Announcement: PEFA's 2024 Legal Bar Exam Grant Recipient

Through a thorough selection process with its grant selection committee, Professional Entertainment Female Attorneys (PEFA) has awarded its inaugural legal bar exam grant to Kisha Lyons, a recent graduate of Southwestern Law School.

Ms. Lyons impressed the selection committee with her application, previous experience, passion for entertainment law, and determination to achieve her dream no matter what obstacles were in her way. As a young single mother, Ms. Lyons pivoted from a career in marketing/advertising to her childhood dream of working in law. She worked full-time while attending Southwestern’s evening Juris Doctor program and has continued her work part-time as a Legal Associate at Walt Disney Pictures while she studies to sit for this July’s California Bar Exam.

In its first year, the PEFA Legal Bar Exam Grant had numerous applications from well-qualified female-identifying applicants from various California-based law schools and across all types of backgrounds. In making their final determination, the grant selection committee took into consideration each applicant’s personal statement, financial need, leadership, activities, awards, and community service. The award is the first of a grant that is intended to be awarded each year to a female-identifying applicant sitting for the California or New York bar exam who intends to pursue a career in entertainment law. The Bar requires a multitude of expenses, restricting accessibility for those otherwise unable to afford it. By alleviating that financial barrier, recent graduates can focus on their overall career goals and future plans and make sure they are properly equipped to enter the industry.

PEFA looks forward to providing resources to many more women within the entertainment legal world as the organization continues to grow.

If interested in helping support future grant recipients and changing the entertainment legal industry one female attorney at a time, individuals can donate here.