LEAP: Legal Elite Athlete Pipeline Scholarship Program

From the sports arena to the legal field

Program

The Goal

DLA Piper is seeking exceptional student athletes wishing to pursue a career in the legal profession after college graduation. We believe that student athletes have what it takes to succeed in law school and as lawyers – focus, drive, ambition, grit, and a team mindset. Our goal is to support the next generation of successful lawyers, with an emphasis on improving the diversity of our profession, and providing opportunities to students who might otherwise not have considered a career in law. Through the LEAP Scholarship program, DLA Piper is helping student athletes take the leap from athletics to law.

The Program

Each year, DLA Piper will select collegiate student athletes who have participated in at least 2 years of a competitive intercollegiate athletic program. Students selected for LEAP will receive ready access to top legal professionals who can advise on the students’ career path and the opportunity to forge connections with legal mentors. In addition, chosen students will be offered financial scholarships:

$1,000 intended for undergraduate or law school tuition, fee or course-related expenses

$5,000 law school scholarship to an ABA-accredited law school

Download

Click here for full program details

Application

The Application

Candidates must submit the following for consideration: resume and personal statement, an unofficial school transcript, and two letters of recommendation.

In the statement, the candidate is encouraged to focus on any personal growth experiences or lessons that the candidate has learned as a result of the candidate’s background, upbringing, experiences, socioeconomic status, or inclusion in an underrepresented community.

Candidates who meet the application requirements will be invited to answer a series of questions via recorded video. Once all video responses are reviewed, the top candidates will be notified to schedule a live video interview.

The application process for 2024 is closed. Please check back this Spring for updated application details.

Apply now

Resources

About DLA Piper

About us

Our Media, Sport and Entertainment sector

About the legal industry

Legal Mentor Network

Forbes article: Is law school right for you?

Advertising Disclosures

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY. Must be at least 18 years old or the age of majority in state of residence (whichever is greater), enrolled as 3^rd+ year of undergraduate studies at accredited college or university, have min. 3.2 GPA, and have participated in at least 2 years of a competitive intercollegiate athletic program offered by an accredited college or university to participate. To participate, complete and submit the online form, resume, personal statement, unofficial school transcript and 2 letters of recommendation between 10/1/2023 and 12/1/2023. Ten recipients will each receive a $1000 undergraduate scholarship, a $5000 law school scholarship towards a law school of the applicant’s choosing, and up to 4 years of mentoring (ARV $6000). Odds of being selected for a scholarship depend on the number of eligible submissions received. Sponsor: DLA Piper LLP (US). Full terms available at [LEAP Terms]. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

The LEAP Scholarship Program is a continuing scholarship program sponsored by DLA Piper LLP (US), which is not an athletic association, team, or organization that conducts athletics. DLA Piper LLP (US) has no direct connection or affiliation with any particular university or college. Scholarship Recipients are free to select any ABA-accredited US law school. Scholarships are not awarded based upon, nor contingent upon, the applicant's or Scholarship Recipient's athletic performance or abilities.