What
Four scholarships are available for both high school & college students
How
Submit a 1,000-word essay & school transcript
When
Friday, December 18, 2026 @ 11:59 PM PST
At Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers, we are committed to supporting students who are actively shaping their future through hard work, resilience, and a commitment to learning. As a San Diego-based criminal defense firm, we’ve spent decades advocating for individuals and standing up for what’s fair—and we see education as a powerful tool for creating lasting impact.
We are proud to offer two scholarships to support high school and college students in pursuing their educational goals!
If you’re ready to take the next step in your academic journey, we encourage you to apply.
Apply Now
High School Scholarship
First Place Award: $750
Runner-Up Award: $250
Funds must be applied toward qualified educational expenses, such as:
- Tuition and fees
- Books and supplies
- On-campus housing
Funds are provided by Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers and will be disbursed directly to the winning student upon verification of enrollment and academic standing.
Essay Prompt
"As criminal lawyers, we know initial impressions rarely tell the whole story. Describe a time when you rushed to judgment about a person or a situation, only to realize later that you were completely wrong. What caused your perspective to shift, and how has that changed how you approach others?"
Your essay must be:
- A minimum of 1,000 words
- Original, clearly written, and well-organized
- Thoughtful, creative, and grammatically sound
Essays will be scored based on clarity, depth, organization, and connection to the theme.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Be enrolled full-time as a senior in a U.S. high school at the time of entry
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (verified by transcript)
- Submit a 1,000-word essay responding to the prompt
Note: Employees of Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers and their immediate family or household members are not eligible to apply.
College & Junior College Scholarship
First Place Award: $1,000
Runner-Up Award: $500
Funds must be applied toward qualified educational expenses, such as:
- Tuition and fees
- Books and supplies
- On-campus housing or meal plans
Funds are provided by Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers and will be disbursed directly to the winning student upon verification of enrollment and academic standing.
Essay Prompt
“The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel to every accused individual, yet criminal defense attorneys often face intense scrutiny when representing individuals the public has already deemed guilty. Analyze the moral and ethical dynamics a defense attorney and advocate must navigate when defending an unpopular client. Furthermore, critically evaluate the foundational purpose of the Sixth Amendment. Address why a fair society should view a passionate defense not as a loophole for the accused, but as a shield to protect the constitutional rights of the entire public.”
Your essay must be:
- A minimum of 1,000 words
- Original, clearly written, and well-organized
- Thoughtful, creative, and grammatically sound
Essays will be scored based on clarity, depth, organization, and connection to the theme.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Be at least 18 years old at the time of application
- Be enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. junior college, college, or university as either:
- An undergraduate freshman, sophomore, or junior; or
- A college senior who is enrolled in or accepted to graduate school for the upcoming academic year; or
- A graduate student who is not in their final year of study
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (verified by transcript)
- Submit a 1,000-word essay responding to the prompt
Note: Recipients must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher during the scholarship period. Employees of Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers and their immediate family or household members are not eligible to apply.
Deadline to Apply
The deadline to apply is Monday, June 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST
How To Apply
- Complete the online submission form
- Upload your essay (PDF or Word format)
- Provide your full name, contact information, and a valid email address (college applicants must use a university-issued .edu email address)
Note: Only one entry per student will be considered.
Winner Announcement
Scholarship recipients will be selected by a panel of judges based on the creativity, relevance, and overall quality of their essays. Winners will be notified via email or mail within 30 days of the application deadline and must confirm acceptance of the award within 14 days of notification. If a winner does not respond within that timeframe or is found to be ineligible, an alternate recipient may be selected at the discretion of the scholarship panel.
Questions?
We’re here to help. Reach out to jessica@sevenslegal.com with any scholarship inquiries.
After You Win
If selected, you will be asked to:
- Submit a completed IRS W-9 form
- Provide proof of enrollment and GPA verification
- Optionally provide a brief testimonial, photograph, or statement for use in promotional materials
Failure to submit the required documentation may result in a delay or forfeiture of the scholarship award.
Terms & Legal Disclosures
Effective Date: The date of application
These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern participation in the Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers Scholarship Program (the “Program”). By submitting an application, you (“Applicant”) agree to these Terms.
1. Eligibility
- Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements outlined in the scholarship application.
- Proof of eligibility (including, but not limited to, transcripts, GPA verification, enrollment verification, or other requested materials) must be provided upon request if selected as a winner.
- Applicants who fail to provide requested documentation may be disqualified.
2. Submissions
- All application materials, including essays, statements, videos, or other content (“Submissions”), must be the Applicant’s original work.
- By applying, the Applicant grants Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, distribute, publish, and display the Submissions, in whole or in part, for promotional, educational, and marketing purposes.
3. Name, Image, and Likeness
- By submitting an application, Applicants grant Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers permission to use their name, image, likeness, voice, testimonial statement, and biographical information in connection with the Program.
- This includes, but is not limited to, use in press releases, promotional campaigns, social media posts, website features, printed materials, and future scholarship announcements.
- Scholarship recipients agree to:
- Provide a short written statement or testimonial about how the scholarship impacted them, which may be quoted publicly.
- Have their photograph taken with representatives of Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers and grant permission for that photo to be used in promotional materials, social media, press releases, and on the Sevens Legal website, without additional compensation.
4. Selection and Awards
- Scholarship recipients will be selected based on the criteria outlined in the application.
- Decisions of the scholarship selection committee are final and binding.
- Awards are non-transferable and may be subject to federal, state, or local tax reporting. Applicants are solely responsible for any applicable taxes.
5. Verification of Winners
- Potential winners must provide requested documentation within the time frame specified by Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers. This may include:
- Government-issued photo identification,
- Official or unofficial transcripts,
- Verification of GPA and/or enrollment.
- Failure to provide verification may result in forfeiture of the award and the selection of an alternate recipient.
6. Code of Conduct
- Applicants may not submit false, misleading, plagiarized, or fraudulent information.
- Any misconduct or violation of these Terms may result in disqualification, forfeiture of the award, and potential exclusion from future programs.
7. Limitation of Liability
Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers is not responsible for:
- Lost, late, incomplete, or misdirected applications,
- Technical malfunctions or failures of any kind,
- Any injury, loss, or damage resulting from participation in the Program or use of the scholarship award.
8. Privacy
- Information collected through the application process will be used solely for the purpose of administering the Program, unless otherwise stated in these Terms.
- Limited information (such as the award recipient’s name, school, photograph, and testimonial) may be made public as part of promotional activities.
9. Modifications
Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the Program at any time, with or without notice, at its sole discretion.
10. Governing Law
- These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law principles.
About Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers
At Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers, we understand how education can open doors and shape futures. As one of San Diego’s premier criminal defense firms—with over 150 years of combined legal experience—our mission is rooted in advocacy, accountability, and helping people move forward with purpose.
Led by Certified Criminal Law Specialist Samantha Greene, Firm Director Kerry Steigerwalt, and Managing Partner Dan Greene, our team has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional results and personalized support. In 2024, we were proud to be voted Best Criminal Defense Firm and Best DUI Firm in San Diego—recognition that reflects our commitment not just to legal excellence, but to the people and communities we serve.
Through this scholarship, we’re honored to support students like you—motivated individuals who are committed to growth, learning, and making a meaningful impact. No matter your field of study, if you bring integrity, focus, and a desire to contribute to something greater, we believe in your journey—and we’re proud to help you take the next step.
Scholarship Application
Please provide your personal contact details so we can reach you if needed. This includes your full name, email address, phone number, mailing address, and date of birth.