ABA Family Law Section
Organised by The ABA Family Law Section's charitable programs promote Diversity, Access to Justice and Education in the Family Law Profession.
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Your generous gift made during the inaugural Hourly Billing Rate Fundraising Campaign supports the ABA Family Law Section Charitable Fund.
Each Section Member is encouraged to donate the monetary equivalent of one (1) billable hour of your time to support the FLS Charitable Fund. If you do not charge hourly for your time, please make your donation in any dollar amount.
Each gift will advance our mission to enhance diversity and inclusion in the profession; promote access to justice; support public service project and educational endeavors; and recognize outstanding family lawyers who are helping people when they need it the most.
Your tax-deductible donation supports critical programs and initiatives, including:
FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM:
The Fellowships allow talented attorneys to become deeply involved in the Section and provide mentorship to help guide them in their practice and offset barriers to Section involvement by providing travel funds to attend meetings and programs. This program is open to all Family Law attorneys who demonstrate financial need and (1) meet diversity criteria, or (2) work in legal services or non-profit legal organizations whose work centers around providing free or low-cost family legal services to individuals in traditionally underserved, diverse communities.
LAW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS:
The annual Howard C. Schwab Essay Contest stimulates curiosity and investigation into the field of Family Law. All law students are encouraged to enter, and the charitable fund supports scholarships for these deserving student winners.
SERVICE PROJECTS:
Section members implement local service projects during two CLE conferences each year. Each service project allows the Section to give back to the communities and worthy charities that provide services to families and children in the cities we visit during our conference. In addition, gifts to the Charitable Fund are used to donate to organizations in the cities where the Section hosts its Fall and Spring conferences.
PRO BONO SERVICE:
Each year the Section honors an attorney with the Jean Crowe Pro Bono Award for demonstrating outstanding and sustained achievements by offering services on a pro bono basis, or who promotes organizations that provide legal services to low income and/or under-represented populations.
SERVICE AND COMMITMENT:
The annual Allen Gary Palmer Excellence in Service and Commitment Award is conferred upon a second-year Fellow or former Fellow who has shown unwavering commitment to the Section and advancing its programs.
At a time when it would have been very difficult for me to do on my own, the Fellowship provided me with an avenue to - no a highway to - leadership within the Section. It takes hard work and dedication, but I can now say I am doing my part in shaping the future of our legal landscape, and while doing so, giving voice to those segments of society that are often not heard.
- Lilka Martinez, Fellow 2014-2016
Lilka currently serves on the Sections Council, CLE Committee, Communications Committee, and Family Advocate Editorial Board.
I am thankful to the Section for supporting my growth in the family law practice through the Fellowship program. As a legal aid attorney, my options are typically limited in the conferences that I can attend based on our funding. Additionally, the Fellowship program encourages active participation and leadership which has allowed me to join in on the amazing work of the Section.
- Maleaha Brown, Fellow 2018-2020
Maleaha was the third-place winner of the 2015 Schwab Essay Contest for her essay, "When Pros Become Cons: Ending the NFL's History of Domestic Violence Leniency." Maleaha also won the 2021 Allen Gary Palmer Excellence in Service and Commitment Award for her commitment to the Section.