The John Marshall Scholars Program
This most prestigious scholarship was created to give highly qualified aspirants a truly incomparable legal education. John Marshall Scholars receive an annual $10,000 scholarship for three years of full-time study at Richmond Law providing they remain in the top third of their class at the end of first and second years of study. John Marshall Scholars may also qualify for other scholarships awarded on the basis of need or merit.
The John Marshall Scholars participate in the John Marshall Scholars seminar which is taught by Justice Elizabeth B. Lacy of the Supreme Court of Virginia. The class is the only Law School course to include students from all three academic years. Justice Lacy uses this opportunity to expose students to legal issues and controversies currently in the news and to introduce the Marshall Scholars to judges, justices, lawyers and academics who are actively involved in the issues.
When the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist came to Richmond Law, the Marshall Scholars had special opportunities to meet with him. When Justice Anthony Kennedy was the recipient of the John Marshall Foundation Medal in Law, Marshall Scholars were afforded the opportunity to meet and talk with him at a special reception at the home of Chief Justice John Marshall and a dinner thereafter. This spring, in conjunction with the Rule of Law Conference at the Law School, the scholars will enjoy a special luncheon with visiting jurists from Great Britain.
Student Stories
“The John Marshall Scholarship added a unique and valuable dimension to my law school experience. While the financial award enabled me to attend the university, the educational element of the program provided the opportunity to engage in relevant dialogue with prominent members of the legal community. Through studying the great legal minds of our nation's history, the Marshall program also reinforced the importance of the continual pursuit of integrity in our profession.”
Robin McVoy, L’ 07
“The opportunity to take part in the John Marshall Scholars program has been one of the best experiences that I've had while in law school. The program enables students to hear from professors and lawyers in the community about topics not covered in the regular classes, and also to take lessons learned in class and view them in a broader, real-world context. It really has been wonderful, and I feel very fortunate to have been a part of it.”
Briton Nelson, L ’07