Chotsani Holifield awarded 2022 Justice Janie L. Shores Scholarship

June 2, 2022 – (MONTGOMERY, Ala.) – Chotsani Holifield, a student at Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, has been awarded $8,000 as the recipient of the 2022 Justice Janie L. Shores Scholarship. The scholarship was established by the Women’s Section of the Alabama State Bar in honor of the first female Alabama Supreme Court Justice and is administered annually with the assistance of the Alabama Law Foundation. The Justice Janie L. Shores Scholarship is awarded to one or more female Alabama residents attending an Alabama law school.

“The Women’s Section is excited to award Ms. Holifield the 2022 Janie L. Shores Scholarship,” says Sherrie Phillips, Chair of the Women’s Section. “We are honored to recognize and support Ms. Holifield’s hard work and accomplishments this far, and look forward to watching her become a valuable member of the Alabama Bar. The Women’s Section wishes to thank all of the donors and supporters of its annual Silent Auction as all of the proceeds from the Auction fund this scholarship.”

Holifield serves as the 2L Class Representative, was a finalist in the 1L Donworth Moot Court Competition, is President of Sigma Eta, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is a 3 + 3 Accelerated Law Program Participant, a Scholar of Merit and a member of the Black Law Students Association. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Samford University. A native of Leeds, Alabama, Holifield graduated from St. Clair County High School.

Holifield is interested in practicing in the areas of Criminal Litigation or Governmental affairs, with a long-term goal to become a judge. She says she became interested in pursuing a career as a lawyer after reflecting on the assistance lawyers provided to her family during her childhood. “I decided that I want my future career and professional affiliations to be impactful to those with similar experiences and be as influential as those attorneys were to me,” she wrote in her scholarship application.

The Alabama Law Foundation administers three law school scholarship funds to help the next generation of lawyers. They are the Justice Janie L. Shores Scholarship, the Cabaniss Johnston Scholarship and the W. Verbon Black Scholarship. Additionally, the Kids’ Chance Scholarship Fund helps the children of injured workers attend college.

“Providing scholarships to help students on their path to becoming a lawyer is one of the most rewarding things we do,” said Dawn Hathcock, Executive Director of the Alabama Law Foundation. “These young people have the vision for growing the profession into the future and will help ensure access to justice remains within reach for all who need legal help.”

Scholarships are awarded annually. For applications and deadlines, visit our website at AlabamaLawFoundation.org/scholarships.

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