The John L. Calhoun Memorial Scholarship – Presented by Attorney Eric T. Kirk
Attorney Eric T. Kirk has been an ardent advocate for victims of negligence for over two decades. As a prominent attorney, he has successfully secured millions of dollars in compensation for victims of negligence and represented injured workers in multiple jurisdictions, ensuring they receive the benefits to which they are rightfully entitled. At his firm, Attorney Eric T. Kirk focuses his practice on personal injury law and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his clients’ cases. The firm operates with a commitment to making legal representation accessible to everyone through its Reduced Fee Program.
Eric T. Kirk is proud to sponsor The John L. Calhoun Memorial Scholarship as part of our commitment to fostering the next generation of dedicated legal professionals. John L. Calhoun was a trusted friend and colleague. As memorable as his professional accolades and accomplishments might be, John was an unforgettable man.
We believe in the power of education and wish to support students aiming for a career in law, particularly those passionate about personal injury law. The John L. Calhoun Memorial Scholarship offers a $1000 award, presented once per year to the winner selected from a pool of essays submitted by applicants.
Essay Questions
- As you embark on your college journey, what pivotal experiences or influences have led you to consider a career in law? Discuss how these have shaped your perspectives and aspirations for your legal career.
- The practice of law is as diverse as it is demanding. As you begin your college education, in which specific area of law are you most interested, and why? How do you believe this area aligns with your personal values, long-term goals, or commitment to justice?
- The legal profession can significantly impact society and individuals. As you start your college career with the intention of pursuing law, how do you envision leveraging your legal education to effect positive change in your community or the broader society?
Eligibility Criteria
- The John L. Calhoun Memorial Scholarship is open to students from all accredited U.S. undergraduate, graduate, or professional programs.
- High school seniors, GED holders, and community college students who are enrolled in or accepted into an accredited program are eligible.
- Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to bettering others’ lives, as evidenced in their essay.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for application.
- All applicants should be in good academic standing.
Submission Guidelines
Materials to be submitted include:
- A current resume in PDF format
- An essay answering the above questions (not less than 1000 words nor more than 1500 words)
- A current, unofficial transcript
Submission Deadline
All application materials must be submitted by between January 1 and March 1 of each year.
Award Announcement
The recipient will be announced in July.
Application Instructions
Scholarship applicants must submit all application materials by email to [email protected]
Please do not contact the office by phone. All queries should be directed to the above email.
Past Recipients
2019-2020 Andrew Turnbaugh
2020-2021 Kenine Dieuveuil
2021 – 2022 Hereford H.S Scholarship Fund [applied to 2022-2023 winner].
2022-2023 Cadence Combs
2023-2024 Jay Goetz
About John L. Calhoun
He was a 1966 graduate of Hereford High School, where he played varsity baseball for four years and was captain of the debate team. He attended Randolph Macon College on full scholarships, graduating in 1970 with a double major in History and French. In 1973 he received a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law. He was married to Annamarie “Trudy” (nee Maccentelli) Calhoun for 38 years. John was proud of his two children, their spouses, and his three grandsons. John embraced golf passionately.
He was a highly skilled legal advocate, and a member of the Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia bars, and admitted to seven federal courts. Over the course of his notable career, John tried many serious cases, including over 40 murder trials. In one area of law, John possessed an undefeated record, the only attorney I know to have such a distinction. He also taught paralegal courses at area colleges and authored several books on commercial collections law. He was possessed of interests, knowledge, and understanding, embracing all manner of human endeavor. Talking to John was a frequently humorous and always informative experience. He was known to spontaneously burst into a rendition of anything from blues standards to mid-70s country. John passed away in December of 2014 after an epic battle with cancer. I think John might also hold a record for the longest survival from diagnosis to the demise of his cancer type. The courage and ferocity of his battle surprised no one.
John frequently spoke of his enjoyment of growing up in Baltimore county, and practiced law, and raised his family there as a man. John and I often discussed the requirements for admittance to the practice of law, how those requirements grew more taxing over time, and varied, significantly, from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The convergence of these two topics led to the creation of the John Calhoun Memorial Scholarship.
R.S. Baltimore, MD,
