The U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association will award at least one annual law student scholarship of up to $5,000.00, in honor of the Court’s former Chief Deputy Clerk of Administrative Services, Carole Bailey.

2024 Carole Bailey Scholarship Rules

Application acceptance start date: Monday, June 17, 2024

Application acceptance end date:  Monday, September 16, 2024 (11:59pm Eastern Time)

Carole had been asked to serve as assistant dean for administration at Delaware (now Widener) School of Law when she met Judge Loren Smith.  A few months later, she moved to Washington, D.C., to serve at the Administrative Conference with Judge Smith.  She followed him to the Court of Federal Claims in 1985, serving as then Chief Judge Smith’s first chief of staff and law clerk.  Two years later, she left the Court to join the FTC, and ultimately moved to Atlantic City, where she operated a successful construction supply business with her husband, and eventually became an adjunct professor of business at the local community college.  In 2001, she returned to D.C. and, seeing the needs in the D.C. school system, wrote to the Superintendent of D.C. schools, offering her assistance to do anything, eventually serving as a 4^th grade teacher and adjunct professor at the University of the District of Columbia.  In 2003, Carole returned to the Court as a staff attorney, and rose rapidly through the ranks, culminating in her position as Chief Deputy Clerk, from which she retired at the end of 2011.  During her tenure with the Court, Carole worked closely with the Bar Association and provided invaluable help to the Association in its mission to serve the Bar of the Court.

In commemoration of Carole’s longstanding commitment to public service and her tireless efforts in working with and providing assistance to the Bar Association, the Bar Association is pleased to award scholarships to law students with a demonstrated commitment to public service.

Who may apply?

Any student who is:

1. Enrolled or enrolling in a JD program at any law school accredited by the American Bar Association for the 2024/2025 academic year; and,
2. Able to demonstrate either an interest in pursuing a public service legal career, or a past or present commitment to public service.
3. An interest in the subject matter jurisdiction of the Court of Federal Claims is beneficial but not necessary for an applicant to be selected.

How to apply?

An application must include:

1. A curriculum vitae or résumé that contains the applicant’s current contact information, including email and phone number;
2. The applicant’s most recent transcript (undergraduate, graduate or law school);
3. A letter of recommendation from a professor or any other suitable person; and,
4. An original essay written by the applicant alone.  The essay is limited to no more than 600 words and should address any interests, experiences or other qualifications considered relevant by the applicant that demonstrate an interest in pursuing a public service legal career, or a past or present commitment to public service.

Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. For those applicants who have not yet begun law school, and who therefore cannot provide a law school transcript, please submit a copy of your letter of acceptance to law school and proof that you are enrolling in that school for the 2024/2025 academic year.

Submissions must be transmitted in PDF format only by email to arussell@cfcbar.org.  Please (i) send only one (1) PDF file; (ii) identify each submission by noting “CFC Carole Bailey Scholarship Submission” in the “Subject” line.  Unfortunately, the Bar Association cannot process incomplete applications, nor will the Association contact an individual noting deficiencies in the application. All applications must be received no later than 11:59pm Eastern Time on Friday, Sept. 16, 2024.

Who judges the scholarship applications?

The applications will be evaluated by members of the Bar Association’s Board of Governors, as well as a judicial officer of the Court. Carole Bailey, or her designee, will serve as an ex officio member of the committee.

How and when will I be notified if I am awarded the scholarship?

A representative of the Bar Association will contact the recipient by email or telephone, and then by regular mail, on or before December 16, 2024.

The U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is a 501(c)(3) organization, and is awarding this scholarship in furtherance of that status.

2019 Carole Bailey Scholarship Winner

This year’s Carole Bailey Scholarship recipient is Thomas Gooding. Thomas’ essay was chosen “best” out of over 60 submissions and he will receive a $5,000 scholarship! Thomas attends Georgetown University Law School and wrote, as did all applicants, about the privilege and power of a public service vocation and what that means to him. He is a very worthy winner and thanks to the Judges who had the pleasure of  rating the excellent candidates this year.

