Application Deadline: October 22nd at 5 pm
The Yamashita Scholarship is named after Takuji Yamashita (1874–1959). Mr. Yamashita was born in Japan and emigrated to the United States in the 1890s. He graduated from Tacoma High School in two years, graduated with a law degree from the University of Washington as a part of its second-ever graduating class, and passed the state bar exam. However, in processing his bar application, the Washington State Supreme Court issued a decision that Mr. Yamashita was not eligible to be an American citizen and, therefore, could not practice law. This decision was overturned, posthumously, nearly 100 years later on March 1, 2001.
The Sharon A. Sakamoto President’s Scholarship is named after Sharon Sakamoto, ABAW’s first President (and one if its founders) in 1988. In law school, Ms. Sakamoto was a part of the legal team for Gordon Hirabayashi, a Japanese American convicted of civil disobedience during World War II. Ms. Sakamoto is now retired, but her prior law practice at Aoki Sakamoto Grant emphasized justice and equality and meeting the needs of clients in the areas of business, estate planning, immigration, and criminal defense. In addition to being active in local and minority bar associations, she has served on the board of Kawabe Memorial House and many other organizations.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a scholarship, you must be a law student of Asian heritage, currently enrolled in a law school in the State of Washington, and pursuing a J.D. degree. The following materials are required to apply for the scholarships:
- A copy of your résumé;
- Evidence of your current enrollment at an American Bar Association accredited law school in the State of Washington (acceptable evidence includes an unofficial law school transcript or, for first year law students, a class schedule provided by the law school);
- A personal statement, no longer than 1,000 words, describing your contributions to the Asian Pacific Islander (“API”) community and your plans to continue contributing to the API community following graduation from law school; and
- Two (2) references (their name, relationship to you, email, and phone number).
All application materials must be e-mailed to scholarship@abaw.org no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, October 22, 2021. Applications must be in either .PDF or Microsoft Word format.
Benefit
The Asian Bar Association of Washington Student Scholarship Foundation (“ABAWSSF”) provides financial assistance in the form of scholarships to students of Asian heritage currently pursuing a J.D. degree at law schools in the State of Washington. For 2021, ABAWSSF will award five scholarships in the following amounts:
- Yamashita Scholarship – $7,500
- Sharon A. Sakamoto President’s Scholarship – $5,000
- ABAWSSF General Scholarship – $2,500
- ABAWSSF General Scholarship – $2,500
- ABAWSSF General Scholarship – $2,500
Official Website: The Asian Bar Association of Washington Student Scholarship Foundation (ABAW) Student Scholarship Foundation
