Joseph M Gates Memorial Scholarship
The Colorado Claims Association offers educational scholarships to graduating high school seniors. Juniors in high school can also apply. Applicants are only eligible to receive one (1) scholarship award. Scholarships may be used for any accredited post high school education, including: college or university study, trade school, or technical college.
To qualify applicants must:
- Be the son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter of an insurance claim professional*
- Write an essay addressing the annual topic.
- Essay requirements:
- Minimum 500 words.
- Double spaced with footnotes and references.
- Cover letter applying for the scholarship and outlining who is your sponsor. (parent in the industry)
- Complete the application form
- A copy of your high school transcript or letter of acceptance to a College, University or Trade School
- Submitted by the deadline as published on the CCA Website.
*Insurance Claim Professional is defined as someone actively employed to handle, manage, investigate, or audit insurance claims.
*Applicants are only eligible to receive one (1) scholarship award *
The 2026 topic :
CCA 2026 Scholarship Topic:
Background: Private equity firms increasingly invest in other people’s lawsuits by giving money to plaintiff law firms in exchange for part of any winnings. This is called third-party litigation funding, and it is often not publicly disclosed. This practice has raised questions about transparency, fairness, and the broader impact on the civil justice system.
Articles for Reference (These materials are provided for background only. Applicants are encouraged to conduct their own research and are not limited to these sources):
https://www.crowell.com/en/insights/publications/private-equity-health-care-lawsuits
https://haubadvocacy.blogs.pace.edu/2025/09/02/who-really-wins-the-debate-over-litigation-financing/
https://www.iii.org/sites/default/files/docs/pdf/triple_i_third_party_litigation_wp_07272022.pdf
Question: Supporters say this kind of funding improves access to justice by helping more people afford to bring valid cases to trial. Critics say it can encourage more lawsuits, change how lawyers and defendants behave, and affect reaching reasonable settlements.
Should third-party litigation funding be allowed to remain secret, or should it have to be disclosed to the court and the other side? Explain your position. How might your answer change the legal industry (for plaintiffs, defendants, lawyers, or insurers)?