2014 Carole Bailey Scholarship Winner

The winner of the 2014 Carole Bailey Scholarship is Xheni Llaguri, a third year law student at the University of Maryland, Francis King Carey School of Law.  Before law school, Ms. Llaguri taught elementary grade students in the Teach for America program.  She has demonstrated additional dedication to public service, working in various capacities involving such issues as homelessness, immigration and naturalization, and health law.  With her law degree, Ms. Llaguri intends be an advocate for students with special needs and promote equal opportunity education.

The bar association received more applications this year than in any previous year.  As with last year, the quality of the applications was truly impressive, especially with regard to the commitment to public service exhibited.  The bar association welcomes submissions from this year’s applicants again next year, so long as they have not completed their legal education.

2013 Carole Bailey Scholarship Winner

The winner of the 2013 Carole Bailey Scholarship is Andrew Murray, a first year law student at Vanderbilt Law School. Before law school, Andrew worked for several years in the social services field and intends to become an advocate for marginalized people.

The bar association received a large number of applications, most of which were highly meritorious and deserving of substantial praise. The scholarship committee was very impressed by the commitment to public service exhibited by all the applicants and welcomes them to compete again next year as long as they have not completed their legal education.

2012 Carole Bailey Scholarship Winner

The winner of the 2012 Carole Bailey Scholarship is Jessica Emerson.  Jessica is a 3L at the University of Baltimore School of Law.  Both before and during law school, Jessica has done a great deal of work helping survivors of sexual exploitation.  She also has specific plans to have a large impact in this area in the future.  Congratulations to Jessica!

Jessica Emerson (left) and Carole Bailey (right)

The Private-Bar Pro Bono Pilot Program Committee of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is pleased to announce.

Under the Pilot Program’s Standard Operating Procedures, the decision to refer a pro se plaintiff is entirely within the discretion of the judge assigned to the case, and the program applies only to pending cases.  When the Court issues a referral order, the Bar Association, acting through the Committee, will notify counsel who have registered for the program that the pro se plaintiff has been referred, and will also forward basic information about the case provided by the Clerk’s Office.

After receiving notice of a referral to the pilot program, if you are interested in representing the pro se plaintiff in a particular case, you will notify the Bar Association, and the Bar Association will in turn provide your contact information to the pro se plaintiff.  As with any attorney-client relationship, the pro se plaintiff’s decision to engage counsel, and your decision to accept the case, will be between you and the pro se plaintiff.

If the pro se plaintiff engages you, you must notify the Bar Association within 45 days of the referral order, and also file with the Court a motion to substitute counsel within 60 days of the referral order.  If there is no agreement for pro bono representation in the case, the Bar Association will notify the Court within 45 days of a referral order.

The Bar Association encourages private practitioners to register for the pilot program.  To register, simply complete the form available here and email it to the Court, at uscfc_probono@ao.uscourts.gov.

** Participation in the Pro Bono/Attorney Referral Pilot Program is voluntary.  The pro se plaintiff has no obligation to retain a participating attorney, and the participating attorney has no obligation to accept a case.  All matters concerning the attorney-client relationship, including a potential attorney-client relationship, are governed by the respective attorney’s State Bar rules of professional conduct and the Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims.  The Bar Association does not endorse or recommend any participating attorney, and provides no assurances concerning a participating attorney’s qualifications or competency.  The Bar Association does not represent any party and is not responsible for any fees or costs.  Under the Pro Bono/Attorney Referral Pilot Program, the Bar Association has no obligation to obtain suitable counsel for a referred plaintiff.  The Bar Association has no role in the decision to refer a case to the pilot program, and does not make any representation regarding the merits of any party’s position in a case.  Referral of a case to the pilot program by the Court of Federal Claims is discretionary and is not an indication of the assigned judge’s assessment of the merits of any party’s position.  The Bar Association’s role is limited only to notifying program participants about a potential representation opportunity and facilitating communication between the potential attorney and the pro se plaintiff.  

