Last year, the MCBA Legal Scholarship Fund awarded $19,000 to five deserving law students with a nexus to Marin County. Our partner 10,000 Degrees administers the application process and nominates the finalists for the MCBA Scholarship Committee to review and determine awardees. Marin Community Foundation manages the fund.

Our MCBA Legal Scholarship Fund drive continues. To those who gave generously at the event – we thank you. Your tax deductible donations make it possible for the next generation of law students to overcome the tremendous financial barriers to entry into the legal profession. Your donation provides:

• $1,000 toward $2,795 Bar Review Course
• $500 toward annual $1,500 law books and supplies
• $250 toward annual $75 health service and activity fees
• One billable hour $____ toward annual $44,000+ tuition

Two Ways to Donate:

• Write a check to 10,000 Degrees with MCBA Legal Scholarship in the memo line. Send to MCBA, 101 Lucas Valley Road, Suite 326, San Rafael, CA 94903. OR
• Donate online with a credit card: Link. Note: a 3% fee is charged for credit card transactions by Network for Good

The MCBA Scholarship Gala Program

Two of our scholarship recipients Dannielle Antone and Alexis Caligiuri poignantly addressed the gala guests. They expressed heartfelt gratitude and stressed the personal importance of the MCBA legal scholarship in their lives. Ann Munene, a past recipient and an attorney at Legal Aid of Marin, spoke eloquently about the impact of the scholarship and asked guests to contribute in the red envelopes, a symbolic Chinese gesture of giving to the next generation.

Who are the 2016-2017 MCBA Scholarship Recipients?

Dannielle Antone, 2L at UC Berkeley Law, attended Tamalpais High School and graduated from Pitzer College with an honor in economics. Her intended field is litigation. She is a first generation college graduate.
Highlights: She participated in a Consumer Rights Workshop (client intake and interviews); Clinic for low income clients; Fundraising for the Phoenix Scholarship at Berkeley Law Foundation to support minority students interested in pursuing public interest and served as Co-chair of Women of Color Collective. She has volunteered as intern at Legal Aid of Marin.

Alexis Caligiuri, 1L at UC Berkeley Law, attended Novato High School, and graduated from UC Davis making the Dean’s List. Her intended field is Technology Law and Public Interest.
Highlights: She served as Chief Justice of Associated Students court, as Senate staff for Miles Thomas. She was the Lead Social Scientist in charge of Integrated Human Practices, a volunteer at the LGBTQIA Resource Center, and interned with Marin County Public Defender’s office.

Jessica Luo, 1L at UC Berkeley Law, attended Redwood High School and graduated from UC Davis. She is a first generation college graduate.
Highlights: She served in Peace Corps in Mali West Africa (development) and has worked for the U.S. Dept of Justice for three years in the criminal white collar crime unit. She volunteered for St. James Church’s homeless shelter in NYC and serves on Board of Directors for African Sky, a non-profit in Mali.

Janeene Desare Iles, 2L at UC Hastings, attended San Rafael High School and graduated from UC Berkeley in 2013. She received an MCBA Legal Scholarship in 2015.
Highlights: Janeene was involved in Hastings to Haiti Partnership which explores structures of Haitian legal system and proposals for legal reform and access to justice. She served as 1L representative for Black Law Students Association and is a member of Ms JD and La Raza.

Victoria K. Vlahoyiannis, 3L at UC Hastings, attended Terra Linda High School and graduated from UC San Diego. She received an MCBA scholarship for 2014-2015 academic year.
Highlights: Victoria has volunteered over 200 hours in Marin and Berkeley. She serves as Student Coordinator for Academic Support Program at UC Hastings, and volunteered during tax season with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. In addition, she served as the Staff Editor for Hastings Law Journal, Senior Article Editors and serves on the Academic Regulations committee. She is a 3L Sacks Fellow and worked for SF Municipal Transit in the Contracts division and as a summer associate for Pillsbury.