preLaw Magazine - Spring 2008 - (Page 35)

places along the path to the legal profession at which members of minority groups are most likely to fall by the wayside. And most have found that it begins as early as preschool. Ruthe Ashley, chair of the ABA Presidential Advisory Council on Diversity in the Profession, said the council is focusing on extending the pipeline initiative from preschool to the profession. “We have to take it all the way from preschool to elementary school and beyond,” Ashley said. “There are wonderful diversity initiatives in each area and we want to find those areas and really try to focus on populations that haven’t been focused on.” Two of those areas officials are focusing on are Albuquerque, NM, and their Native American population, and California’s Latino population. Mike Lee, a 2L at Drexel University College of Law, agrees that success in early education is vital for achieving in higher education. “When I talk to young children today, I'm saddened by the hopelessness they express about their future, and the disconnection between their environment and the rest of the country,” he said. “This indifference towards the future leads to short-term planning and short-term living. Changing this outlook is necessary for any increase in diversity.” Lee said the decrease in minority applicants is directly related to decreases in high school graduations and increases in incarcerations. That’s where law schools and students can step in to play a very important role in increasing diversity in the legal field. “Law students play a pivotal role in increasing diversity by reaching out to their communities to serve as mentors and role models,” he said. “Giving children physical proof that people care about them, and that people that look and sound like them are successful is the most important thing a minority can do with their law degree.” But the legal community can’t do it on its own, and the many areas to focus on don’t provide any easy answers. Law school provides the bridge, Ashley said, to not just grow lawyers, but to grow leaders. Early education and support is an important piece of the equation. “Let’s get these kids and create the support,” she said. “That’s where we really make a difference — when we all work together.” Law schools as an institution can help by growing Pro Bono programs similar to what Drexel law is doing, Lee said. Instilling in young professionals the importance of giving back will make these professionals more likely to give back as they advance in their careers. Law schools can also join firms in creating partnerships with area high schools to create interest in the law. “The more the legal community shows that it cares, the more minorities will care about the legal community,” Lee said. “Broadening these perceptions of what lawyers do and what lawyers can do is another role law schools need to play.” ■ Michelle Weyenberg, Jack Crittenden, Ursula Furi-Perry and Karen Dybis contributed to this report. What makes a great lawyer? At Suffolk University Law School, we’ve been helping talented young people become highly effective lawyers for more than a century. Our recipe? We start with your intelligence, curiosity, self-discipline and drive. Then we add our signature ingredients: • • Outstanding teaching and one-on-one mentorship. Perhaps the broadest, richest, curriculum of any American law school, including ﬁve specialized concentrations. Hands-on experience and career connections that spring naturally from our 21,000 alumni around the world and our unbeatable location in the thriving heart of Boston. A close, encouraging, welcoming community of classmates and professors who make it all worthwhile. Suffolk Law. Because you have the makings of a great lawyer. • • Suffolk University Law School 120 Tremont Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108-4977 617.573.8000 www.law.suffolk.edu Spring 2008 35 http://www.law.suffolk.edu http://www.law.suffolk.edu

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of preLaw Magazine - Spring 2008

preLaw Magazine - Spring 2008 Contents From the Editor For the Record Large Gender Gap Remains Among Political Hopefuls Man Charged in LSAT Scam Barry Dean Recognized New Report Examines Legal Ed Drexel Receives Accredidation New Mexico No. 1 for Hispanics A Film Journey in Law A Law Student at Last Debt Salvation Great Law Schools for Minorities Grad Opts Out of Big Firm Job Specialties Helpful Advice

preLaw Magazine - Spring 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.