Members of the Bar Associations that are U.S. Government attorneys, including attorneys of the Department of Justice, will not participate in the Pro Bono/Attorney Referral Pilot Program.  Only private-bar members of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association may participate in facilitating the operation of the Pro Bono Pilot Program on behalf of the Bar Association.

The Young Lawyers Division (“YLD”) is an informal affiliate of the Bar Association.

ABOUT

YLD members are all current Bar Association members in good standing who have been admitted to practice before the Court for eight years or less (irrespective of age).  Among other things, the core mission of the YLD is:

• to assist the Bar Association in its purposes;
• to encourage participation by YLD members in the Bar Association as a whole;
• to provide a program of activities and projects specifically designed to be of interest and assistance to YLD members; and
• to serve the public, particularly those outside the legal profession, through projects and activities.

YLD membership is open to all current Court of Federal Claims Bar Association members in good standing who have been admitted to practice before the Court for eight years or fewer, regardless of age.  Please email for further details.

CURRENT EVENTS

There are no events scheduled at this time, but please check back!

PAST EVENTS

November 18, 2021 at 5:00pm
YLD Happy Hour

The Young Lawyers Division of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is hosting a happy hour on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 5:00pm – 7:30pm at Union Trust Bar.  Drink tickets will be provided on a first come first serve basis. This event is open to all CFC Bar Association members, who are encouraged to bring along prospective members.  We hope to see you there for our final event of 2021!

July 22, 2021 at 5:00pm
YLD Happy Hour

The Young Lawyers Division of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is hosting a happy hour on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at 5:00pm – 7:00pm at Union Trust Bar.  Drink tickets will be provided on a first come first serve basis. This event is open to all CFC Bar Association members, who are encouraged to bring along prospective members.  We hope to see you there!

March 19, 2021 at 5:30pm
Virtual Mixology Event

The Young Lawyers Division of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is hosting a virtual mixology event on Friday, March 19, 2021 at 5:30pm/EST. If you’re looking to brush up on your shaking and stirring techniques, create Insta-worthy garnishes or learn more about the history of booze and try your hand at trivia, this event is for you!  This event is hosted by a bartending pro, and you’ll learn how to make a ‘Jacked up Moscow Mule’ and a ‘Traditional Sour’, with a trivia break in between. Register for the event and you’ll receive a Zoom invitation and ingredient list to concoct your craft cocktails at home. This event is open to all CFC Bar Association members. We hope to see you there!

December 12, 2019 at 5:00pm
YLD Happy Hour

The Young Lawyers Division of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is hosting a holiday happy hour on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at Union Trust Bar.  Light food and drink tickets will be provided on a first come first served basis.  This event is open to all CFC Bar Association members, who are encouraged to bring along prospective members.  We hope to see you there!

September 19, 2019 at 5:30pm
YLD Happy Hour

The Young Lawyers Division of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is hosting a happy hour on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at Kellari Taverna.  Light food and drink tickets will be provided on a first come first served basis.  This event is open to all CFC Bar Association members, who are encouraged to bring along prospective members.  We hope to see you there!

June 20, 2019 at 5:30pm
YLD Happy Hour

The Young Lawyers Division of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is hosting a happy hour on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at Woodward Table.  Light food and drink tickets will be provided on a first come first served basis.  This event is open to all CFC Bar Association members, who are encouraged to bring along prospective members.  We hope to see you there!

March 4, 2019 at 5:30pm
YLD Happy Hour

The Young Lawyers Division of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is hosting a happy hour on Thursday, March 4, 2019 at Mazi Restaurant.  Light food and drink tickets will be provided on a first come first served basis.  This event is open to all CFC Bar Association members, who are encouraged to bring along prospective members.  We hope to see you there!

December 11, 2018 at 5:30pm
YLD Happy Hour

The Young Lawyers Division of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is hosting a holiday happy hour on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at Woodward Table.  Light food and drink tickets will be provided on a first come first served basis.  This event is open to all CFC Bar Association members, who are encouraged to bring along prospective members.  We hope to see you there!

