🎓 The ABA Forum on Communications Law Annual Conference Scholarship

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

The Forum awards two scholarships for each annual conference. The two winning applicants will have a demonstrated interest in media law and/or First Amendment law, as reflected in their transcript and cv. Other relevant considerations include strength of academic record, experience in the media field, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession and the justice system.

The scholarship applicant who receives the highest overall cumulative score will be designated the Forum's "Dick Goehler Scholar", a significant honor. This scholarship is named for longtime Forum member and former Chair Dick Goehler, a media lawyer of exemplary dedication to his clients and the principles of the First Amendment. Dick's work ethic was well known to everyone within the Forum.  He was available to his clients from early morning until late at night, working tirelessly to defend free expression, and he contributed to the Forum in countless ways. It is particularly appropriate that a scholarship be named for him, as Dick had a deep interest in cultivating the next generation of media lawyers and served as a mentor to many young attorneys, who he enjoyed challenging and helping rise to the occasion. Dick was a committed family man, a man of deep faith, a leader in his law firm Frost Brown Todd and a loyal alumni of Notre Dame and Miami of Ohio. But he is first and foremost remembered by those in the Forum as a true lawyer's lawyer, a kind and gracious colleague with an optimistic outlook on human potential, and a wise and cheerful counselor to his clients and everyone in the media law field. All those within the Forum admired him greatly and were deeply saddened by his untimely death at the age of 54.

Applicants must be a registered law student at an ABA-approved law school and must be a member of the ABA Law Student Division* to be considered.

Note: Membership in the ABA Law Student Division is FREE!  Please select the ABA Forum on Communications Law as your first choice for Section, Division, and Forum membership.  That is free, too!

Purpose of the Scholarship

The scholarships are intended for those who would not otherwise be able to attend the conference, and those who have not previously received financial assistance from the Forum to attend the annual conference (such as moot court participants). Please note that preference may be given to upper-class law students and to applicants who have not previously attended the annual conference. 

Application Process and Instructions

2025-26 Scholarship Application

The deadline to apply is Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET.

This is a firm deadline. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Please account for time zone differences in submitting your application.  

All applicants must complete the Application Form and submit the documentation described in that form. Please read carefully and follow all of the instructions provided in the Application Form.