The deadline to apply for a BRO Scholarship is April 30, 2026. The Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA) Foundation is pleased to offer the 2026 Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded annually to a high school senior who identifies as a woman, who is interested in the field of law or public service, and who was inspired in this career choice by the WLALA Foundation’s Power Lunch Program, the WLALA organization, or by a WLALA leader.

Judge O’Connell, a long-time board member of WLALA, created the Power Lunch Program to provide civic education, judicial mentorship and exposure to the judicial branch to local high school students. As part of the Power Lunch Program, students visit courthouses to have lunch with judges, lawyers, courtroom staff and members of law enforcement.

The recipient of the Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell Scholarship will receive up to $5,000. To be eligible, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Be a high school senior who identifies as a woman;
• Interested in the field of law or in public service;
• Inspired to pursue this career choice by:
  • the WLALA Foundation’s Power Lunch Program;
  • the WLALA organization; or
  • a WLALA leader.

To apply please submit all of the following information/materials:

• Your contact information (name, email address, and phone number);
• A personal statement addressing where you have applied to college and/or where you have been accepted into college, your career goals, and how you were inspired to pursue this career by the WLALA Foundation’s Power Lunch Program, the WLALA organization, or a WLALA leader. Your personal statement must be typed, double-spaced, and a maximum of three pages;
• A minimum of one reference letter (no more than three).

All applications must be due no later than April 30, 2026.

Questions about the WLALA Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell Scholarship should be directed to Kay Burt at info@wlala.org.