From left to right: Profs. Victor Fleischer, Omri Marian, Executive Director Natascha Fastabend, Prof. Joshua Blank and Dean and Chancellor’s Professor Austen Parrish
IRVINE, Calif. (Nov. 4, 2024) — The University of California, Irvine School of Law is proud to announce a new scholarship program designed to support individuals committed to public service in tax law. Beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year, the UC Irvine School of Law Graduate Tax Program will offer a $20,000 tuition scholarship to admitted students who have volunteered or worked with a Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC). To qualify for the scholarship, the admitted student must have volunteered with a Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic for at least 125 hours during law school or must have been employed at a Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic for at least six months.
Low Income Taxpayer Clinics provide critical pro bono representation to low-income taxpayers who have tax disputes with federal, state or local tax agencies. LITCs also provide outreach and education for low-income taxpayers and taxpayers who speak English as a Second Language about taxpayer rights and responsibilities. At least 15 LITCs exist in California, including one with the Public Law Center in Santa Ana, and approximately 130 LITCs exist nationally.
The LITC Scholarship is among the first of its kind to provide support between a public university and Low-Income Taxpayer Clinics across the nation. This unique opportunity underscores the Graduate Tax Program’s commitment to reimagining legal education within the tax community and aligns with the Law School’s mission to foster public service and set up students for success as tax attorneys, judges, tax administrators and policy advocates.
By offering this LITC Scholarship, we hope to continue building a pipeline of talented, public service oriented tax professionals who are passionate about making a difference in their communities.
Austen Parrish, Dean and Chancellor’s Professor of Law
The scholarship, which guarantees a minimum of $20,000 in tuition assistance to qualified admittance, is designed to ease the financial burden for students who have served low-income communities through tax law. UC Irvine School of Law will support a minimum of five scholarship recipients annually, with additional funding available for exceptional students. The scholarships will be offered to qualified admitted students on a “first come, first served” basis and those who submit applications prior to January 15, 2025, will receive favorable consideration.
“By offering this LITC Scholarship, we hope to continue building a pipeline of talented, public service oriented tax professionals who are passionate about making a difference in their communities,” said Dean and Chancellor’s Professor of Law Austen Parrish. “We also aim to encourage more individuals to engage with LITCs, as they provide crucial assistance to underserved taxpayers.”
Those who have worked with LITCs often are strong candidates for the Graduate Tax Program. “Students and lawyers who have volunteered and worked with LITCs usually receive meaningful hands-on and practical training, and are well equipped to excel in our graduate program, which focuses on providing students with the doctrinal depth and the practical skills they need to excel in a tax law practice,” said Natascha Fastabend, the Executive Director for UC Irvine Law’s Graduate Tax Program.
About the Graduate Tax Program at UC Irvine Law
Established in 2019, UC Irvine School of Law’s Graduate Tax Program has quickly become one of the top tax LL.M. programs in the country, consistently ranked as the No. 1 program on the West Coast and among the top 10 nationally. The program’s innovative curriculum and commitment to public service provide students with a comprehensive legal education that emphasizes both academic excellence and practical skills development. For four years and counting, UC Irvine Law boasts a 100 percent employment rate for its graduates, many of whom work in public interest, government, and nonprofit sectors.
For more information about the Graduate Tax Program or the LITC Scholarship, please contact Natascha Fastabend, Executive Director for UC Irvine Law’s Graduate Tax Program: nfastabend@law.uci.edu.
About the University of California, Irvine School of Law
The University of California, Irvine School of Law is a visionary law school that provides an innovative and comprehensive curriculum, prioritizes public service, and demonstrates a commitment to equity within the legal profession. Nearly half of all UC Irvine Law’s J.D. graduates are people of color, and almost a third are first-generation students. At UC Irvine Law, we are driven to improve our local, national, and global communities by grappling with important issues as scholars, as practitioners, and as teachers who are preparing the next generation of leaders. The collaborative and interdisciplinary community at UC Irvine Law includes extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, dedicated staff, engaged alumni, and enthusiastic supporters. Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads, and sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest news and events at UC Irvine Law.