The application period for the 2026 Award is now open.
The Ilene and Michael Shaw Younger Lawyer Public Service Grant enables chapters to provide service to the public through the development and implementation of public service projects and pro bono law-related services. In order to encourage an increased and continued commitment to public service responsibility by young lawyers, these projects should be administered under the auspices of a chapter Younger Lawyers Committee. Younger lawyers are those under the age of 40 or those admitted to practice less than 10 years.
One chapter will be selected to receive a $10,000 grant. All chapters are encouraged to apply, even if they do not presently have a Younger Lawyers Committee. However, chapters without existing Younger Lawyers Committees will be required to establish one in order to administer the grant.
Applications and proposals will be evaluated on a number of factors, including, but not limited to:
- Viability and potential value of the service to the affected community;
- Likelihood that the service will promote increased young lawyer commitment;
- Chapter need for grant funds to cover start-up or expansion costs;
- Size and location of chapter;
- Likelihood that the project may become ongoing in nature; and
- Whether or not similar projects are currently being provided by other bar associations within geographic proximity of the chapter.
A proposal addressing each of the following must be submitted:
- How your chapter’s project will meet the goals of providing service to the public and encouraging increased and continued commitment to public service by your chapter’s younger lawyers.
- Describe the project objectives in detail and how the project will achieve those objectives. Explain how the project fits into your chapter’s organizational structure and how you plan to evaluate the project’s effectiveness.
- State whether community endorsement, approval, support, or involvement has been secured.
- If the activities of other bar associations in your vicinity have been surveyed regarding similar projects, what were the results.
- If other funding has been secured to implement the project, describe the secured amount.
A panel of judges will evaluate the applications and proposals and select the recipient chapter. Projects will be monitored by the national FBA Younger Lawyers Division. The winning chapter will be required to provide a report on project progress at the National Council Midyear Meeting. There is no limitation to the number of applications a chapter can submit; each application constitutes a proposal for a specific project.
If you have any questions regarding this application, please contact awards@fedbar.org.
2026 award applications are due May 15.
Please fill out the following fields in full and upload all supporting documents.