At Allard Law, Black students are welcomed into a vibrant, supportive and empowering community from day one. Through the leadership of the UBC Black Law Students’ Association, dedicated admissions pathways, and a wide network of academic, financial and wellbeing supports, you’ll find the tools, mentorship and sense of belonging you need to thrive. Whether you're exploring law school for the first time or ready to take the next step in your journey, Allard Law is committed to championing your success and celebrating your voice in the legal profession.
The UBC Black Law Students’ Association
Meet the heart of our Black student community. The UBC Black Law Students’ Association (BLSA) is a vibrant, student-led community that supports, mentors and advocates for Black law students at Allard Law.
Through networking events, community outreach, mentorship and collaboration with BLSA chapters across Canada, UBC BLSA helps create a sense of belonging from your very first day of law school.
Why Allard Law?
Allard Law is committed to fostering an equitable, anti-racist and empowering environment where Black students thrive. Across the law school and the broader UBC community, there are many resources to support your academic, personal and professional success.
From the Black Student Applicant Process and the work of the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Office, to scholarships, wellbeing and academic supports, peer mentorship, faculty & staff allies, and strong alumni networks, Allard Law offers a rich ecosystem of opportunities to help Black students feel supported, connected and set up to excel both during law school and beyond.
Admissions & Application Support
Black Student Applicant Process
Allard Law is committed to ensuring that Black applicants feel seen, supported and encouraged throughout every stage of the admissions journey. Through the Black Student Applicant Process, applicants can choose a pathway that ensures an expedited review by a majority-Black admissions subcommittee that recognizes the lived experiences of Black excellence that shape each candidate’s story.
LSAT Preparation Course for Black and Indigenous Applicants
Allard Law’s free LSAT Preparation Course for Black and Indigenous applicants offers tailored, comprehensive support for those taking the LSAT exam. In additional to access to an LSAT Prep instructor, the course also offers guidance from current law-students and admissions staff — all at no cost to participants.
With one-on-one advising, strategic exam prep, and pathways to application guidance, the course helps reduce financial barriers and builds confidence for first-time test takers and re-testers alike. By offering this preparatory program in collaboration with student organizations like BLSA and Indigenous Legal Studies; Allard Law seeks to expand access and ensure that aspiring Black and Indigenous lawyers receive the support they need from the very first step.
Academic & Career Supports
Allard Law provides Black students with a strong foundation of academic and career support designed to help them grow with confidence. From personalized mentorship and alumni guidance to experiential learning opportunities and public interest placements, students gain the skills and networks needed to succeed both in law school and beyond.
The Career Services Office, alongside peer and faculty support, offers tailored advising that recognizes the unique experiences of underrepresented students. Together, these resources help an environment where Black students can feel supported, connected and empowered to pursue their professional goals.
The Black Law Students and Lawyers Networking Reception is held in downtown Vancouver each summer to connect Black law students with Black lawyers. This event provides an opportunity to build community and connection. Students will meet potential mentors who can share experiences and insights about being a Black legal professional.
The Kaleidoscope Mentorship Program is open to all Allard Law students interested in participating in the 2L structured job recruit. This program pairs incoming second-year law students with an upper-year student who secured a job through the recruitment process during the previous year. In signing up for the program, students are welcome to identify any equity-seeking backgrounds to which they belong in order to be paired with an upper-year student who may share the same identity/ies. Upper-year students with similar identities may be able to share specific experiences or decisions they made during recruit, facilitating more meaningful mentorship.
Allard Law's mooting program provides an exceptional opportunity for law students to grow their legal research and oral advocacy skills by participating in a simulated court proceeding, with support from faculty and volunteer lawyer coaches. Allard Law students can apply to participate in the Julius Alexander Isaac Moot ("The Isaac"), which is a competitive, for-credit moot focused on areas of law in which issues of equity and diversity arise. The moot was named after the late Chief Justice of the Federal Court, Julius Alexander Isaac, who was the first Black judge to sit on the Federal Court of Canada.
Allard Law’s IDEA Leaders Program (Identity, Diversity, Equity, Allyship) is a three-day pre-orientation experience designed to help incoming students from historically marginalized communities feel supported, connected and empowered from the moment they arrive. Through workshops, mentorship, community-building activities and conversations with upper-year students, faculty, and practicing lawyers, participants gain early access to the knowledge, networks and resources that make the transition to law school smoother and more confident. The program continues throughout the year with academic support, career development opportunities, and community events, helping students build a strong sense of belonging and leadership within Allard Law’s diverse and vibrant community.
Featured Financial Aid & Scholarships
Each year, we distribute over $1 million in scholarships and bursaries to incoming and current students in recognition of their achievements as well as to those who demonstrate financial need.
Since 2021, 15 new awards have been created to support students who identify as Indigenous, Black or as a person of colour (IBPOC). Below are some featured awards.
Learn more about Allard Law awards and scholarships supporting IBPOC students or browse all awards available.
Award name | Amount | Eligibility summary |
|---|---|---|
| St. Pierre, Romilly, Nathanson Entrance Award in Law for Black Students | $15,000 (entrance award) | Incoming JD students who identify as Black; entrance award created to support incoming Black Canadian law students. |
| Peter A. Allard School of Law Entrance Award for Black Students | 1st year domestic tuition | Student entering JD who identifies as Black. Financial need may be considered. Applicants confirm they identify as Black on application. |
| Peter A. Allard School of Law Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award | $2,000 (varies by year) | Entrance award for students entering first year from communities that have been historically, persistently and systemically marginalized (made on recommendation from Allard Law). |
| Afreen Ahmed Memorial Award in Law | Awards totalling $2,000 | 2nd- or 3rd-year JD students from communities historically, persistently or systemically marginalized; financial need may be considered. |
| Kevin B. Westell Award in Law for IBPOC Students | Awards totalling $2,000 | Outstanding domestic JD students who identify as Indigenous, Black or as a person of colour (IBPOC). Preference for those who have excelled in criminal justice. |
| Catherine Chow Award in Law for IBPOC Students | $1,500 (two awards annually) | 2nd- or 3rd-year JD students who self-identify as Indigenous, Black, or as a person of colour; demonstration of financial need is considered. |
| Diane Nhan Award in Law for IBPOC Students | ≈ $2,300 (posted value varies) | 2nd- or 3rd-year domestic JD students identifying as Indigenous, Black or as a person of colour; preference/interest in arts/performing arts noted in donor text. |