DISCLAIMER: The following notice does not affect any existing committed scholarships. However, there is potential that the scholarships, fellowships, and awards listed below may be affected by the 2025 legislative session. At the conclusion of the session, the College will evaluate the outcome and make the appropriate changes to the language associated with the list below. Students should know that the criteria may change significantly and should not rely on this information in the interim.

Please direct any questions to lawfinancialaid@law.utah.edu.

The O’Hara Honors Program creates an opportunity for outstanding law students to hone their expertise in natural resources law and to provide public service to Utah citizens. It provides comprehensive financial support and mentoring to promising natural resources law students and young lawyers and contains three parts: a summer clerkship, a law school merit scholarship, and a possible two-year position practicing natural resources law after graduation.

The program was established to honor Patrick O'Hara, an attorney who dedicated his personal and professional life to sensible management of Utah’s natural resources before his death in a car accident in February 2000.

O’Hara practiced law with Van Cott, Bagley, Cornwall & McCarthy, then with the Natural Resources Division of the Utah Attorney General’s Office. He was an active member and section chair of the Energy and Natural Resource Section of the Utah State Bar and a distinguished College of Law alumnus. O’Hara's wide-ranging interests, engaging personality, and delightful sense of humor endeared him to all who had the opportunity to work with him.

Benefits

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Summer clerkship (after the 2L year)
Cash award applied to fall and spring tuition
Full-year tuition benefit
Two-year paid position at the Natural Resources Division*

*Upon graduation and passing the Utah State Bar Exam, and depending upon adequate funding in the Attorney General’s office, the program participant will be placed in a two-year fully paid attorney position in the Natural Resources Division.

Eligibility

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The scholarship application is open to current second-year students.

Application requirements and selection

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Applicants must complete the common scholarship application and provide the following:

• a resume
• a written personal statement (no more than 500 words) that addresses the personal qualifications required by the scholarship
• an unofficial College of Law transcript

Applications will be reviewed by a committee that includes Utah Law and Wallace Stegner Center representatives, the O’Hara family, and the Utah attorney general. Finalists will interview with the committee.