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HomePatricia Murphy Coleman Memorial Paralegal Scholarship



Patricia Murphy Coleman Memorial Scholarship


Since 1972, the Illinois Paralegal Association (IPA) has been a leading voice for paralegals in Illinois.  The IPA exists because of our founders’ efforts and the many IPA members who have given their time and talents to make the IPA the organization it is today.

In February of 2017 the paralegal field lost one of its champions, Patricia Murphy Coleman, when she passed away.  Pat was the first paralegal at the Chicago law firm of Vedder Price from where she retired in 2010.  She served as President of the IPA from 1986-1988, as well as holding many other offices, and created the IPA’s quarterly publication, Outlook.  She received the Local Leader of the Year award from the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and the IPA Lifetime Achievement Award.  Those who knew her best will tell you she was model of professionalism and dedication to the paralegal field.  

Each year, the IPA sells scholarship pins to raise funds for the scholarship.  At the Paralegal Day luncheon that takes place at the IPA’s annual Fall Education Conference, the recipient of the award is announced and presented with the scholarship certificate.

IPA presented its first Patricia Murphy Coleman Memorial Scholarship to Brianne Turner at the 2019 Fall Education Conference.  Funds for the scholarship were raised by donations through the purchase of IPA pins. Barkley Court Reporters graciously sponsored the initial purchase of the pins an One Legal has sponsored the 2019-2020 pin.  The IPA continues to sell pins for $10 each with every dollar received going to the scholarship fund.  To get your IPA pin and support paralegal education, contact Scholarship@ipaonline.org.
Brianne Turner, 2019 recipient of the Patricia Murphy Coleman Memorial Scholarship.

2019 Scholarship Pin, donated by Barkley Court Reporters.  The cost to purchase this pin is $10, with 100% of the proceeds going toward the  Patricia Murphy Coleman Memorial Scholarship Fund.
2020 Scholarship Pin, donated by OneLegal.  The cost to purchase this pin is $10, with 100% of the proceeds going toward the  Patricia Murphy Coleman Memorial Scholarship Fund.

What can you do?
  • If you are a paralegal student and would like more information on the scholarship, email Scholarship@ipaonline.org.
  • If you are a vendor partner and would like more information on sponsoring the scholarship pin, email Scholarship@ipaonline.org.
  • If you would like to make a monetary donation to the scholarship fund, email IPA@ipaonline.org.
  • If you would like to purchase a 2019 and/or 2020 pin, email IPA@ipaonline.org.
Details for the 2020 Scholarship, including the application, can be found here.

Thank you in advance for your support.