The Chicago-based family law practice Merel Family Law has announced a $5,000 merit scholarship program for undergraduate students demonstrating academic excellence and commitment to pursuing family law careers. The Merel Future of Chicago Family Law Scholarship aims to support promising students who plan to focus on family law after graduating from law school. Eligibility requirements include maintaining good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher. Preferred applicants are those who intend to enroll in law school with the specific goal of practicing family law upon graduation.
The scholarship program seeks candidates who can demonstrate how they plan to use their legal training to support families and individuals navigating complex family law matters. Applicants must submit a comprehensive application package including a current academic resume, official transcript, and a 1,000-word essay explaining their motivation for pursuing family law and what inspired their academic goals. The essay should reflect the applicant's ability to balance legal insight with compassion for clients facing deeply personal legal situations.
The scholarship initiative comes at a time when specialized family law practitioners are increasingly needed to handle sensitive matters including divorce, child custody, and domestic relations cases. By investing in future legal professionals, the program aims to cultivate attorneys who can provide both expert legal guidance and empathetic client support. All application materials must be received by August 31, 2026, providing students ample time to prepare their submissions. The scholarship represents a significant investment in the next generation of family law practitioners and reflects the growing recognition of the specialized skills required in this area of legal practice.
