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WORKSHOP SESSIONS & PANEL DISCUSSIONS FOCUS: ADMISSIONS Panel Discussion Mock Law School Admissions Committee: How Application Packages Are Evaluated Panelists Carolyn Dennis, Director of Admissions, Willamette University College of Law (Salem, Oregon) Cassandra B. Jeter, Esq., Assistant Director of Admission and Financial Aid, Capital University Law School (Columbus, Ohio) Fareza Khan, Director for Admissions, St. Thomas University School of Law (Miami Gardens, Florida) Margie L. Martin, Esq., Director of Enrollment Management and Recruitment, Hofstra University School of Law (Hempstead, New York) Moderator: Michelle Allison, Esq., Associate Director of Admissions, Thomas Jefferson School of Law (San Diego, California) Description In a mock law school admissions committee meeting, law school admissions professionals will discuss fictitious applicants openly as if they were in an actual law school admissions committee meeting. The purpose is so that attendees can witness how admissions committee members really think and what they they are looking for in selecting competitive applicants. Participants will gain the opportunity to follow along while looking at practical examples of the credentials being considered by the admissions committee at Any Law School USA. This panel discussion will provide invaluable "insider" insight students need to better understand how the highly competitive law school admissions selection process really works. Panel Discussion Keeping It Real: What Every Prospective Law Student Needs to Know Before Starting the Admissions Process (Admissions Deans Panel) Panelists Noe Bernal, Assistant Dean for Admissions, Villanova University School of Law (Villanova, Pennsylvania) Victoria Taylor Carter, Esq., Associate Dean of Admissions, Charlotte School of Law (Charlotte, North Carolina) Virginia M. Keehan, Esq., Assistant Dean for Admissions, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law (Dallas, Texas) Tracy L. Simmons, Esq., Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid, Chapman University School of Law (Orange, California) Moderator Reginald McGahee, Esq., Dean of Admissions, Howard University School of Law (Washington, DC) Description Please join a distinguished panel of law school admissions deans as they share the "real deal" factors that contribute to more students of color realizing their dream of attending law school. This session will be filled with tough love and practical advice so that each aspiring law student will be empowered to accomplish their goals. Workshop Session Does Being Black Help? Race, Affirmative Action, and Law School Admissions Michael Burns, Esq., Associate Dean of Admissions, DePaul University Law School (Chicago, Illinois) Description Does being Black help? Do law schools really care about racial, cultural, and ethnic diversity? To what extent may law schools lawfully consider race as a factor in the law school admissions process? Why should race matter? The United States Supreme Court clarified the law with respect to the extent to which race can be used in college and law school admissions. This session discusses: (1) the current status of law regarding the use of race and ethnicity in law school admissions; (2) why diversity is critical to the process of legal education; and (3) strategies and tips for students of color for articulating their strengths and maximizing opportunities for admission and merit-based scholarships.
Panel Discussion The Most Common Mistakes Law School Applicants Make That Ruin Their Admissions Chances Michelle Allison, Esq., Associate Director of Admissions, Thomas Jefferson School of Law (San Diego, California) Michael W. Boylen, Assistant Dean of Admissions, Roger Williams University School of Law (Bristol, Rhode Island) BarbaraKaye Miller, Esq., Dean of Admissions, Phoenix School of Law (Phoenix, Arizona) Julie Tigges, J.D., Director of Admissions, University of Minnesota Law School (Minneapolis, Minnesota) Moderator: LaTasha Mabry, Law Student, The University of Houston Law Center (Houston, Texas) Description Many law school applicants make mistakes, which if avoided, would keep them in the running for successfully gaining admission into law school. Learn what some of the most common mistakes are that applicants make so that you won't make them and can increase your chances of being a success in the law school admissions process - a competitive one which has little tolerance for such blunders. Workshop Session Getting
Into Law School: Beyond the
LSAT and GPA Tamara Martinez-Anderson, Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Michigan State University College of Law (East Lansing, Michigan) Anitra Abdullah-Levy, Third-Year Law Student; President, Black Law Students Association, Oklahoma City University School of Law (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Description While the LSAT is a reliable predictor and a strong undergraduate record matters – we know that there are exceptional individuals who belong in the legal profession with below average numerical indicators. Join admission professionals who know first-hand about outperforming the numbers. You’ll get tips on how to create a competitive application file and learn about what attributes can make the difference in the selection process. You will receive information about the pros and cons of conditional admission programs and you will get advice on how to identify schools where you can be successful in the law school application process and beyond. Workshop Session Your First Legal Argument: The Building-Block Approach to Applying for Law School Presenter Frank Guliuzza, Ph.D., Chairman, Department of Political Science & Philosophy, Pre-Law Adviser, Weber State University (Ogden, Utah) Description This workshop will provide a strategy that will enable the student to provide information to the law schools each step of the way through the application process based upon what they already know. It helps the student provide a persuasive and comprehensive case for admission. Panel Discussion The Role of Diversity in the Law School Admissions Process and How to Make Your Diversity Work for You in Earning Admission Panelists Dayna Matthew, Esq., Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Law, University of Colorado School of Law (Boulder, Colorado) Monique A. McCarthy, J.D., Assistant Director of Admissions - Recruitment, University of St.Thomas School of Law - Minneapolis (Minneapolis, Minnesota) BarbaraKaye Miller, Esq., Dean of Admissions, Phoenix School of Law (Phoenix, Arizona) Patricia Wilson, Esq., Professor of Law, Baylor Law School (Waco, Texas) Moderator: Marcus J. Jones, J.D., Admissions Counselor, Roger Williams University School of Law (Bristol, Rhode Island) Description The landmark 2003 Grutter v. Bollinger Supreme Court decision defines how diversity can be considered in the law school admissions process. This panel discusses the Bollinger decision, as well the law in the states of California, Washington, and Michigan which don't allow the consideration of race in admissions decision making. Panelists provide insight on ways students can demonstrate their