Scholars

Program Description

The Business Law Section (the “BLS”) of the Florida Bar provides education and professional development in substantive areas of business law and provides a forum for discussion and interaction among section members, including transactional lawyers, business litigators, and members of the state and federal judiciary.

The BLS Scholars Program is designed to introduce and recruit future lawyers to the BLS by providing law students the opportunity to meet and interact with a diverse group of business lawyers and judges. Law students selected as BLS Scholars will attend the BLS’s annual meeting in June, which is held in conjunction with the Florida Bar Annual Convention, and the BLS’s mid-year meeting in January. At these meetings, BLS Scholars will enjoy incredible opportunities to get involved in the various committees and projects of the BLS and to build meaningful relationships through their involvement.

Program Benefits

The BLS will select ten (10) BLS Scholars from across the state to participate in the 2026 BLS Scholars Program. Those selected as BLS Scholars will receive:

• Mentorship. Each Scholar will be paired with a BLS mentor to help navigate the BLS meetings and events and to share advice for a successful career in business law.
• Professional recognition. Upon successful completion of the BLS Scholars Program, Scholars will receive a certificate recognizing their participation in the program and will have the privilege of listing their status as a BLS Scholar and involvement in the program on their resume. The BLS will feature a photo and a brief profile of each Scholar on its website and social media accounts.
• Enhanced law school experience. Scholars will have continued opportunities for involvement in the BLS, providing them an opportunity to expand their knowledge base and network with leaders in various fields of business law, which will help them stand out from their peers.
• Registration fee waiver. The BLS will waive Scholars’ registration fees for the signature dinners and luncheons hosted by the BLS at the annual and mid-year meetings.

Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in the BLS Scholars Programs, an applicant must be a 2L or 3L law student during the 2026-2027 academic year and be in good academic standing.

Program Requirements

1. BLS Scholars will be required to attend (a) the BLS annual meeting to be held on June 17-18, 2026, in Boca Raton, Florida; and (b) the BLS mid-year meeting to be held in January 2027 (date and location TBA by the Florida Bar).
   2. At each BLS meeting, BLS Scholars must (a) attend at least two (2) substantive committee meetings; (b) attend the joint Membership Committee and IMF Committee meeting; and (c) attend the signature dinner and luncheon events hosted by the BLS.
   3. Within seven days after each meeting, BLS Scholars must provide written feedback pertaining to their experience.
   4. BLS Scholars will be responsible for the costs of transportation and lodging to attend the BLS meetings. The BLS Membership Committee will continue to encourage law schools with one or more students selected to be BLS Scholars to provide academic and financial support for the Scholar’s attendance at the meetings, as some have done in the past.
   5. BLS Scholars are required to join the BLS as an affiliate member. Student affiliate members pay a reduced membership fee of $20.00.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

The application period for 2026 has closed. Please check back in early 2027 for the next application period.