Continuing Student Scholarship Opportunities

EXCELLENCE

In the course of a long career, both in practice and in the courts, the impressive lawyers I have encountered were multi-faceted in their skills, talents and abilities. What they all possessed was a devotion to excellence. Impressive lawyers are imbued with the desire to be the best and greatest achiever in any endeavor.  That goal permeates their thoughts and plans.  To achieve an excellent result that is worthy of one’s endeavor is the hallmark of every good lawyer. A lawyer who desires to be excellent in his craft must be wise and learned in the law, meticulous in the preparation of all work, cautious in public statements, and take pride in all achievements knowing that they were done as well as could be done. Thus, excellence becomes a determination to make one’s work not just good but as good as an intelligent lawyer can make it.  We should remember that Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” The serious law student therefore must make excellence his or her foremost endeavor.

                                                                                                 ~Judge Clarence A. Brimmer 

Judge Clarence A. Brimmer Scholarship

The Judge Clarence A. Brimmer Scholars Program honors Judge Brimmer’s long and distinguished services to the District of Wyoming, its bar, and its citizens as a Judge of the District Court.  The scholarship is awarded to the student who has demonstrated “excellence” while in law school.  The Scholarship committee considers the academics, service, involvement, and leadership of the applicants.  It is an extraordinary honor to be the recipient of this award, as well as being a finalist. 

To apply for the Brimmer Scholarship, fill out the Application Form and include all required materials as indicated on the application form. Applications are accepted in the spring semester. The deadline for 2025 is March 21st by 3:00 pm. Applications must be submitted electronically to Lisa Nunley at Lisa.Nunley@uwyo.edu. 

For a list of all past Brimmer Scholars, click here.

You must be a 2L to apply for this scholarship. 

Salt Creek Energy Excellence Scholarship

Established in 2015 by University of Wyoming alums and benefactors practicing in the areas of oil and gas and energy law, the Salt Creek Energy Excellence Scholarship is awarded to students demonstrating academic achievement and a commitment to the study and practice of energy law. Salt Creek Scholars are promoted to potential employers throughout the Salt Creek Scholars donor network.

To apply for the Salt Creek Energy Excellence Scholarship, fill out the Application Form and all required materials as indicated on the application form. Applications are accepted in the spring semester. The deadline for 2025 is March 21st by 3:00 pm. Applications must be submit electronically to Lisa Nunley at Lisa.Nunley@uwyo.edu. 

For a list of all past Salt Creek Scholars, click here.

You must be a 1L or 2L to apply for this scholarship. 

Alfred A. Pence Scholarship

The Alfred A. Pence Scholarship is awarded to a student possessing future potential as a trial lawyer, and whose plan is to engage in the private practice of law in Wyoming. The scholarship is named for Alfred A. Pence, a founding partner of the Laramie law firm, Pence and MacMillan, LLC.

To apply for the Pence Scholarship, fill out the Application Form and include all required materials as indicated on the application form. Applications are accepted in the spring semester. The deadline for 2025 is March 21st by 3:00 pm. Applications must be submit electronically to Lisa Nunley at Lisa.Nunley@uwyo.edu. 

You must be a 2L to apply for this scholarship. 

Bob C. Sigler Country Lawyer Scholarship

Bob C. Sigler attended the University of Wyoming College of Law, and was a “country" lawyer in Torrington, Wyoming where he was engaged in the general practice of law for more than 50 years, and developed friendships with clients and adversaries that lasted a lifetime.  He served Wyoming residents in Goshen and Platte County, primarily, but occasionally his practice reached into other parts of Wyoming. Bob Sigler established this scholarship to benefit Wyoming law students who demonstrate grit, a strong work ethic, a passion for Wyoming, and plan to practice in a small town in Wyoming.

To apply for the Bob C. Sigler Scholarship, fill out the Application Form and include all required materials as indicated on the application form.  Applications are accepted in the spring semester. The deadline for 2025 is March 21st by 3:00 pm. Applications must be submit electronically to Lisa Nunley at Lisa.Nunley@uwyo.edu. 

You must be a 1L or 2L to apply for this scholarship. 

Terry W. Mackey Scholarship

The Terry W. Mackey Scholarship is awarded to a student possessing a strong potential future as a trial lawyer or significant interest in trial advocacy and litigation, particularly those wanting to pursue practice in the state of Wyoming. The award is made at the end of the Summer Trial Institute (STI) each August following a nomination and selection process based upon participation and performance during STI. 

The scholarship is named for Terry W. Mackey, one of the founding members of the STI program and Trial Advocacy at the College of Law. Terry was dedicated to the people of the state of Wyoming and University of Wyoming. Terry had an awesome presence in the courtroom, a result of hard work, a great passion for the law, and a love of storytelling. He exemplified grit and tenacity in all aspects of his practice. The scholarship is granted to a student who exhibits these qualities throughout the STI program. 

Alan B. Johnson Prize

Established in honor of the highly respected, beloved judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming, the Alan B. Johnson Prize will be awarded to one or two students who have excelled in Federal Courts per academic performance and class participation and whose scholarship package will not exceed the full cost of attendance based upon the award’s conferral.  

Wyoming State Bar Rural Practice Opportunity Fund 

In Wyoming, there are fewer and fewer attorneys prcticing in rural areas.  The decline of the number of lawyers practicing in Wyoming's rural areas creates access to justice problems for rural residents and deprives those communities of the contributions of lawyers to the civic, economic, and social activities of the community.  Rural attorneys tend to be in older demographics and increasingly enter retirement with no one to replace them.

The Wyoming State Bar is committed to efforts to address the decline and shortage of rural lawyers in the state.  The Wyoming State Bar Rural Practice Opportunity Fund shall support programs to introduce, encourage, and prepare students to practice in Wyoming's rural communities.

Robert C. Mathes and Brittany D.M. Hodges Energy and Natural Resources Law Endowment 

This endowment is to be awarded to the student director of the EENR Clinic.  Information regarding the application process for the student director position is provided to all rising 3L student in the spring semester of their 2L year.