Scholarships
Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than one million
dollars in scholarships to deserving law students attending UCLA, USC,
Loyola, Pepperdine, and Southwestern law schools. Today prominent lawyers,
judges, legislators, and community leaders stand among the ranks of
scholarship recipients.
The Foundation is expanding its law school scholarship program to
outstanding students from other area law schools. Recently, the Foundation
initiated an innovative program of "bridge loans" for graduating law
students to assist them with living expenses while preparing for the
California Bar Exam.
 Kevin
Murray,
California State Senator
"I am tremendously grateful to the Beverly Hills Bar Foundation for the
scholarship and opportunity that were given to me while I was a student at
Loyola Law School. The Foundation has contributed greatly to my career and
I wish them continued success."
Legal Literacy & Preventive
Law
The Foundation seeks to promote public understanding and confidence in the
rule of law, the role of lawyers, and the judiciary, with a primary focus
upon legal literacy and preventive law. Through grants to law-related
education programs the Foundation helps to educate the public about legal
rights and responsibilities. These nationally recognized programs have
become models for bar associations and bar foundations across the nation.
The Blue Car Project-Youth
Education
Established in 1990 based upon the concept of the late Louis M. Brown,
nationally recognized as the father of preventive law, the Blue Car
Project stimulates high school students to think about the impact of law
in their lives. With funding from the Foundation, lawyer volunteers from
the Beverly Hills Bar Association have used the purchase, ownership, and
operation of an old blue Chevy as the central theme to teach fundamental
legal principles to thousands of students in area schools.
Citizens Law School-Adult
Education
Another preventive law project established in 1990, the Citizens Law
School provides adults of all ages with practical information and
materials concerning their legal rights and options on such topics as
family law, landlord and tenant law, and estate planning. Funded by the
Foundation and presented annually by lawyer volunteers from the Beverly
Hills Bar Association, the Citizens Law School is free to the general
public.
Community Service
In addition to promoting public education, the Foundation also funds pro
bono community service projects benefiting youth, families, and seniors.
Roxbury Park Seniors Legal
Clinic
West Los Angeles is home to more than 350,000 seniors, nearly 10% of the
area's population. Recognizing the special legal issues facing seniors,
the Foundation funds the monthly Roxbury Park Pro Bono Seniors Legal
Clinic. Conceived in 1993 and staffed by volunteers from the Barristers
division of the Beverly Hills Bar Association, this program provides
seniors with helpful materials and information, as well as an opportunity
to receive free one-on-one legal advice.
Thriving in Splitsville Project
Created in 2001, the Thriving in Splitsville Project is a free, day-long
education and community service program open to the public. In both
seminar and workshop settings, participants learn about the legal and
mental health issues that commonly arise in divorce, as well as the impact
of divorce upon children. This innovative program-an instant
success-recently attracted more than 200 members of the Los Angeles
community.
 Stewart
Kwoh,
Executive Director, Asian Pacific American Legal Center
"I very much appreciate the support and encouragement I received
from the Beverly Hills Bar Foundation. The Foundation's expression of
confidence in me helped give me the courage and confidence to establish
the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, which is today the largest
provider of legal services to low income Asian Pacific Americans in the
United States."
Grantmaking
The Foundation has funded programs for and made grants to organizations
that support and facilitate the Foundation's mission. Recipients include:
Scholarships Grants to students attending:
UCLA
School of Law
USC School of Law
Loyola Law School
Pepperdine University School of Law
Southwestern University School of Law
Legal Literacy & Preventive Law Grants
Blue Car Project presented at
Beverly Hills High School
Culver City High School
Palisades Charter High School
Santa Monica High School
University High School
Citizens Law School
Culver City Middle School Peer Mediation Project
Community Service Grants
Barristers' Roxbury Park Seniors
Pro Bono Legal Clinic
Thriving in Splitsville Project
Public Counsel
Mental Health Advocacy Services
Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law
The Los Angeles Superior Court's Family Law Division-Pro Se Assistance
Program
INFO LINE of Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Superior Court Family Law
Information Center
Supporters
The Foundation's tradition of excellence in law-related education and
community service is supported by annual dues contributions from Beverly
Hills Bar Association members, as well as additional gifts from
Association members, law firms, colleagues, friends, and supporters. The
Foundation receives further funding from proceeds of popular annual events
of the Beverly Hills Bar Association, including the Installation & Awards
Dinner, the Supreme Court Luncheon, the Barristers' Vintage Bouquet
Charity Wine, Art & Travel Auction, and the BHBA/USC Entertainment Law
Institute.
The FELLOWS of the Foundation
The Foundation also receives generous financial support from the
Foundation FELLOWS, who have committed to make significant annual
contributions to further the Foundation's mission. Conceived by Louis Fox,
former Executive Director of the Beverly Hills Bar Association, and
initiated in 1997, the FELLOWS program plays an essential role in the
Foundation's efforts to encourage philanthropy in the legal profession and
to maintain its tradition of excellence in law-related education and
community service.
 Antonia
Hernandez,
President and CEO, California Community Foundation, Los Angeles,
California
Former President & General Counsel, Mexican American Legal
Defense & Educational Fund
"The scholarship from the Beverly Hills Bar Foundation not only helped me
personally, but it also helped me access a whole new group of legal
scholars, lawyers and judges within the legal profession. "
A TRADITION
OF EXCELLENCE
Make a Difference
The Foundation's award-winning support of youth, families, and seniors
depends upon the generous contributions of people throughout the legal
profession and the larger philanthropic community. Friends of the
Foundation who are interested in supporting its mission can do so by:
Becoming a Foundation FELLOW-annual contribution levels range from $100 to
$10,000
Serving as a volunteer leader on the Foundation's governing board or its
fundraising committee
Recommending the Foundation to prospective donors for present, future, or
testamentary gifts
Assisting the Foundation in securing grants from community foundations,
private family foundations, or other charitable organizations
Volunteering to host or co-sponsor a special event
Underwriting the cost of Foundation programs, projects, or materials
Making a "Tribute Gift" to recognize an esteemed lawyer, colleague, or
family member
Endowing a scholarship
Making a voluntary dues contribution to the Foundation along with the
annual
Beverly Hills Bar Association dues
Attending and/or contributing to annual Beverly Hills Bar Association
events
that benefit the Foundation's mission
To contact the Foundation or
send contributions:
Beverly Hills Bar Foundation
300 South Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 601-2450
The Beverly Hills Bar Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt organization
under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Contributions to the
Foundation are tax deductible for federal income tax and estate tax
purposes to the maximum extent permitted by law.
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