SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Relationship with the Hispanic Lawyers Associations of Illinois (“HLAI”)

There is no legal relationship to HLAI, however, both organizations view each other as sister organizations. In fact, members of HLSF’s Board have been members of HLAI’s Board, and a number of HLAI’s past presidents serve on HLSF’s Board of Trustees.

Governance Structure
There are currently nineteen trustees that comprise the HLSF Board.

How Funds Are Raised to Support HLSF
Law firms, corporations and individuals underwrite our scholarships and fellowships which have ranged from $3,000 to $5,000. HLSF also provides funds as needed from the proceeds of our annual awards reception.

Summer Fellowships
HLSF has also worked with the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Chicago Legal Clinic, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Cook County Public Defenders’ Office, the National Labor Relations Board and National Immigrant Justice Center to provide Latino law students with summer fellowships. HLSF underwrites the cost of the students’ summer stipend. During the summer of 2017, HLSF placed students at the National Labor Relations Board Region 13 and the YMCA.

Scholarship and Fellowship Selection Criteria
Latino law students may apply for HLSF scholarships and fellowships, which are awarded on the basis of academic achieve-
ment, financial need, commitment to the Latino community, essays, and a letter of recommendation. Applicants are also interviewed by an HLSF Selection Committee.

Operating Costs
HLSF has minimal operating expenses. Nearly every dollar raised goes directly toward funding the scholarships and fellowships. Administering the selection process and awards reception is time intensive and organized by the Board on a voluntary basis.

HLSF’s Contributions to the Latino Community
HLSF allows concerned organizations and individuals in the Chicagoland area a mechanism to help Latino law students and provide them the financial support they often need to become lawyers. HLSF is especially proud of its past scholarship recipients who have gone on to become leaders of the organized Latino bar and in other organizations that help the Latino community. It is tangible evidence of the impact of HLSF’s efforts. In an even shorter time frame, HLSF Summer Fellows work to provide legal services at agencies/clinics that serve the Latino community. Without HLSF’s funding there would be fewer Latino students serving the legal needs of the Chicago Latino community.

Although HLSF is only twenty-three years old, it has granted tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships and fellowships to deserving students, many of whom have become active members of HLAI. For example, our current Chair, Cristina Nutzman, is a past scholarship recipient. Many current and prior Board members such as Karina Ayala-Bermejo, Jose Lopez, Barbara Flores, Luiz Lozada, and Marlen Cortez are past scholarship recipients. In addition, many past recipients have become active in HLAI. They are proof that HLSF makes a difference in our community.