July 8, 2026 – New lawyers: Would you like to receive $3,200 to help pay law school debt or defray the costs of operating your practice?
The Wisconsin Law Foundation will provide Belle Case La Follette Awards to three new Wisconsin lawyers – in their second to fourth years of practice – who currently represent underserved populations.
These populations include clients in Wisconsin whose legal needs are historically unmet or who live and work in rural areas with limited access to legal services.
“The awards are part of the Foundation’s mission to improve access to justice,” says Fran Deisinger, Foundation past president.
“These attorneys often cover multiple counties and spend numerous hours driving to reach their clients. They also assist attorneys in urban areas helping those of modest means and where language barriers limit access to legal services,” Deisinger said.
Recipients may use the awards at their own discretion – whether that's law school loans, office expenses, or other financial needs.
How to Apply – Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, 2026
One award each is given to a graduate of the U.W. and Marquette University law schools, and a third award is given to a graduate of an out-of-state law school who is practicing in Wisconsin. Applicants must be sworn in as Wisconsin lawyers between Jan. 1, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2024.
The Foundation Awards Committee considers several factors, including the applicant’s professional reputation and achievements, as well as how the applicant represents underserved populations.
Visit the Scholarships and Awards page (scroll down to “Belle Case La Follette Awards”) for more information. See the Call for Applications information form for further details, including how to apply and award criteria.
About the Wisconsin Law Foundation
The Belle Case La Follette Awards are made possible by generous contributions to the Wisconsin Law Foundation.
The Wisconsin Law Foundation is the charitable arm of the State Bar of Wisconsin, and through its mission has a rich history of promoting:
public understanding of the law,
improvement of the administration of justice, and
law-related public service through funding of innovative and creative programs that improve the vision of the American justice system.
The Foundation is a nonprofit, nonstock organization, and accepts contributions from all State Bar of Wisconsin members and the public. Founded by five visionary attorneys, it was incorporated in 1951 as the Wisconsin Bar Foundation, and through the charitable contributions of our members, has grown into the vital philanthropic law-related organization it is today.
Find out more in the Foundation’s Impact newsletter.
