Advocating a Path to New Scholarships and Successful Careers in Law School
UMKC School of Law Campaign for Advocates is making a difference
The Campaign for Advocates is a campaign initiated to increase opportunities for students in the Advocacy program through support of scholarships and advocacy competition travel and expenses. The campaign was able to reach its $1 million goal with the help of pledges and donations, including more than 30 firms and individual donors.
Eight endowed scholarships were created because of this campaign. These scholarships will primarily serve to recruit students who have demonstrated talent in trial advocacy with intent to pursue trial work in law practice upon graduation.
Stephanie Landers (J.D. ’23) is one of the first recipients of the Monsees & Mayer Endowed Scholarship, one of the eight endowed scholarships.
“I have always had a huge heart for helping people who don’t have a voice,” Landers says. “After 10 years of teaching, I wanted to make a career change where I could truly advocate for people every single day.”
“I fell in love with litigation [during a mock trial challenge],” Landers says. “I love being in the courtroom and advocating. The whole reason I came back to law school was to give hope to people who didn’t have a voice.”
Even though Landers worked full time during law school, receiving the scholarship this year has been essential. “I’m sitting for the bar, and the help with bar preparation has been critical.”
Steve Leben, the Douglas R. Stripp Missouri Distinguished Professor of Law, is committed to furthering opportunities for advocacy students.
"The support is important for advocacy students who are unable to work as much as they’d like because of the preparation for advocacy competitions,” Leben says. “These funds help our students, but also the potential clients who need their skills.”
The School of Law's Campaign for Advocates provides opportunities for law students with tuition and other expenses.
