Programs

The National Bar Institute’s programs are designed to expand access to legal education by providing academic support, professional preparation, and leadership development opportunities for aspiring legal professionals. Through scholarships, educational initiatives, and advocacy programs, NBI supports participants at multiple stages of the legal education pipeline.

NBI Law Scholars Program

The NBI Law Scholars Program provides scholarship support and academic resources for rising second-year law students demonstrating strong academic performance and leadership potential. Scholars receive structured financial assistance and access to professional development opportunities designed to strengthen long-term success in the legal profession.

National Bar Association Commercial Law Section (NBA-CLS)

The National Bar Association Commercial Law Section (NBA-CLS) is committed to creating networking, learning, and knowledge-sharing opportunities for external and in-house counsel practicing in the area of Commercial Law. This is primarily achieved by offering meaningful programming and networking opportunities for its members to learn from and engage with one another, including at the NBA-CLS Annual Corporate Counsel Conference held each year in February.

Since 2017, the National Bar Institute (NBI) has partnered with the NBA-CLS to lead community outreach initiatives in conjunction with the annual Corporate Counsel Conference. This impactful collaboration has also resulted in scholarship awards for students who are attending or planning to attend law school. Representatives from NBI and NBA-CLS have met with leadership teams at various schools to exchange ideas and explore ways each program can better support its mission of preparing diverse talent for successful legal careers.

2018 NBA CLS Conference, Orlando, FL
Section Members with Florida A&M Law Students

Martin Luther King Drum Major for Justice Advocacy Program

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice Advocacy Program is a national advocacy competition that encourages high school students to research, develop, and present persuasive arguments on selected legal topics. Participants are recognized for their achievement and engagement through scholarships and educational awards.

Bar Passage Success Program

The Bar Passage Success Program offers structured bar exam preparation, instructional resources, and accountability support to help participants strengthen readiness for the bar examination and early legal practice.

Affiliates Scholarship Program

The Affiliates Scholarship Program provides financial assistance and professional development support to help reduce educational barriers and promote academic and professional advancement for program participants.

Crump Law Camp

An amazing opportunity to experience entry into the legal profession

Crump Law Camp is an educational initiative that introduces high school students to the American legal system through academic instruction, skill-building activities, and exposure to legal education pathways. The program emphasizes critical thinking, communication skills, and foundational knowledge that support future success in the legal profession.

Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO)

Since first being established in 1968, the Council on Legal Education Opportunity, Inc. (CLEO) has diligently strived to fulfill its mission, which is “to inspire, motivate, and prepare students from underrepresented communities to succeed in law school and beyond.”

For decades, the generous, steadfast support that CLEO has consistently received from both the National Bar Association and National Bar Institute (NBI) has significantly aided in this effort and positioned the organization to reach even more members of their target demographic.

Photo taken at AIE/ASAP Pre-Law Seminar in summer of 2017 at New York Law School.

Other Supported Organizations

Financial support has also been granted to the following:

National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA)

National Bar Association Women’s Lawyers Division

National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division

National Bar Association Judicial Council Division

National Association of the Bench and Bar