New College of Law Scholarship Established

Family and friends of one of Arizona's best known lawyers have established a scholarship fund in the name of Phoenix attorney John J. Bouma.

Family and friends of one of Arizona's best known lawyers have established a scholarship fund for The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law.

John J. Bouma, chairman of Snell & Wilmer LLP law offices headquartered in Phoenix, was honored with the creation of the scholarship.

The announcement was made at a surprise gathering of his colleagues, friends and family who organized the tribute at the firm’s Phoenix office last month.

Building the scholarship base for UA law students has been a priority in the college, which is in the midst of a fundraising campaign.

In announcing the scholarship, UA College of Law Dean Toni Massaro said: “We make a promise to the future with every incoming class, pledging to help students craft careers as ethical, outstanding lawyers and community leaders.

Massaro also said Bouma, a longtime supporter of the UA, exemplifies the best traditions of the legal profession. "We’re proud to join those who love and admire him by making it possible for others to follow in his footsteps," she added.

The John J. Bouma Scholarship has already exceeded endowment level, and will be awarded to students selected from Arizona Law’s student body starting in the 2009-2010 academic year.

At Snell & Wilmer’s Chairman, Bouma leads 400 attorneys at one of the Southwest’s largest full-service firms.

Bouma's law practice is concentrated in complex commercial litigation, including antitrust, commercial and business torts, financial institutions, professional malpractice defense and alterative dispute resolution.

He has also been listed in several editions of The Best Lawyers in America and as a Top 50 Super Lawyer in Arizona by Law & Politics Magazine. He was also named among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America by the Business Journal.

A fellow of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, Bouma has also been active in leadership of the American Bar Association, the Arizona Bar Association, the Arizona Bar Foundation, the National Conference of Bar Presidents and the Center for Public Resources.

In the Phoenix area, Bouma has served on the Board of Directors of the Valley of the Sun United Way, the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, the Arizona Equal Justice Foundation, Greater Phoenix Leadership, the Phoenix Art Museum and many other organizations.