Fund has been the premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Founded by Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice, the LDF has a storied history of battling segregation and fighting for structural changes to our democracy. And the work isn’t finished.
The path to equity requires constant vigilance and a continuous influx of sharp legal minds. The Marshall-Motley Scholars Program is a groundbreaking commitment to endow the American South with these necessary advocates. Named in honor of Thurgood Marshall and iconic civil rights litigator Constance Baker Motley, the program is designed to identify and invest in aspiring lawyers dedicated to pursuing civil rights law.
About the Marshall-Motley Scholars Program
The MMSP is more than a scholarship; it is a pipeline for leadership. The program was established to create a corps of civil rights attorneys, all equipped to advocate on behalf of Black communities in the South—where the majority of Black Americans live. It is a region rich in history but also one filled with systemic challenges that require persistent legal advocacy.
Scholars accepted into this prestigious program receive comprehensive support from the Legal Defense Fund in partnership with BARBRI to remove the barriers that often prevent talented individuals from pursuing public interest law in the southern United States. Together, BARBRI and the LDF ensure that scholars are not just educated but empowered.
BARBRI’s Partnership with the Legal Defense Fund
At BARBRI, we know that passing the bar exam is a critical hurdle between a law student and their ability to practice civil rights law.
That’s why, for the last several years, we have been proud to work directly with the Legal Defense Fund and the Marshall-Motley Scholars to provide essential resources for their success.
We want to ensure that every Marshall-Motley Scholar walks into the bar exam with confidence and walks out as a licensed attorney ready to serve. By providing the best experience in bar review, we help clear the path for these future leaders.
Build Your Expertise + Resilience
The journey to becoming a civil rights attorney is rigorous. It demands resilience. It demands a support network.
Through the MMSP, scholars do not walk this path alone. They are trained by the Legal Defense Fund, an organization that has defined civil rights litigation for nearly a century. And when it comes time to validate that education with a law license, BARBRI is there to bridge the gap.
We provide the tools, the expertise, and the personalized experience necessary to conquer the bar exam. We treat the success of these scholars as our own success because we know what their future work represents for our legal community.
To learn more about the program and how to apply, visit MarshallMotleyScholars.org.
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