Mark T. Banner Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Richard Linn American Inn of Court
Introductory Statement
The Richard Linn American Inn of Court supports the development of intellectual property attorneys who demonstrate strong ethics, civility, and professionalism, with particular encouragement for applicants from diverse backgrounds. The Mark T. Banner Scholarship is awarded as part of that commitment.
Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled in a Juris Doctor (JD) program at an ABA-accredited law school in the United States and remain enrolled through the Fall 2026 semester to be eligible for the Mark T. Banner Scholarship.
Selection Criteria
A review committee for the Mark T. Banner Scholarship will choose the recipient based on the following factors:
- Demonstrated commitment to a career in intellectual property law: a clear, sustained interest in practicing IP law.
- Ethics, civility, and professionalism: evidence of integrity and respectful conduct in personal and professional settings.
- Academic achievement: strong academic records at the undergraduate, graduate (if applicable), and law school levels.
- Communication skills: excellence in written and oral communication; finalists will participate in a video interview to assess these abilities.
- Leadership and community involvement: leadership experience and meaningful contributions to community initiatives.
- Resilience and overcoming adversity: examples of personal resilience in the face of significant challenges or hardships, which may include socioeconomic disadvantage, first-generation college status, family or personal crises, or other compelling circumstances.
Award Amount
The scholarship recipient will receive $10,000 to be applied toward their Fall 2026 law school semester.
Application Timeline and Notification
Applications are being accepted now through 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) on December 6, 2025. The selected recipient will be notified by April 2026. The award will be publicly announced at the Richard Linn American Inn of Court Annual Scholarship Dinner in Summer 2026.
Required Application Materials
Submit all materials as a single PDF file for review. The packet must include:
- Completed Mark T. Banner Scholarship Application Form
- Current resume
- Academic transcripts (law school and undergraduate/graduate transcripts)
- A statement no longer than three pages addressing: (a) how ethics, civility, and professionalism have been central to your conduct; (b) how you have overcome significant challenges or hardships; and (c) your commitment to pursuing a career in intellectual property law
- Contact information for three references, provided via the designated reference form
Questions about the application process should be directed to the Richard Linn American Inn of Court as indicated on the application materials.