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• SCCLA NLSLA Clinic 2026 Intake Completion Form (FOR VOLUNTEERS, NOT ATTENDEES)

  • Start
    01/21/2026
  •  
    6:00 PM
  • End
    12/16/2026
  •  
    11:30 PM

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• 2026 SCCLA Scholarship & Fellowship Application

  • Start
    02/04/2026
  •  
    10:00 AM
  • End
    03/20/2026
  •  
    5:00 PM

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  SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHINESE LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

  2026 SCHOLARSHIP/FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION

  APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 5:00 P.M. (PST), FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026

  The Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (SCCLA) supports the next generation of leaders by awarding annual scholarships and fellowships to law students who have demonstrated their commitment to advancing the Chinese American and/or broader Asian Pacific American (“APA”) community. SCCLA invites current law students (including LLM students and current 1Ls) and law school graduates from the class of 2026 to apply. 

  The Scholarship & Fellowship recipients are awarded at SCCLA’s Annual Installation and Awards Banquet held on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Unfortunately, SCCLA does not subsidize travel for scholarship and fellowship recipients, including those who live out-of-town. If you are selected to receive an award, you must attend the Banquet and stay through the program duration from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

  SCCLA Scholarships are awarded based on (1) financial need, (2) academic accomplishments, and/or (3) active involvement and/or expected future contribution to the Chinese-American and/or APA community, particularly in Southern California. Law students at all levels are encouraged to apply. There is no clerkship requirement for Scholarships. 

  SCCLA Fellowships fund externships at qualifying non-profit organizations or governmental entities (i.e., judicial externships). To apply for a fellowship award, the applicant must meet all requirements at the time of application, including completing a minimum of 150 hours/semester at a non-profit organization or governmental entity. See below for additional Fellowship requirements and guidelines. 

  To be considered for a SCCLA Scholarship and/or a SCCLA Fellowship, please complete this application and submit your resume and a law school transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable). Students will be notified by email whether they received a Scholarship or Fellowship award during the week of March 23rd. If you are selected to receive an award, you must confirm your in-person attendance at the 2026 Annual Installation and Awards Banquet within the deadline prescribed and provide a short student bio and headshot to be included in the Awards Program Booklet. If you are unable to confirm your in-person attendance or are unable to attend in-person, SCCLA reserves the right to retract your award and give it to another student who can confirm their in-person attendance.

  For questions, email scholarships@sccla.org

  SCCLA FELLOWSHIP

  To be considered for a SCCLA Fellowship, you must complete a minimum of 150 hours working at a non-profit organization or governmental entity (e.g., judicial clerkships) based in Southern California by the time of submitting your application. Areas may include but are not limited to: domestic violence, immigration, litigation, elder law, disability law, homelessness prevention, and other areas relating to advocacy for social justice, assistance with low income individuals and families, or beneficial impact Asian Pacific American communities.

  Examples of previously awarded SCCLA Fellows include interns or externs at: Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, Children’s Law Center of California, Public Counsel, California Attorney General’s Office, U.S. District Court Central District of California, and Unite Here Local 11, to name a few.

  In addition to the application, Fellowship applicants must submit their: (1) resume, (2) law school transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable), and (3) verification of completed fellowship hours completed by their supervisor.

  Requirements and Guidelines

  1. A qualifying non-profit organization must be a southern California 501(c)(3) organization that provides free or low-cost legal services for low-income individuals and families. 

  2. A governmental entity includes the district attorney, public defender, city attorney, and other federal, state, or local agencies.

  3. Fellows are expected to work 150 hours per semester (minimum of 15 hours per week for at least 10 weeks) by the time of submitting their application. 

  4. Fellowship applicants must submit verification of hours worked from the non-profit organization or governmental entity using the attached certification form.

  5. Up to four separate fellowships will be awarded per year. A previous fellowship recipient can apply for a subsequent fellowship, so long as all requirements are additionally met for the subsequent fellowship.   

