“Everybody can’t do big things, but we all can do little things that help others.”
The late Judge Abraham Lincoln Marovitz
That phrase was one of the trademarks of the late Judge Abraham Lincoln Marovitz, both in word and deed. Throughout his distinguished life and career, Judge Marovitz, or Judge Abe to the many who knew him, was a firm believer that financial need should not be a bar to dedicated young students who want to pursue careers in public service.
As we celebrate the CBF’s 70th Anniversary, we look back to a little thing Judge Marovitz did to help aspiring law students pursue their dreams of helping others–the CBF Abraham Lincoln Marovitz Public Interest Law School Scholarship. First awarded in 2004, the Marovitz Scholarship was made possible by a generous planned gift by Judge Marovitz.
The Scholarship honors Judge Marovitz’s legacy by recognizing an incoming law student who is deeply committed to public interest law and has demonstrated financial need. These funds– $40,000 over three years — are provided so the Scholar can complete law school with as little debt as possible and financial pressures will not prevent the student from pursuing a legal aid career
To date, the CBF has awarded 15 Marovitz Scholarships. The Scholars, past and present, are an impressive and inspiring group of future and practicing lawyers who are passionate about helping vulnerable people in our community with their basic legal needs. Alums are currently working with people with disabilities, including children and youth with mental illness; tenants facing eviction; immigrant children and their families; and many other people in need. The CBF Marovitz Scholarship allowed them to better focus on law school without the distraction and stress that often accompany years of financial hardship due to student loans.
Christen Lee, the 2017 CBF Marovitz Scholar, with Scholarship Selection Committee Chair Andy Marovitz (left) & Terry Dee, 2017-2018 CBF President (right)
The Marovitz Scholarship is one of several CBF fellowship and scholarship programs that help make it possible for committed attorneys to pursue legal aid and public service careers despite the often overwhelming financial challenges that most students now encounter with skyrocketing levels of student loan debt. Through these programs, the CBF has helped over 100 inspiring legal aid and public interest attorneys to pursue and continue their important work to make our justice system more fair and accessible for everyone.