October 25, 2018 at 5:30pm
YLD Happy Hour

The Young Lawyers Division of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is hosting a Law Day happy hour on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at Woodward Table.  Light food will be provided and drink tickets will be available on a first come first serve basis. This event is open to all CFC Bar Association members, who are encouraged to bring along prospective members.  We hope to see you there!

July 12, 2018 at 5:30pm
YLD Happy Hour

The Young Lawyers Division of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is hosting a Law Day happy hour on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at Woodward Table.  Light food will be provided and drink tickets will be available on a first come first serve basis. This event is open to all CFC Bar Association members, who are encouraged to bring along prospective members.  We hope to see you there!

May 1, 2018 at 5:30pm
YLD Happy Hour

The Young Lawyers Division of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is hosting a Law Day happy hour on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at Woodward Table.  Light food will be provided and drink tickets will be available on a first come first serve basis. This event is open to all CFC Bar Association members, who are encouraged to bring along prospective members.  We hope to see you there!

February 22, 2018 at 5:30pm
YLD Happy Hour

The Young Lawyers Division of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is hosting a happy hour on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Woodward Table.  Food and drink tickets will be provided.  This event is open to all CFC Bar Association members, who are encouraged to bring along prospective members.  We hope to see you there!

October 24, 2017 at 12:00pm
Brown Bag/Webinar:  E-Discovery

The YLD will host a Brown Bag presentation on E-Discovery at the headquarters of the Federal Circuit Bar Association. The event will be held from noon – 1pm EST, and will be streamed online for those who are unable to attend in person. The panelists include Judge Mary Ellen Coster Williams of the Court of Federal Claims, Sarah Himmelhoch (DOJ Environment & Natural Resources  Division), Michelle Litteken (Piliero Mazza), and Allison Stanton (DOJ Civil Division). Our distinguished speakers will cover the basics of e-discovery, its prevalence, and emerging issues. The Brown Bag/Webinar is free of charge for members of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association or the Federal Circuit Bar Association. The cost for non-members to participate is $10.00.

September 28, 2017 at 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Happy Hour at Woodward Table, 1426 H Street, NW

The Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division (YLD) hosted a Fall Happy Hour (including drink tickets and complimentary appetizers) on September 28^th at Woodward Table.  Much fun was had by all!

July 27, 2017 at 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Summer Happy Hour at Woodward Table, 1426 H Street, NW

The Young Lawyers Division of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is hosting a summer happy hour on Thursday, July 27, 2017.  Drink tickets and complimentary appetizers will be provided.

May 1, 2017 at 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Law Day Social at Outdoor Courtyard, U.S. Court of Federal Claims

Please join the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association for a Law Day Social – all are welcome to attend!

December 13, 2016
Holiday Happy Hour at Bobby Van’s Grill, 1201 New York Ave, NW

The CFCBA YLD will host a holiday happy hour with free drink tickets (for the first 40 people to arrive) and complimentary appetizers.

December 7, 2016 at 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Avoiding the Pittfalls of Bad Etiquette
Steptoe & Johnson, 1330 Connecticut Ave, NW

Please join the YLD in welcoming Sharon Larkin and Benjamin Grimes for an interactive discussion on how to maximize opportunities while avoiding the pitfalls of inappropriate social media usage and improper business etiquette.

June 30, 2016 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Career Paths With The Court of Federal Claims
Followed by Happy Hour Reception at Blackfinn

The Young Lawyers Division of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association will be co-sponsoring a panel discussion event with the Federal Bar Association’s Summer Law Clerk Program, focusing on career paths with the Court of Federal Claims.  The panel will feature Nancie G. Marzulla, founding partner of Marzulla Law, Frank Singer, Senior Trial Counsel in the Environmental and Natural Resources Division at the Department of Justice,  Special Master Brian Corcoran, who presides over cases in the Court of Federal Claims’ Vaccine Program, and The Honorable Elaine D. Kaplan, a Judge at the Court of Federal Claims.  The speakers will discuss how they became involved with practice in and in front of the Court, their respective career paths, and the type of work they do currently.

