Scholarship Established in Honor of Sharp Family, Generations of LawCats
University of Arizona Law alumnus and trial lawyer Matthew (Matt) L. Sharp (‘92) has established the Sharp Family Scholarship for JD students interested in pursuing a career in trial practice. The scholarship honors members of the Sharp family who have attended University of Arizona Law, including his daughter Andrea Sharp, a graduate from the class of 2021.
“This scholarship recognizes the importance of University of Arizona Law. While it played an important role in my career, the education that Andrea received, her growth and the leadership characteristics she developed in her three years were monumental, and the impetus for this scholarship,” shares Mr. Sharp. “I enjoyed seeing my daughter attend University of Arizona Law. She developed the academic and leadership skills to excel in our profession. Our family is indebted to the instructors and environment at the University of Arizona Law. I wanted to make the experience accessible for more people and help students with interests like Andrea’s in assisting consumers in access to quality legal representation.”
Andrea Sharp clerked for Nevada Supreme Court Justice Elissa Cadish upon graduation, nearly 30% of her graduating class also pursued a clerkship that year, a trend we've continued to see in this year's employment data. She is presently a Washoe County Public Defender.
Mr. Sharp currently runs his own firm in Reno, Nevada, where he represents individuals and businesses injured by the unlawful conduct of others, including negligence, malpractice, and insurance bad faith. Over the past decade, he has worked with judges and legislators to ensure equal access to our justice system by testifying before the Nevada Legislature on a wide range of legal issues.
He has served as president of the Nevada Justice Association and is on the Board of Governors for the American Association for Justice. These two organizations represent individuals and businesses injured by the unlawful conduct of others. Additionally, he has served on the Nevada Insurance Commissioner’s Board for Property and Casualty Insurance, where he works to help ensure that insurance laws work for everyone, including those consumers defrauded by insurance companies.
Mr. Sharp was recently named the 2023 Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Nevada Justice Association whose mission is to improve the civil justice system and ensure that the people of Nevada have undiminished access to the courts. He is only one of two lawyers in Nevada to have won the award twice.
"It gives me confidence to know that there is a family who saw potential in me and is willing to invest in my legal education.”
The inaugural Sharp Scholar was named during the 2022-23 school year to rising second-year law student Laura Falk.
“I am grateful to be the first Sharp Scholar. The generous award gives me more flexibility to pursue a career in public interest without significant financial burdens. It also gives me confidence to know that there is a family who saw potential in me and is willing to invest in my legal education,” says Falk.
Laura Falk
In addition to the University of Arizona’s location, Falk says the vast scholarship opportunities offered to students was an important factor in her choice to attend University of Arizona Law.
“The range of outdoor activities was amazing, and everyone I met, both at the law school and in town, was friendly. It was also important to me to minimize debt, and I was so impressed with the scholarships at Arizona Law,” says Falk.
Although still early in her law school journey, she is interested in prosecution, and would like to use the next couple of years to explore internships and externships with state and federal government agencies and to participate in the criminal prosecution clinic.
“This summer, I am looking forward to learning more about the court system by externing at the U.S. District Court here in Tucson,” says Falk.
Scholarships at University of Arizona Law
Arizona maintains one of the lowest law school tuition rates in the country. Last year roughly 92% of JD students received a scholarship. For more information on how to get involved with the University of Arizona Law’s scholarship program, contact Senior Director of Development Megan O’Leary at moleary@arizona.edu or give directly through the link below.