Welcome to the Official Website for the

3rd Annual
National Black Pre-Law Admissions & Preparation
Conference and Law Fair

The University of Houston - Central Campus

University Center

Friday, November 2, 2007

Houston, Texas

Aspiring lawyers from all over the country are convening in Houston this year!  Click here to find out where attendees are coming from.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

What Attendees Have Said About the 2006 National Black Pre-Law
Conference and Law Fair:

"I really enjoyed the National Black Pre-law Conference. Thank you so much for organizing it. . . . I just wanted to thank you for bringing all these resources together for students of color like me."

"I would like to take this time to say thank you for a great experience in Dallas, Texas. I made new wonderful friends and because of the conference I was able to make other contacts that could be of use to me and my future career, as well as obtain plenty of useful information from the various workshops and seminars. I appreciate the opportunity and hope many others can benefit from your future conferences."

". . . I really wanted to thank you so much for the opportunity of attending the Black Pre-Law Conference. . . . I just can't begin to tell you how that conference has truly, truly, truly changed my life and the way that I perceive the law school experience; but not only the experience, but also just being a legal professional following law school. So I just wanted to let you know that my heart is overwhelmed with joy at your taking the commitment and formulating the conference and persevering through the process and putting it into action. Just know that you've touched my life and you've touched the lives of many others through this conference. . . . Thank you so very much. . . . I just really appreciate your goal and your objective in starting this conference and your vision with getting more African Americans in law school."

"I must say that this past conference was a great networking opportunity, and an overall wonderful experience."

"I want to thank you so much for all that you have done for young African American students that are interested in going to law school. The conference that you started is a blessing for the community."

"I cannot begin to express the amount of knowledge, wisdom, and empowerment I gained over the three days of the conference. ... I wanted you to know how much the Pre-Law Conference meant to me. Thank you for the opportunity to attend such a wonderful, powerful event."

"This conference will give attendees the first-hand knowledge necessary to successfully apply and prepare for law schools.  Attendees will get the one-on-one contact with legal professionals ranging from lawyers to law school admissions professionals that they will never get anywhere else.  After leaving this conference, I felt confident that I could succeed in law school and the legal profession. . . . It meant a great deal to me that the attorneys on the panels were encouraging and honest in sharing their struggles while attending law school and taking the bar exam.  It especially meant a great deal to me that someone believes in a particular group of individuals so much that they would take the time to establish a conference addressing all of our concerns regarding law school and the legal profession."

"I had a lot of fun last year at the conference and I learned a lot.  Everything that I've learned at the conference I've taken and applied it to my school work and my life.  I'm really looking forward to the next conference."

What Attendees Have Said About the 2005 National Black Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair:

“It was excellent, very professional, well organized, and well represented. . . . Above and beyond [my expectations]. . . . The confirmation of my faith and belief that I am going [in]to law. . . I have no complaints - I enjoyed the entire conference." 

 “Fantastic.  The aura was positive. . . . Everyone was professional.  It was awesome. . . . All presenters were professional and knowledgeable.  They seem to understand how to articulate what blacks need to know.  They were straightforward. . . They gave great insight to real situations Black lawyers face.  It allowed me to actually see myself in the field. . . . It far exceeded my expectations.  All I can say is WOW!” 

“It was absolutely great!  It really MOTIVATED us to pursue our law degree!”  

 “I would like to first thank you for the opportunity to attend the pre-law conference in November of last year in Houston, Texas. That was by far one of the most invaluable experiences ever! . . . I felt that the conference truly gave me a leg up on many students and made my application process so much easier.” 

“I went to the Pre-Law Conference in Houston and I was thoroughly impressed not only with the content, but the way it was set-up, the panelists and moderators, but most of all it was the personal care, concern, and attention that [the conference chairperson] displayed to myself and other attendees I happened to be waiting with.  I knew then I wanted to be a part of the blessing she had so carefully crafted for us.” 

 

SPONSORS

University of Houston Chapter of the National Black Law Students Association   Mayer Brown LLP   Access Group, Inc.   Phoenix School of Law   Baker Botts LLP Thompson & Knight LLP   Kirkland & Ellis LLP     Dickstein Shapiro LLP   Orlesia A. Hawkins, Esq. Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody LLP

Click here to learn more about our 2007 Conference Vendors

The Goals of the Conference

The goals of the National Black Pre-Law Admissions & Preparation Conference are:

• To increase the chances of admission of prospective Black law students by emphasizing the importance of early strategic planning, understanding the highly competitive nature of the law school admissions process, and stressing the significance of academic preparedness and standing out from tough competition;

• To inform students about the academic rigors, demands and expectations of legal education, and to impart strategies to help them prepare for the challenging law school experience prior to actually beginning their law school careers;

• To promote an understanding of the financial aid process, money management, financial planning, and serious thought about debt and loan repayment;

• To share critical early information about preparation for the bar exam and its significance in earning the right to practice law;

• To encourage attendees to begin seriously thinking about the career paths they can pursue with a professional legal education including the practice of law and nontraditional paths;

• To provide a forum to openly discuss diversity issues including how African American students can contribute positively to the law school inside and outside of the classroom, and coping mechanisms for students who may face prejudice and discrimination as minorities in legal educational institutions and work environments;

• To expose law school aspirants to current Black law students and attorneys who will share their real-life experiences and who can potentially help them in their quest to become lawyers; and

• To give participants the opportunity to fellowship and network with others with similar higher education and professional goals in order to create positive support systems and accountability partnerships with other achievement-oriented peers.

