Scholarship Applications

The Travis County Women Lawyers Association (TCWLA) Scholarship Fund, Inc. serves as an umbrella for scholarships that go to law students who may have had to struggle a little harder to get where they are. The Scholarship Fund presently awards the following scholarships: Press the “+” sign to expand and learn more about each scholarship.

We are accepting applications now, please complete the form and submit your application. Application deadline is 5 pm on Friday February 14. Please email us at tcwlasf@gmail.com with any questions.

The Margaret Cooper Scholarship was founded in 2008 to honor the many years of service of 353rd Judicial District Judge Margaret Cooper. Judge Cooper retired from the Travis County district bench on December 31, 2008, after several decades of service.

Throughout her career, Judge Cooper has been known for her intelligence, her integrity, and her preparedness. She was the only Travis County district judge who was board-certified in the area of administrative law. The scholarship in her name is awarded annually to the University of Texas Law School applicant who best demonstrates perseverance in the face of adversity, financial need, and community service.

Applications for the scholarship are available each spring, with interviews and presentation of awards occurring soon thereafter.

The Ann Forman Scholarship was created in 2012 to honor attorney Ann Dinsmore Forman.  Ann died on January 28, 2010 after a long and brave battle against breast cancer.  She was a highly recognized Assistant District Attorney for Travis County, devoting her career to the protection of abused and neglected children.

The Ann Forman Scholarship is awarded annually to a 2nd or 3rd-year law student attending the UT School of Law.  The scholarship committee considers each candidate’s interest and aptitude in child welfare law, related community service, and financial need.

Applications for the scholarship are available each spring, with interviews and presentation of awards occurring soon thereafter.

The Lora Livingston Scholarship was created in 2023 to honor the 27 years of service on the bench of Judge Lora J. Livingston.  Judge Livingston served as judge of the 261st District Court of Travis County, Texas from 1998 through 2022.  Prior to becoming judge of the 261st District Court, Judge Livingston was an Associate Judge, District Courts of Travis County, from 1995-1998.  Judge Livingston is a proponent of pro bono activities and has served on the Board of Volunteer Legal Services in Austin.  She has also served on numerous other boards, including those of the Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation, the National Center on Women and Family Law, the Judicial Section of the State Bar of Texas, and the Texas Center for the Judiciary.

The Lora Livingston Scholarship is awarded annually to a woman of African descent attending the University of Texas School of Law.  The recipient should demonstrate a commitment to her community, a passion for access to justice, be involved in pro bono and public service activities, and should exemplify servant-leadership.

Applications for the scholarship are available each spring, with interviews and presentation of awards occurring soon thereafter.

The Ana Mejia-Dietche Scholarship was established in memory of former Travis County Women Lawyers Association president Ana Mejia-Dietche, who fought a valiant battle against ovarian cancer before passing away on February 24, 2024.  Ana took her undergraduate degree at Yale and graduated from Catholic University School of Law in 1988.  Her legal employment history included Legal Aid and the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C., after which she moved to nonprofit management and grant writing.  The latter led her to a grant writing instructor position at Austin Community College.  Ana served as the director of the Healthcare Workforce Alliance of Central Texas, where she worked tirelessly to help aspiring nurses to receive their degrees and go on to accept positions where they could play pivotal healthcare roles in their communities.  She also served on numerous nonprofit boards that focused on women and law, women’s history, family violence, and children.

Applications for the scholarship are available each spring, with interviews and presentation of awards occurring soon thereafter.

The Orlinda Naranjo Scholarship was created in 2023 to honor the years of service on the bench of Judge Orlinda Naranjo.  Judge Naranjo served as judge of the 419th District Court of Travis County, Texas between 2006 and 2018.  Prior to her election to the District Court, Judge Naranjo served as judge of Travis County Court at Law No. 2 from 1994 to 2006.  Among many other achievements, Judge Naranjo served as a Commissioner on the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct from 2013 to 2018, was Master and former President of the Robert Calvert Chapter (Austin) of the American Inns of Court, and was a District Director for the National Association of Women Judges.

The Orlinda Naranjo Scholarship is awarded annually to a Latinx woman attending the University of Texas School of Law.  The recipient should show financial need and a history of involvement in the Latinx community, with a demonstrated commitment in the areas of social and economic justice.  The scholarship committee also considers the future intentions of the applicants and their perseverance in overcoming adversity, such as being a single parent.

Applications for the scholarship are available each spring, with interviews and presentation of awards occurring soon thereafter.

THE APPLICATION MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE 5PM ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025.