Academic awards

An array of merit scholarships and awards are available for Wayne Law students. Incoming J.D. students are automatically considered for merit and other scholarships once they file the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Limited scholarships are available for continuing J.D. students and LL.M. students. International students (including LL.M. students who are international students) should contact the Law School's Scholarship Office for information about applying for scholarships and awards.

The Scholarship Office can be reached at waynelawscholarship@wayne.edu or call (313) 577-3996.


David Adamany Endowed Constitutional Law Scholar Award

  • This award, funded by an endowment established with gifts from university President Emeritus David Adamany, is made to law students who are outstanding scholars in constitutional law. 

Donald E. Barris Trial Competition Awards

  • These awards, established by the law firm of Barris Sott Denn and Driker in memory of Donald E. Barris, '40, are given to the best teams in the Mock Trial (formerly Student Trial Advocacy Program) fall and winter competitions.

Bockoff and Mall Endowed Scholarship

  • This scholarship was established by the law firm of Bockoff and Mall, through Richard A. Bockoff '66, and Sanford Mall '96. It is awarded to J.D. students who are outstanding scholars in trusts, estate planning, or estate and gift taxation.

Brass Ring Endowed Scholarship

  • This $1,000 award was created by Wayne Law class of 1998 alumnae Dianna Collins, Marcy, Hahn, Stacey King, Samantha Lord and Mary Margaret O'Donnell in honor of their enduring friendship. It is awarded to a first-year law student in good standing to provide financial assistance and to inspire all students to value friendship, strive to live life to its fullest potential and aspire to achieve their own brass ring, whatever form that may take.

Patrick J. Burkett Memorial Endowed Scholarship

  • Established in memory of Patrick J. Burkett '81, this award is presented to the top first-year law student in the Legal Research and Writing course. Donors to the scholarship include Sommers Schwartz Silver Schwartz Foundations; shareholders and employees of Sommers Schwartz Silver Schwartz PC; and family and friends.

Cynthia B. Faulhaber Endowed Scholarship

  • This scholarship, established by Cynthia Faulhaber '82, is awarded to the editor-in-chief of The Journal of Law in Society.

Alexander Freeman Endowed Fellowship

  • Established by the late Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Freeman in honor of their son, Dr. Alwyn Freeman, this award is made to a student interested in international law. The fellowship covers tuition, travel and some living expenses for summer study at the Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands.

Charles H. Gershenson Trust Scholarship

  • This scholarship is funded by the Charles H. Gershenson Trust in memory of Charles H. Gershenson. It is awarded to students with high credentials and outstanding character.

Leonard R. Gilman Scholarship

  • This scholarship is in memory of Leonard R. Gilman, who was the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. It will be awarded to an upper-class student who has financial need, a strong interest in criminal law and has demonstrated scholarly achievement, character and leadership. Applicants must have at least a B average.

Joseph Grano Endowed Scholarship

  • This scholarship was established in memory of the late Professor Joseph Grano and is awarded on the basis of merit to an outstanding student in constitutional law or criminal procedure.

George J. and Evelyn J. Haddad Endowed Scholarship

  • This scholarship is for Law School students enrolled in Wayne Law's part-time evening program who had a gap in enrollment between the attainment of their undergraduate degree and enrollment at Wayne Law of more than three years. Applicants must submit an essay (300 words or less) describing their commitment to issues of social and/or economic justice in order to be eligible for scholarship consideration.

Charles V. Hammond Memorial Scholarship

  • This scholarship, established by friends of the late Charles V. Hammond '82, is awarded for outstanding academic achievement in the first year of law studies and continued academic success.

Kienbaum Opperwall Hardy Pelton PLC Endowed Scholarship

  • This scholarship was established by the Kienbaum Opperwall Hardy & Pelton PLC law firm. It is intended to recognize high scholastic achievement by upper-level law students, particularly in the study of labor law.

Raymond L. Krell Memorial Endowed Scholarship

  • This scholarship, established by the late Raymond L. Krell '58, is awarded to students who demonstrate significant financial need and a commitment to pro bono or charitable activities. 

Norman I. Leemon Endowed Scholarship

  • This award, in honor of Norman I. Leemon '42, is given to a law student for outstanding achievement in a real estate financing, land use, urban housing or real estate taxation course.

Frederica K. Lombard Scholarship

  • This scholarship is funded by the Charles H. Gershenson Trust in honor of Frederica K. Lombard, former Law School associate dean and professor of law. It is awarded to students of the highest caliber with strong academic credentials.

Joan Mahoney Scholarship

  • This scholarship is funded by the Charles H. Gershenson Trust in honor of Joan Mahoney, former dean and professor of law. It is awarded to students of the highest caliber with strong academic credentials.

Walter Nussbaum Endowed Award

  • Established by friends of the late Walter Nussbaum '50, this award is made to a student who excels in the Professional Responsibility and the Legal Profession course.

James K. Robinson Scholarship

  • This scholarship was funded by the Charles H. Gershenson Trust in honor of James K. Robinson, former Law School dean and professor of law. It is awarded to students of the highest caliber with strong academic credentials.

James K. Robinson Endowed Scholarship Fund

  • This fund, which pays one year of full tuition, was established by former Law School Dean James K. Robinson to assist deserving students and has been supplemented by his friends and family in honor of the many contributions Dean Robinson made to the legal field throughout his career. It is designed to recognize scholastic achievement, to encourage continued progress and to provide assistance to students in financing their education in the Law School.

Richard H. Rogers Endowed Scholarship

  • This scholarship was created by David and Susan Rogers in memory of Richard H. Rogers, who was unable to attend college due to financial hardship. Mr. Rogers understood the value of an education and provided for his family as a successful small business owner. This scholarship will be awarded to an upper-class student who demonstrates significant financial need and is in the top 20 percent of his or her class.

Professor Alan Schenk Annual Student Prize

  • John and Lynn Collins, '76 and '78, created this student prize in honor of Professor Alan Schenk's 40th year as a professor at the Law School. Professor Schenk is regarded throughout the world as an outstanding professor of tax law and preeminent expert on value-added taxation. This scholarship is awarded to the student with the highest grade in the Business Planning course.

Boaz Siegel Endowed Award

  • Established by the late Professor Emeritus Boaz Siegel upon his retirement from the Law School in 1972, this award is made for the best papers or outstanding performance in the fields of pension, health and welfare, employment or labor law. 

Ira J. Spoon Endowed Award

  • Established by the late Ira J. Spoon '45, this award recognizes the student who wrote the best paper on the subject of urban development.

Ira J. Spoon Endowed Scholarship

  • This scholarship, established by the late Ira J. Spoon '45, is awarded to students on the basis of outstanding achievement in the first-year Property course.

Ferne Walter Endowed Scholarship

  • This scholarship, in memory of Ferne Walter, is awarded to a student of high scholastic achievement.

Patrick J. Burkett Memorial Endowed Scholarship

  • Established in the memory of Patrick J. Burkett '81, this award is presented to the top first-year law student in the Legal Research and Writing course. Donors to the scholarship include the Sommers Schwartz Silver Schwartz Foundation; shareholders and employees of Sommers Schwartz Silver Schwartz PC; and family and friends.