Read the Message from the NBPLC Chairperson

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY FOR ASPIRING BLACK LAWYERS: FREE NATIONAL BLACK PRE-LAW CONFERENCE AND LAW SCHOOL RECRUITMENT FAIR COMING IN NOVEMBER 

HOUSTON, TEXAS - The Third Annual National Black Pre-Law Admissions & Preparation Conference and Law Fair 2007 will be held on Friday, November 2, 2007 at the University of Houston in the University Center in Houston, Texas.  This is the only comprehensive pre-law conference of its kind in the United States geared specifically toward the success of African Americans interested in law school.  After two previous successful and impactful years, it continues for its third year in Houston.  The event is being sponsored in part by Mayer Brown LLP, Phoenix School of Law, Baker Botts LLP, Thompson & Knight, and the University of Houston Black Law Students Association.

The ongoing conference theme is "Encouraging Excellence, Strategic Thinking, and a Competitive Mindset Among African American Law School Aspirants."  It was created as a proactive response to address the less than positive statistics relating to the number of African Americans getting into law school and becoming attorneys.  Blacks make up only less than 7% of law students and less than 4% of all attorneys nationwide.  Among the conference's many goals, it was designed to increase the chances of admission of prospective Black law students by emphasizing the importance of early strategic planning, understanding the highly competitive nature of the law school admissions process, and stressing the significance of academic preparedness and standing out from tough competition. Another component of this conference is to inform future law students about the academic rigors, demands, and expectations of professional legal education, and to impart strategies to help them prepare for the challenging law school experience prior to actually beginning their law school careers.  Additionally, it exposes law school aspirants to actual Black law students and attorneys who will share their real-life experiences and potentially serve as role models and mentors. Furthermore, it gives participants the opportunity to fellowship and network with others with similar higher education goals and professional aspirations in order to create positive support systems and accountability partnerships with achievement-oriented peers.  

Almost 100 community-minded law school administrative professionals, law students, law professors, judges, and attorneys from all over the nation will be featured in nearly 40 different sessions focusing on a number of areas, including the law school admissions process, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), personal and diversity statements, financing a legal education, summer preparation and academic support programs, the law school experience, law school academic success, the bar exam, career options, life as a lawyer, and the job search. There will be also be a Law School Recruitment Fair where pre-law students will have the opportunity to talk to law school representatives from over 100 law schools at all tier levels from across the country.  These schools' presence at the fair and desire to share what their schools have to offer demonstrates their interest in increasing diversity and particularly African American representation at their schools and in the legal profession.

In the late afternoon, interested participants can sign up to take part in the conference's signature interactive event - The Law School Admissions and Preparation Help Advice Clinic™, where law students, pre-law advisors, and attorneys will talk one-on-one with law school hopefuls about their personal admissions credentials, and answer any individual questions they might have about getting into law school, choosing a law school, and preparing for the law school experience. 

A brief morning pre-conference pep talk/motivational session will be given to explain to participants exactly what they should do to maximize their experience throughout the conference day. The conference will officially kick off with a powerful opening keynote address given by Attorney Reginald T. Shuford, Senior Staff Counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation's Racial Justice Program, and ACLU Attorneys of Color Recruitment and Retention Officer.  There will also be a dynamic closing keynote speech from Attorney Evett L. Simmons, Partner and Chief Diversity Officer of the Ruden McClosky law firm, and Chairperson of the American Bar Association's Presidential Advisory Council on Diversity in the Profession.  

After all sessions have ended, there will be a professional networking social/mentorship mixer where participants will be actively encouraged to practice their networking skills and mingle with fellow aspiring lawyers, law school administrators, law students, and attorneys, and will be encouraged to try to find potential mentors and contacts in a friendly and festive environment.  During this time, special recognition will be given in a "Celebration of Black Lawyers" to all Black attorneys in attendance who will be applauded.  Each attorney will be asked to plant a seed of confidence in our aspiring Black lawyers by committing to mentor at least one in attendance.  All pre-law attendees will be given free memberships to the Aspiring Black Lawyers Association.  

Make plans now to come out and be inspired, informed, and empowered to pursue your dream of becoming a lawyer.  This groundbreaking "must attend" event is COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE and open to the public.  High school students, college students, college graduates, working professionals, career changers, advisors, supporters, and parents who want to encourage and guide their children who are interested in law school are all encouraged to come out and take part in what this conference has to offer.  This is truly an unprecedented opportunity.  Don't miss out!  A complimentary continental breakfast will be served, as well as the chance to win prizes and giveaways.  Free appetizers and drinks will also be provided during the professional networking social.  Events like this one don't come along every day.  Sign up while spaces are still available.

Everyone is welcome.  However, due to space and seating limitations, pre-registration online, by phone, mail, or via fax or e-mail is required.  Walk-in registrants will not be turned away, but there is no guarantee that there will be room available for them to attend the sessions of their choice.  Further information on registration and updates regarding the conference schedule and featured speakers can be found at the official conference website at www.BlackPreLawConference.com. You may also call 281-247-4026 or send an e-mail to register@blackprelawconference.com.  

####

Do you know any lawyers who have gone above and beyond to help the next generation of Black lawyers?  Nominate them for the 2007 Legacy Builder Award. 

Click below for the nomination form

2007 Legacy Builder Award Nomination Form