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Gismondi Bench-Bar Scholarship Fund
Through the remarkable generosity of former ACBA President John P. Gismondi and The Gismondi Foundation, the Allegheny County Bar Foundation will provide up to 10 annual scholarships for members of the ACBA Young Lawyers Division (those in their first 10 years of practice) with financial need to attend the annual Bench-Bar Conference at no cost.
These scholarships will allow young attorneys who otherwise could not attend Bench-Bar – Western Pennsylvania’s largest annual gathering of attorneys and judges – to experience first-hand the extraordinary benefits of the conference, including earning CLE credits and networking with colleagues and members of the judiciary.
These scholarships are the latest in John Gismondi’s long dedication to advancing legal education. His passion for teaching, mentoring, and strengthening the profession is evident in his decades of work, whether teaching trial tactics or moderating panels and seminars.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Applicants must be active members of the ACBA
• Applicants must have practiced for 10 years or less
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• Applicants should demonstrate interest in full-participation at Bench-Bar
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Application Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed application form including:
• A personal statement of 500 words or fewer describing financial need, motivation for attending, anticipated professional benefits, and how attendance will strengthen their engagement with the ACBA.
• A current résumé or curriculum vitae.
The Scholarship Committee will select recipients based on financial need, demonstrated dedication to professional development, and engagement in bar association activities. Preference will be given to first-time attendees and applicants who show strong potential for future leadership in the legal community. All scholarship selections will be made using objective and nondiscriminatory criteria.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 27, 2026. Scholarship recipients will be notified by March 15, 2026. For more information, contact Lorrie Albert at lalbert@acba.org.
Former ACBA President
John P. Gismondi