2026 Russell & Lazarus Scholarship

In partnership with the Orange County Hispanic Bar Association (OCHBA)

At Russell & Lazarus, we believe in standing up for people during life’s most difficult
moments. Through this scholarship, we recognize students who demonstrate resilience,
leadership, and a commitment to making a positive difference in their communities.

We are affording this opportunity to five (5) Orange County high school students who
have an interest in pursuing an education in law with the interest in pursuing a career as
an attorney or paralegal to earn a $500 educational stipend each.

We are also allowing this opportunity to three (3) Orange County post-high school
students who have an interest in pursuing attending law school to earn a $1,500
scholarship each.

Submissions:

Create a 2 to 3-minute video on one of the three topics below:
1) Describe an issue, opportunity, or experience that has shaped your perspective
on the Hispanic community. How have you contributed, or how do you hope to
contribute, to creating a positive change through your education, leadership, or
service?

2) Have you or a loved one benefited from the help of an attorney? How impactful
was that experience, and did it influence your decision to go into the legal
profession? Or, did you have a disappointing experience with an attorney that made you decide to move into law so that you can be the change?

3) Describe a moment when you stood up for someone, served your community, or
helped solve a problem. How has that experience shaped your future goals?

Submission Parameters

Length: 2–3 minutes (maximum 3 minutes)
Format: MP4, MOV, or a shareable video link (YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, etc.)
Recording: Landscape or portrait is acceptable.
Presentation: Speak directly to the camera.
Language: English.
Originality: The video must be the applicant’s original work. No AI.
Deadline: November 30th, 2026 at 10:00 p.m. PST
To qualify, you must follow: @russellandlazarusapc, @abogadosrussellylazarus, and follow the Instagram account of the Orange County Hispanic Bar Association @ochba.org (winners will be featured on social media)
Winners will be required to attend a mixer in Newport Beach to receive their scholarships and/or stipends, where they will be honored, and their submission will be played for those in attendance.

Evaluation Criteria

Applicants will be evaluated on:

Authenticity – Shares genuine experiences and perspectives.
Connection to the Topic – Clearly addresses the question.
Goals – Demonstrates initiative, impact, or future goals.
Communication Skills – Organized, engaging, and easy to follow.
Vision for the Future – Explains how the scholarship will help achieve
educational and community goals.

Tips for Applicants

Share a personal story or meaningful experience.
Explain why this issue or experience matters to you.
Discuss how your education and future goals align with serving your
community.
Be yourself—there’s no expectation for professional editing or production
quality. A clear, sincere video recorded on a phone is perfectly acceptable.

At our firm, we believe that everyone deserves to be supported during difficult times,
and we want to encourage people in the community who want to do the same.

Questions? Contact: marlene@lawrussell.com