Reception:  Blackfinn DC, 1620 I Street, NW 5:30pm – 7:30pm.  The first 40 guests will receive a free drink ticket redeemable during happy hour.  Complimentary appetizers will also be available.

May 19, 2016 at 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Happy Hour at The Park, 920 14th Street, NW

Please join the Young Lawyers’ Division (YLD) of the Cout of Federal Claims Bar Association for a happy hour.

All happy hour specials apply, including select discounts on food and drinks.

*Not a Member of the YLD?  No problem – all are welcome to attend!

March 30, 2016 at 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Happy Hour at Laughing Man Tavern, 1306 G Stteet, NW (metros:  Metro Center, McPherson Square)

Please join us for our second YLD happy hour of 2016 to take place in the reserved library basement room of Laughing Man Tavern.  All Laughing Man happy hour specials apply, including discounts on select appetizers and beverages.

February 4, 2016 at 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Happy Hour at Blackfinn

The Young Lawyers’ Division happy hour held on February 4, 2016 was a smashing success!  The Mardis Gras themed party, hosted by Blackfinn, featured Mardis Gras decorations, food and drink, and, of course, beads.  Over 40 lawyers attended this popular event, including Special Master Brian Corcoran and Altom Maglio, President of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association.  A great time was had by all, and we look forward to the next YLD event!

August 14, 2014
Creation of Young Lawyers Division – Inaugural “Meet and Greet” Event With Judges
Tayloe House, National Courts Complex, 717 Madison Place, NW

At the annual Judicial Conference, held on February 25, 2014, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association established a Newly Admitted Lawyers’ Division.  Craig Schwartz, an associate at Baker Botts L.L.P. and former law clerk for Judge Wheeler, was elected the Division’s inaugural President.  Mr. Schwartz was the winner of the Bar Association’s 2010 Writing Competition, as well as the Federal Circuit Bar Association’s 2011 Writing Competition.  In addition to clerking for Judge Wheeler, Mr. Schwartz formerly clerked for Chief Judge Carl Stewart of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

A forthcoming designate by the U.S. Department of Justice will serve as the Division’s President-Elect, and will become President at the Fall 2015 Judicial Conference.  Tanya Koenig, a trial attorney at the Department of Justice; Nathaniel Canfield, an associate at Venable LLP and former law clerk for Judge Christine Miller; Danielle Strait, an attorney at Maglio Christopher & Toale, P.A. and former law clerk for Chief Special Master Golkiewicz; and Meredith Daniels, an attorney at Conway, Homer and Chin-Caplan, P.C., were elected to the Division’s Board of Governors.  The Department of Justice will name two additional designates to the Board.  Meghan Phillips, a current law clerk for Judge Merow; Danielle Sgro, a current law clerk for the Office of Special Masters; and Richard Hagerman, a current law clerk for Judge Firestone, were elected Law Clerk Liaisons.  Ian Gaunt, an associate at Marzulla Law, LLC, was appointed Secretary of the Division.

All current members of the Bar Association in good standing who have been admitted to practice at the Court for less than ten years, irrespective of age, will be automatically enrolled as members of the Division.  Current Court of Federal Claims and Office of Special Masters law clerks also will be automatically enrolled as members of the Division for the term of their clerkships.

In 1958, at the urging of Charles Rhyne, then-President of the American Bar Association, Law Day was first proclaimed by President Dwight Eisenhower, setting aside the 1st of May of that year as the occasion to recognize our country’s “great heritage of liberty, justice and equality under law.”

In his proclamation, President Eisenhower especially urged the legal profession to take a leading role in promoting and participating in this observance. In 1961, Congress, by joint resolution, officially designated May 1 for the celebration of Law Day. The Court of Federal Claims Bar Association organizes a Law Day luncheon program featuring a guest speaker on matters of interest to the Court community.