A Year in Review: Law Firm Legal Diversity Pipeline Program 2013-14

This year high school students in seven cities across the country explored the legal profession through the NALP/Street Law Legal Diversity Pipeline Program. More than 400 students at 11 high schools were involved in the project—which included classroom visits from law firm and law school volunteers; field trips to the partner law firms; and opportunities to network, build mentoring relationships, and experience real-world legal issues.

The program made an impact on the students by teaching them about the law and legal careers. A student in Miami said, “The most important thing I learned was how the law is a part of so many everyday situations. I now know how important it is to understand the law!”

Pre- and post-program survey results indicate that the program is increasing students’ interest in and knowledge of legal careers:

• 76% of students said they were more interested in legal careers after participating in the program.
• “On a scale of 1 to 5, how much did the lawyers inspire you?” Average response = 4.11
• “On a scale of 1 to 5, how much did you learn about legal careers from the program?” Average response = 4.28

Timely and Relevant Legal Workshops

In addition to classroom lessons on practical law, every program site included a one-day student conference at the law firm. At these events, students took on the role of lawyers as they simulated challenging legal problems. Students negotiated mock contracts, argued in mock trials, testified at mock legislative hearings, and designed mock policies.

Attorneys from Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz (New York, NY) and White & Case (New York, NY)  successfully engaged high school students in a lesson on contracts lesson and a negotiation workshop. Students who worked with Holland & Knight (Miami, FL) also enjoyed stepping into a lawyer’s shoes in a negotiation workshop.

Bilzin Sumberg (Miami, FL) attorneys taught three classroom lessons: real estate, litigation, and cyberbullying—the real estate classroom lessons were a hit with students! Students who worked with Bernstein Shur (Portland, ME) had a lively discussion about First Amendment rights in the context of school policies on religious holidays. Attorneys from Wiley Rein (Washington, DC) sparked the interest of students through an engaging Fourth Amendment lesson and workshop.

Networking Opportunities

Each site featured a variety of networking opportunities during the law firm field trip. At these events students had the chance to engage in one-on-one conversations with attorneys, ask questions about the profession, and practice their networking skills. The students loved these activities and made some great connections!

Bernstein Shur, Hunton & Williams (Richmond, VA and New York, NY), McKenna Long & Aldridge (Washington, DC and San Diego, CA), and Wachtell involved their firms’ staff by hosting networking lunches for students. At McKenna in DC students met with employees from a variety of departments, and at McKenna in San Diego every student left with a business card. Kirkland & Ellis (San Francisco, CA) hosted a career fair where students practiced their newly-acquired networking skills with volunteers.

Law School Partnerships

Several sites included law students in program activities. These visits allowed students to meet law students and ask questions about the process of applying and completing law school and career options.

Bilzin Sumberg partnered with the University of Miami School of Law and students got a chance to visit the law school and meet current law students. Hunton & Williams partnered with William & Mary Law School and Wachtell partnered with New York University School of Law. Law students from Maine Law School participated in the teaching sessions with Bernstein Shur and the field trip was held at the law school. Law students from UC-Berkeley and UC-Hastings law schools participated in Kirkland & Ellis’s program.

Impacts

Students, teachers, and volunteers agreed that this year’s programs were fun, worthwhile, and enlightening. When asked whether this program heightened their interest in the legal profession, an overwhelming number of students said yes. Students were clearly receptive to program: one student stated, “I learned that lawyers are regular people, just like me. The only thing separating us is that they followed through on their determination to be a lawyer—and I can do the same!”

Special thanks to the following participating firms and law schools:

Sustainer Law Firms

Participant Law Firms

• Bernstein Shur (Portland, ME office)
• Holland & Knight (Miami office)
• Hunton & Williams (Richmond office)
• McKenna Long & Aldridge (San Diego and Washington, DC offices)
• White & Case (New York office)
• Wiley Rein (Washington, DC office)

Participant Law Schools

• University of California-Berkeley School of Law
• University of California-Hastings School of Law
• University of Maine School of Law
• University of Miami School of Law
• New York University School of Law
• Stanford Law School
• William & Mary Law School