Scholarships

The State Bar Criminal Justice Section offers scholarships for the following courses (please note the application due dates vary by course):

• 2026 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals: May 20-22, 2026, Austin
  CJS Application Due Date: April 18
• TCDLA 39th Annual Rusty Duncan Criminal Law Advanced Seminar: June 18-20, 2026, San Antonio
  CJS Application Due Date: April 18
• SBOT Criminal Law 101 Course: July 26, 2026, Houston
  CJS Application Due Date: May 26
• 52nd Advanced Criminal Law Course: July 27-30, 2026, The Westin Galleria, Houston
  CJS Application Due Date: May 26
• TDCAA Annual Criminal and Civil Law Update: September 16-18, 2026, Waco
  CJS Application Due Date: July 16

Award Amount
TCDLA Annual Rusty Duncan Criminal Law Advanced Seminar: $1,055 (up to)

All others: $1,500 (up to)

Responsibility for Course Registration Fees
The TDCLA registration fee for awardees will be paid directly to TCDLA by the CJS.

All other course registration fees shall be paid directly by the awardee to the course provider.

Application Requirements

• Include one letter of recommendation from another lawyer in good standing with the State Bar of Texas (email documents at the end of the application).
  
• You must be a current member of the Criminal Justice Section to apply or must join when submitting an application. If you are not a member, you can join here.

• Preference will be given to lawyers licensed for 5 years or less and to those who have not received the CJS scholarship in the past three years.

• Applications must be complete at the time of submission. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Scholarships can be used for course registration, travel expenses, and lodging.

Reimbursement Information

• Reimbursement requests MUST be made using the Scholarship form provided by the State Bar Criminal Justice Section, no later than 30 days after attending the course.  Requests submitted after 30 days may not be eligible for reimbursement.
  
• The SBOT CJS Scholarship form will be provided in the award email notification.

Caveat
Awardees are eligible for only one scholarship (for one course).

Questions?
Scholarships and Grants:
Audrey Moorehead, Chair
E-mail