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Texas Future Lawyers Alliance 2026-2027 Cohort Application

Hello aspiring lawyers! Please read the instructions before starting.

Applications must be submitted by September 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST, and selected students will be notified no later than September 22, 2026.

The Texas Young Lawyers Association understands the unique challenges future first‑generation law students face. Without inherited professional guidance, these students often navigate admissions, law school, and early career planning on their own.

The Texas Future Lawyers Alliance (TFLA) turns that challenge into opportunity, offering a year‑long cohort program featuring mentorship, practical legal training, networking, and application support, plus a funded in‑person advocacy experience. TFLA is part of TYLA’s broader commitment to expanding access and inclusion in the legal profession by supporting students who are taking the first step toward generational progress in their families.

TYLA will select up to twenty (20) aspiring lawyers to participate in the TFLA 2026-2027 Cohort. Applicants will be chosen through a competitive review of written materials; finalists may be invited to a short virtual interview.

To qualify, you must be:
  • A currently enrolled Texas college/university student planning to enroll in law school in Fall 2027 or Fall 2028.
    • Preference is given for students at institutions without an affiliated law school on the same campus. As an example, students at The University of Texas at El Paso (no law school on campus) may be better aligned than a student at UT Austin which has a law school on campus. Also, UNT students at the Denton main campus would not be affiliated with the UNT Dallas College of Law because they are on separate campuses.
  • An aspiring first-generation lawyer, meaning that none of your parents or grandparents are lawyers OR they are unable to support your career pursuits.
  • Available every Thursday from 5:30-7:00 P.M. CST for eight (8) consecutive weekly virtual 90-minute pre-law classes, beginning January 14, 2027, during the Spring semester.
  • Available to attend TYLA’s National Trial Competition (NTC), April 2-4, 2027 in San Antonio, TX.

The Thursday, 5:30 - 7 PM CST pre-law classes beginning on Thursday, January 14th, 2027 will cover:
  • Two (2) appellate advocacy classes
  • Two (2) trial advocacy classes
  • Two (2) criminal law classes
  • One (1) family law class
  • One (1) public interest law class
The National Trial Competition in San Antonio, TX, April 2-4, 2027 is a competition featuring the top law student trial advocates in the country. On those dates, TFLA cohort members will observe rounds, serve as witnesses, and network with both lawyers and law students. All travel, housing, and meals will be covered for the trip.

Upon successful completion of the TFLA program, participants will be provided with three (3) months of access to LawHub Advantage and LSAT Demon.

AI Use Statement: We recognize that artificial intelligence tools are increasingly part of academic and professional life. For this application, however, we want to hear your voice, perspective, and lived experience. The application questions below are designed to reveal who you are, how you think, and what motivates your interest in pursuing law school. Authentic, thoughtful responses written in your own words are far more compelling to us than perfectly polished answers that don’t reflect your true perspective!
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If you have questions about this application, please contact:
Anietie Akpan - aakpan125@yahoo.com
Bri Holcombe - bholcombe@huntlawtexas.com
1.What is your first name?(Required.)
2.What is your last name?(Required.)
3.At what email address would you like to be contacted?(Required.)
4.What is the best phone number to reach you?(Required.)
5.What is your permanent mailing address?(Required.)
6.What is the name of the college/university you are currently attending in Texas?(Required.)
7.In what month/year do you expect to graduate?(Required.)
8.What is your major(s)?(Required.)
9.What is your current GPA? Please only use the GPA from the institution you are currently attending.(Required.)
10.Optional GPA Statement: We know numbers don’t tell the whole story. If you’d like, please use this space to describe any personal, medical, financial, or other circumstances that have affected your academic performance or GPA, or any additional context you would like us to know. This response is optional. Statement should be no more than 150 words.
11.Tell us about any college or community activities that you are involved in using no more than 300 words.
12.What high school did you graduate from?(Required.)
13.In what city/state did you complete your senior year of high school?(Required.)
14.What is your date of birth? (mm/dd/yyyy)(Required.)
15.Please select the highest level of education completed by any parent or guardian.(Required.)
16.Check all that apply.
17.If you have any relatives who are attorneys or are in law school, please describe the relationship(s) here. You can also explain if the relative(s) is/are unable or unwilling to provide you with guidance. (Limit 500 characters)
18.Personal Statement: Please use the following prompts to tell us about your interest in the law and the Texas Future Lawyers Alliance in no more than 500 words. You need not, and probably should not, address all five prompts in this short statement:
  1. Why do you want to pursue a legal career?
  2. What area(s) of law interests you most and why?
  3. Describe one leadership or community activity you’ve done and its impact.
  4. Why does the legal profession need your voice?
  5. How will you use your law degree to transform your life or community?

Please use specific examples from your life, community, or experiences to show how your perspective, skills, and goals align with TFLA’s mission to train and support future lawyers.(Required.)
19.Financial Statement: Please check all that apply.
20.Please describe any additional financial circumstances you would like us to consider (250 words maximum).
21.Acknowledgement of Commitment
22.What else would you like for us to know? Please answer any questions you wish we would have asked or explain any of your previous responses. (Limit 250 words)
Affirmation of Applicant

By submitting this document, I am affirming that:
  1. I have reviewed this application for omissions and errors.
  2. To the best of my knowledge, the information is accurate and complete.
  3. I certify that this is my own original work and that I did not use generative artificial intelligence in creating it. I further understand that any misrepresentation may result in disqualification.
  4. I understand that TYLA reserves the right to verify the contents of this application.