  6. A student can apply for both a Scholarship and a Fellowship, as long as all requirements are met. Please indicate in the application that you are applying for both.

  7. Selected fellows may also use their Fellowship to receive academic credit so long as expressly permitted by their school.

  8. If the position at the non-profit organization or governmental entity is paid, such as through grants or stipends, please disclose the amount received in the application below. 

  9. Potential candidates may be contacted if there are multiple eligible applicants. Once selected, a fellow may be further interviewed by the Scholarship Committee and/or Fellowship donor.

  10. Selected fellows must attend SCCLA’s Annual Installation and Awards Banquet and stay through the program duration from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

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• SCCLA NLSLA Legal Clinic March 2026 | Volunteer Registration

  • When
    03/18/2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

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  Join Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association ("SCCLA") and Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County ("NLSLA") for our monthly virtual pro bono legal clinic every third Wednesday of the month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  
  Attorneys, paralegals, interpreters, law school students, and community members welcome. All language abilities welcome.
  
  Litigants will speak with licensed attorneys on the phone and obtain general information on a variety of issues in English or Chinese (including Mandarin and Cantonese).
  
  Subject areas include the following areas of law: family, immigration, business, employment, criminal, real estate, estate planning, probate, bankruptcy, consumer, intellectual property, and international (dealing specifically with China or Hong Kong).
  
  Computer and telephone access required. A brief introduction and orientation will occur at the start of the clinic.

  
  

  If this is your first time volunteering for the clinic, please fill out this form.

  
  

  For additional questions, please contact legalclinic@sccla.org and BernadetteManigault@nlsla.org.

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• SCCLA NLSLA Clinic March 2026 Intake Sheet | Litigant

  • When
    03/18/2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

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• CAPAJA-SCCLA Webinar: Civil Voir Dire and CCP 231.7

  • When
    03/25/2026
  •  
    11:45 AM
  • Location
    via Zoom (see link in the confirmation email)

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  The Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (SCCLA), in partnership with CAPAJA, invites you to a timely and informative webinar on Civil Voir Dire and CCP 231.7.

  This program will examine recent amendments to Code of Civil Procedure section 231.7 and their impact on civil jury trials. Panelists will discuss the scope of the changes, practical considerations for litigators, and how these developments may shape voir dire strategy moving forward.

  This program will be presented virtually via Zoom and offers 1.0 hour of General MCLE credit. SCCLA is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider.

  Join us on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 11:45 a.m. PT for this important discussion.

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• SCCLA Young Lawyers Group Kick-Off Event

  • When
    03/28/2026
  •  
    11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    2301 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica 90404
  • Spaces left
    22

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  Join SCCLA’s Young Lawyers Group (YLG) for our Kick-Off Event on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Jade Rabbit in Santa Monica.

  This casual luncheon is a great opportunity to connect with fellow young attorneys, build community, and learn more about YLG programming for the year ahead. Whether you’re new to SCCLA or looking to get more involved, we welcome you to join us for good food and great company.

  YLG is open to SCCLA members who are 39 years of age or younger or who have been in legal practice for 10 years or less, whichever is more inclusive.

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• SCCLA's 51st Anniversary Installation & Awards Banquet

  • When
    04/09/2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites. 404 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90071

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  You are cordially invited to SCCLA's
  51st Anniversary Installation & Awards Banquet!

  
  

  

  
  

  This year, we are thrilled to celebrate the following honorees, who have made inspiring contributions to the legal profession and beyond:  

  
  

  Kent Wong (1959-2025)

  Former Director of the UCLA Labor Center

  Lifetime Achievement Award

  
  

  Hon. Elaine Lu

  Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court

  Judicial Service Award

  
  

  The Fred T. Korematsu Center

  for Law and Equality

  Community Leader Award

  By registering for this event, you grant SCCLA the right to photograph, film, and use your likeness and voice in SCCLA-related publicity and advertising. In addition, by registering for this event, you agree to comply with and abide by SCCLA's Code of Conduct. We thank you for your cooperation.

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