The El Segundo family lawyers at Skarin Law Group have awarded the firm's 2026 Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship to Ava Tyler, a student at California Northern School of Law who is preparing for a career advocating for families and survivors of domestic violence. The $1,000 scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to helping families in need.
In her winning essay, Ms. Tyler described teaching herself family law as a self-represented parent protecting her children, an effort that led to a formal complaint with the Judicial Conduct Board. For the past fifteen years, she has helped other survivors start businesses and reach financial independence at no cost to them. She also completed the 40-Hour Domestic Violence Advocate Training Program through Rainbow Services. Ms. Tyler recently purchased a home that she plans to turn into a shelter where survivors and their children can rebuild their lives. After law school, she hopes to return to the Los Angeles or San Diego area to continue that work.
The award carries significance beyond a single student's recognition. Family law attorneys often witness firsthand how legal knowledge can determine whether a family in crisis secures safety and stability. Matthew K. Skarin, founder of Skarin Law Group, emphasized that point in his announcement to Ms. Tyler. "Teaching yourself family law as a pro se litigant, seeing that fight through to a complaint with the Judicial Conduct Board, and then spending the next fifteen years helping other survivors get on their feet is exactly the kind of leadership this scholarship was created to recognize," he wrote. "As a family law attorney, I see every day how much a knowledgeable advocate matters to families in crisis."
The firm's commitment extends to future applicants and to families navigating divorce or custody matters. Students interested in applying in future years can learn more about the Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship, while families facing a divorce or custody matter may reach out to the firm's attorneys with questions. The scholarship thus serves a dual purpose: it supports the next generation of advocates while highlighting the broader need for informed legal guidance in family law.
Skarin Law Group is a family law firm based in El Segundo, California, serving clients throughout Los Angeles County. The firm handles divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, paternity, parental rights, and premarital agreements. Founder Matthew K. Skarin is a Certified Family Law Specialist and a Certified Public Accountant who brings financial insight to every case. The firm is dedicated to protecting the future of every family it represents.
For readers, the announcement underscores a practical reality: access to knowledgeable legal advocacy can shape outcomes for families in crisis. Ms. Tyler's recognition also signals growing attention to the role of survivor-led support networks in building long-term financial and housing stability. As the legal profession continues to grapple with gaps in representation for self-represented litigants, initiatives like this scholarship may encourage more students to pursue family law and advocacy work.
