Retired judge expands Adam Z. Rice Memorial Scholarship with mentorship program

As the Adam Z. Rice Memorial Scholarship enters its sixth year, recently retired Los Angeles County Superior Court judge Stuart M. Rice is expanding the nationally recognized program with a new mentorship component aimed at helping low-income law students not only afford--but also endure--the rigors of legal education.

Founded in 2020 to honor the memory of Rice's son, Adam, who was killed in a tragic accident while studying abroad the summer before his senior year at UC Berkeley, the needs-based scholarship has awarded more than $88,500 to 53 students at ABA-accredited law schools nationwide. Now, Rice is aiming to do more.

"Once we give them a check and a certificate, I really don't have major contact with most of them," Rice said. "We're just in touch with a couple of them. I don't know how they're doing, and I want to be able to help them feel more comfortable if they're having trouble with a class or just need someone to give them a pep talk...we're going to not just provide money but also make free mentoring available for them throughout their law school education, starting this year."

The scholarship's unique two-minute video application not only assesses need and academic interest but also gives the selection committee a more personal view of each applicant.

"We ask for a two-minute video, and I have to say, you really learn more about somebody when you see them, when you get a sense of who they are and what they talk about. That makes a big difference," Rice said. "My wife and I lead the selection committee, but we have a large group of judges working with us."

The program was born out of Rice's years-long mentorship of a student who grew up in extreme poverty, surrounded by gang violence, and with no family history of high school completion--yet who made it to college entirely on his own.

"When he wanted to go to law school, he asked me if he could spend the next year basically observing in my courtrooms after he finished a program he was in with me and a bunch of other students from Cal State Dominguez Hills," Rice recalled. "He felt that would help him on the LSATs if he was more exposed to English--not just English, but the English of the law."

The student earned a full ride to Syracuse Law School--his first time ever leaving California--and is now a practicing attorney and part of the scholarship selection committee.

"He sees things sometimes that I don't because of his own background--the way these kids respond to the world around them," Rice said.

The program's focus has always centered on supporting students who demonstrate both financial need and a desire to use the law to help others. Rice said none of the applicants talk about pursuing careers at corporate firms.

"They want to go into something that's helpful to people, kind of like a pay-it-forward attitude, and that's what one of the qualities we look for," he said.

Many applicants grew up without parental support, with personal stories that reflect extraordinary perseverance, and are the first in their families to attend college. Some came to the U.S. as children, leading often with younger siblings and without parents. Others have lived independently for years with no financial support.

"These experiences drive many of them toward careers in legal aid, housing, civil rights, or immigration law, motivated by their personal backgrounds and deep gratitude for opportunities made available to them in this country," Rice said.

The scholarship, administered through the California Judges Foundation--where Rice now serves as president--has grown steadily in size and scope. The annual academic prompt evolves with current legal issues. Topics have ranged from judicial independence and stare decisis to public health and artificial intelligence in the legal field.

The 2025 cycle, still open for applications, asks candidates to reflect on the doctrine of separation of powers in the U.S. Constitution.

Despite his retirement from the bench after 22 years--two as commissioner and 20 as a judge--Rice said he remains committed to ensuring this program makes a difference.

Rice's work with the California Judges Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of the California Judges of which he was President in 2017-2018, continues to support judicial education and outreach through charitable giving, including to law students and court-sponsored programs.

Adam's memory remains at the heart of the initiative.

"He would be very happy about it," Rice said. "Adam could have been a great lawyer, but he was much more interested in film and theater and comedy. He was heading toward a career probably in either film direction or film editing."

Adam had a deep compassion for the unhoused, Rice said, even as a young child.

"The fact that it's all about education and helping people who didn't have the financial means that he grew up with... I think providing a needs-based scholarship is something he would very much relate to."

In July 2014, while studying abroad in Brighton, England, Adam was struck by a car while crossing the street. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and died within hours.

"We got that horrific phone call and flew to England to say goodbye to him," Rice said. "It would have been fine if he broke his leg or his hip, but unfortunately, he did not survive the head trauma. It's been almost 11 years."

Each July 4th weekend, the Rice family marks the anniversary of Adam's passing on Cape Cod with college friends--an annual tradition that mixes joy and grief.

"He'd be 32 now," Rice said. "My daughter's about to get married, and it's a very happy time for our family, but Adam's loss is deeply felt even during the good times."

Still, Rice hopes that through this scholarship, Adam's legacy can continue to inspire.

"We have been inspired by these amazing young people who have overcome tremendous adversity and brought themselves to the cusp of a career in the law," he said. "It is my goal as I enter retirement to add a free mentoring component for all applicants of the scholarship in the coming years."