Southwestern Law School receives $1M gift for public service scholarships

Southwestern Law School has been awarded a $1 million gift from the There Is a Light Foundation, established by alumnus Arash Homampour.

The donation will fund the newly created There Is a Light Foundation Public Service Scholarships, providing 25 scholarships of $10,000 each annually over the next four years.

These scholarships, aimed at fostering a new generation of lawyers committed to making a positive impact in society, will be awarded to upper-level students across all Southwestern JD programs who demonstrate a strong commitment to public service, leadership abilities and academic excellence.

"When individuals possess an abundance of any resource - be it knowledge, time, power, money, or other assets - they have a responsibility to share it with future generations," Homampour said.

Darby Dickerson, president and dean of Southwestern Law School, said in a statement that the gift "reflects the impact of paying it forward.

"By helping our service-minded students serve their future clients, the impact of this gift will ripple throughout and beyond Los Angeles," she said

Homampour, a plaintiff-side consumer litigation attorney, said he carefully considered which area of law would benefit most from additional support and resources for aspiring lawyers. He concluded that public interest law, an often-underserved sector, presented an opportunity for his gift to make a substantial impact.

"In our field of law, we champion consumer rights and public safety. We ensure products, practices and infrastructure are safe in order to prevent the most devastating forms of loss: human life and debilitating injury," he said. "Through this work, we earn a living, but by sharing our expertise and resources with other attorneys, we can amplify our positive impact on society."

Homampour worked his way through Southwestern Law School before founding his own highly successful law firm in Sherman Oaks. He was named Outstanding Alumnus of the Year at Southwestern Law School's 33rd Annual Alumni Awards Gala in June.

"This scholarship is specifically designed for 100 public interest lawyers, who, despite their modest compensation, play a crucial role in shaping our world," Homampour said. "They uphold the rights of the oppressed, assist those in need, and provide access to justice for the underserved. I would encourage other lawyers to give back and give foreword."