As with many other grant opportunities this year, The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division is offering new Affiliate Outreach Conference grants. Affiliates are eligible to submit and present at AOC (in person) one out of the three grant opportunities described below. Affiliates are not eligible to receive grant funds for more than one of the three grant opportunities identified below. As such, please select and apply for only one grant opportunity by or before 5 pm on Friday, January 31, 2025.
Events and programs submitted for these grants must relate to the practice of law, e.g., how the event or program improves the practice of law in Florida. The Young Lawyers Division does not fund projects that, in the sole discretion of the YLD, do not relate to the profession and the practice of law. For instance, simply organizing a non-legal community service related event or directly providing donations (other than as it relates to legal services) to a non-profit in your community, will not fall within the scope of any of the grants below. Failure to follow the requirements may result in rescission of the grants and may affect consideration of any future applications for grants. Affiliates are encouraged to reach out to the Grant Committee Chairs throughout the application process to ensure their programs satisfy all requirements.
In the past, the Florida Bar YLD has awarded affiliates as much as $5,000.00, although typical awards range from $500.00 to $1,500.00. The submission of a grant application does not guarantee the receipt of award money. Award decisions are at the sole discretion of the YLD Board of Governors.
In order to be eligible for an award, an Affiliate must present its grant at the 2025 Affiliate Outreach Conference. Additionally, each Affiliate seeking grant funds must designate at least one (1) Affiliate Representative, who is required to register for and attend the following events Council of Affiliates/Think Tank on Friday and the General Session/Professionalism Showcase on Saturday. An Affiliate that applies for an AOC Grant but does not have at least one Affiliate Representative register and attend the required AOC events will be deemed ineligible to receive grant funds. (**AOC Grants are not available for law school affiliates).
AOC Grant Opportunity 1
Diamond CLE Grant Project
Deadline: Friday, January 31, 2025
The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division (YLD) invites Affiliates to apply for the Diamond CLE Project grant, a funding opportunity designed to support Affiliates committed to delivering high-quality legal education for young lawyers. This grant aims to enhance the professional and substantive development of young lawyers. Projects should foster a deeper understanding of legal principles, improve the delivery of legal services, or equip young lawyers with tools for professional success.
The proposed project should align with the following goals:
- Educate young lawyers on a specific area of law, including changes in the law (e.g., offer practical materials, toolkits, or reference guides related to a substantive or procedural legal issue.); or
- Provide practical guidance in the legal profession; or
- Create opportunities for career advancement and skill-building for young lawyers.
AOC Grant Opportunity 2
Pro Bono Legal Services and Access to Justice Grant Project
Deadline: Friday, January 31, 2025
The Young Lawyers Division invites Affiliates to develop a program or event that makes legal services more accessible in your respective communities. In so doing, you will join the ongoing initiative of providing increased access to justice. The ideal pro bono legal services focused program:
- Connects members of the community to legal aid services organization, or
- Provides legal documents to members of the community that they might otherwise not be able to secure elsewhere, or
- Facilitates members of the community satisfying their legal obligations, or
- Trains your members how to render legal aid at a pro bono clinic or in another pro bono setting.
The opportunities are endless, as you craft a program that brings a better understanding of the law to others. As a bonus, volunteering at an event within these parameters may give your YLD members an opportunity to perform hours towards satisfying their pro bono reporting requirement!
AOC Grant Opportunity 3
Spring Forward with Ethics & Professionalism Grant Project
Deadline: Friday, January 31, 2025
The Young Lawyers Division invites Affiliates to apply for the Spring Forward with Ethics & Professionalism grant. This grant is designed to support and encourage young lawyers to exercise the highest levels of professional integrity in their relationships with their clients, other lawyers, the courts, and the public and to fulfill their obligations to improve the law and the legal system and to ensure access to that system. This grant is also intended to support meaningful discussions on ethics and/or professionalism, including reflecting on past challenges and wrongs in the legal profession, and how we can collectively move forward with a renewed commitment to professionalism in the practice of law. Whether it’s a panel-style event followed by a Q&A or a true roundtable with different topics, the program should encourage candid conversations on improving standards. With professionalism encompassing various aspects of legal practice, your event can be tailored to address topics such as “Courtroom Etiquette,” “Gamesmanship in Litigation,” or “Client Confidentiality Issues.” As we spring into the new year, this initiative aims to cultivate a culture of continuous professional growth, ethical awareness, and accountability among emerging legal practitioners.