Marshall-Motley

Scholars Program

Update 2026-2027 

The Marshall-Motley Scholars Program was launched with the ground-breaking mission to identify and develop the next generation of civil rights attorneys who would advocate for Black communities in the South. At this critical juncture, the Program has successfully reached its milestone of welcoming 50 Scholars committed to this pursuit of racial justice.  

 Since 2021, Marshall-Motley Scholars have held high-ranking positions in nationally recognized organizations, been selected for competitive law reviews and other academic journals, completed prominent clerkships, and received recognition for their commitment to racial justice and advocacy through their internship and fellowship experiences.  

Having achieved its goal of supporting 50 Scholars and following a pause in new cohort recruitment during the 2025-2026 academic year, the Program will continue to invest in its existing Scholars, supporting their ongoing growth and professional development while evaluating the successes, impact, and lessons learned from the Program's launch and implementation. As part of this continued assessment, we will not be accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Please continue to monitor the website for updates regarding the Program’s extension. On behalf of the Legal Defense Fund and the Marshall-Motley Scholars Program, thank you for your ongoing support and your unwavering commitment to racial justice and equity.