"I love trial work ... I never want to stop learning, and I'm excited to see what the TLC Method will bring to my advocacy‘!" - David Rankin
Meet Our 2026 Rodney King Civil Rights Scholarship Winner
Trial Lawyers College’s first Rodney King Scholar, David Rankin, has served civil rights clients for 20 years, as counsel of record in hundreds of civil rights cases. His diverse practice includes jury trials, bench trials seeking injunctive relief and class actions. He represents victims of excessive force by police; prisoners subjected to inhumane conditions; families of prisoners who die in custody; protesters wrongfully arrested while exercising their First Amendment rights; unlawfully detained immigrants; and arrestees who just happened to be innocent. David’s clients are sometimes mentally ill, low-functioning, addicted or impoverished, both members of large classes and alone and in fear, both loved and unloved—and all are endowed with the rights set forth in the United States Constitution.
Among David’s professional highlights are the largest single-plaintiff civil rights settlement in New York state history, secured for a teenage prisoner at Rikers Island who survived a suicide attempt with a severe traumatic brain injury. With others, he also obtained what is believed to be the largest class action settlement in American history for First Amendment protesters, on behalf of more than 1,300 people arrested in New York City following the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
David and co-counsel also obtained a $9.25 million jury verdict for the family of a 25-year-old inmate beaten to death by three correctional officers. Although the death was initially classified as an asthma attack, David’s examination of the pathologist revealed the connection between the deep bruising on the inmate’s back and the onset of the attack. The jury rejected the officers’ self-defense claim, and the verdict set a new record for the Northern District of New York at the time.
David’s work has been reported by The Marshall Project. He has provided training for civil rights lawyers at the Center for Constitutional Rights and numerous CLE programs, and he has lectured at Harvard Law School, Yale Law School and all of the New York City law schools.
Trial Lawyers College honors the brave, creative and courageous work that David, like each of the exceptional applicants for the King Scholarship, commits in service to his clients. In fighting for the civil rights of “the least of these,” David Rankin stands up for us all.
The Rodney King Civil Rights Scholarship
The Trial Lawyers College Rodney King Civil Rights Scholarship honors the enduring legacy of Rodney King, and the movement for justice his story continues to inspire. This scholarship reflects TLC’s commitment to providing civil rights lawyers training and support to empower them in the battles of this unique and profoundly important area of trial practice.
The scholarship also recognizes the lifelong civil rights advocacy of Milton Grimes, who served as King’s lead trial attorney, winning a $3.8 million civil judgment in King’s 1994 landmark civil rights jury trial. Milton Grimes, a longtime faculty member and former Vice-President of Trial Lawyers College, dedicated his career to training lawyers to fight for the voiceless and defenseless.
From left to right: Rodney King, Milton Grimes, and Rosa Parks
March 23, 1994 file photo shows Rodney King, second from right, leaving the United States District Court in Los Angeles with Milton Grimes, far left, and two unidentified men.(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, file)
Applications for the 2027 Scholarship Opening Soon!
Eligibility
This scholarship serves as a living tribute to Rodney King’s impact, to Milton Grimes’ bravery and skill as a civil rights trial lawyer, and to Bill Trine’s dedication to Trial Lawyers College. It will support civil rights attorneys who embody their shared spirit of courage, justice, and perseverance.
Primary
Practicing attorneys who have committed to work in civil rights litigation as a regular part of their practice, and who have demonstrated substantial personal engagement in civil rights issues. Applicants should have litigated, in the role of lead counsel or “second chair,” at least five civil rights cases to final disposition.
Secondary
An experienced trial lawyer working in public interest, indigent defense, or advocacy on behalf of underserved populations, provided that the applicant has served as lead counsel in at least three jury trials on behalf of injured plaintiffs or criminal defendants.
Selection will follow principles of inclusivity, with attention to underrepresented communities.
Award
Full tuition to the 3-Week Trial Lawyers College plus up to $1,000 in travel expense.
Recognition
The recipient will receive a commemorative plaque. The recipient’s name, accomplishments and recognition as a Rodney King Civil Rights Scholar will be publicized on TLC’s website and in TLC communications. The recipient will be recognized at the 3-week Trial Lawyers College and any subsequent TLC events they attend. The recipient’s work and story will be shared via The Warrior, website, email communications and alumni channels.
Meet Bill Trine
The Rodney King Civil Rights Scholarship is made possible through the vision and generosity of one of the original founders of Trial Lawyers College, retired Boulder, Colorado trial lawyer Bill Trine. Since 1994, Bill has served TLC and its people as a mentor, a faculty member, a board member and an advisor. His work as a trial lawyer was enormously consequential, changing the broken lives of the injured plaintiffs and grieving families he represented. Bill is a key contributor to the development of the TLC Method, founded in psychodrama, and its ability to reveal truth and open hearts – in the courtroom and in our work with our clients.
Click here to read Bill Trine’s article for the Summer 2025 issue of The Warrior about The Rodney King Civil Rights Scholarship.