diversity in a number of ways and how they can add something of value to the law school environment and to the legal profession through the information they submit in their application packages (e.g. personal statements, diversity statements, resumes). FOCUS: PERSONAL STATEMENT/DIVERSITY STATEMENT Workshop Session The Personal Statement and the Diversity Statement: Similarities, Differences, Tips and Techniques Presenter Collins Byrd, Assistant Dean of Admission, The University of Iowa College of Law (Iowa City, Iowa) Description: This workshop will cover both the personal statement and the diversity statement in law school admissions. The personal statement is a written piece that is used by law school applicants, and reviewed by law school admissions officers. Many law school admissions offices also request a diversity statement. Come and see what the differences are between the two documents, and learn about the role that each one plays in the law school admissions process. Also, attendees will gain some vital information about what makes a good statement, and what makes a statement dysfunctional. Workshop Session The Personal Statement and Secret Admissions Strategies Presenter Jay Cutts, M.A., Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews (Tijeras, New Mexico) Description After your GPA and LSAT score, this is the most critical part of your application. We will review exactly what the admissions committee is looking for and how to put together a Personal Statement that is highly effective, helps you stand out from the crowd and highlights your personal strengths. We will discuss special strategies that can help you get accepted even if your overall application is not as competitive as you would have liked. Students planning to attend this session should attend The LSAT and Career Decision beforehand if possible. FOCUS: LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST Workshop Session It's Not Just About Testing Well, But Being Extremely Well Prepared: What It Really Takes to Score High on the LSAT (Offered Twice) Presenter Alger V. Boswell III, Third-Year Law Student, Valparaiso University School of Law (Valparaiso, Indiana) Reginald McGahee, Esq., Assistant Dean of Admissions, Howard University School of Law (Washington, DC) Description The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is very important. It is a major factor in determining whether you will gain admission into law school. If you are serious about getting into law school, you can't afford to buy into the misconceptions that Blacks "don't test well" and use that as an excuse that there is no way you can earn a high score on this exam. Many prospective Black law students will never truly know how well they could have done because the truth is not that they don't test well, but they are not as well-prepared as they could be and may have not applied proven test-taking strategies. This session is designed to help African Americans better understand what the LSAT is, the role of the LSAT in law school admissions, and explain exactly what they need to do to prepare hard and smart in order to help ensure that they get the competitive scores that they need and that may reflect their true capabilities so they can earn a highly sought after spot in law school classes. Workshop Session The LSAT and Career Decision Presenter Jay Cutts, M.A., Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews (Tijeras, New Mexico) Description These two areas, while seemingly unconnected, are both critical to getting accepted. We will start by exploring what is on the LSAT and why the test can be difficult. We will discuss test anxiety and poor standardized test taking history and how these can be overcome. We will look at why timing strategy is critical to a strong and stable score. We will examine samples of actual LSAT questions and point out what makes them difficult. Test prep options, both self-preparation and professional prep will be discussed. Options for your college to establish free, grant funded LSAT prep will be gone over. Note that this session does not teach actual strategies for preparing. FOCUS: FINANCING LEGAL EDUCATION Workshop Session Paying for Law School Presenter Tamara Martinez-Anderson, Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Michigan State University College of Law (East Lansing, Michigan) Description Join this workshop for a realistic talk and advice about managing debt, increasing opportunities for assistance, and preparing for a future of loan repayment. Financing law school is about choices and consequences. Find out now how to make the right choices so that you get the results that will allow you to pursue your dream of pursuing a legal education. Workshop Session Financing Your Legal Education Presenter Martin Hernandez, Account Executive, Access Group (Fort Worth, Texas) Description Will you have enough money for law school? Come to this comprehensive session where we will discuss ways to obtain financing, make that money last, and position yourself for a successful financial future. FOCUS: ACADEMICS/THE LAW SCHOOL EXPERIENCE Panel Discussion Demystifying American Legal Education: How Law School is Radically Different from Your Undergraduate Education Panelists Cassandra Hill, Esq., Lecturer in Law, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law; Owner, Prep for Law (Los Angeles, California) Jamila Patten, Second-Year Law Student, University of Houston Law Center (Houston, Texas) Albert Roberts, Law Student, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas) Njeri Mathis Rutledge, Esq., Assistant Professor of Law, South Texas College of Law (Houston, Texas) Courtney Taylor, Law Student, Emory University School of Law; National Director of College Student Division, National Black Law Students Association (Atlanta, Georgia) Moderator: Jason A. Rose, Esq., Attorney at Law (Houston, Texas) Description In this discussion, panelists talk about the many differences between college education and professional legal education. They will examine everything from the way courses are taught to how students are tested. Many college students function under the misguided belief that law school will be similar to college but with a focus on the law. This session tears down the common misconceptions and tells future law students the truth about the academic demands, expectations, and daily grind that law school imposes. Most importantly, panelists will provide strategies and advice for students in order to become prepared and mentally ready for handling the academic demands and other relevant concerns that will impact their law school experience before they choose to enter the new academic territory of the strange land known as law school. Panel Discussion Beyond Academics: Taking Advantage of All Law School Has to Offer to Have a Successful and Well-Rounded Experience Panelists Latoya Colley, Third-Year Law Student, Texas Tech University School of Law; Director of College Student Division, Rocky Mountain Region, National Black Law Students Association (Lubbock, Texas) Cary L. Lee, Esq., Dean of Student Affairs, University of Mississippi School of Law (Oxford, Mississippi) Tiana Sanford, Third-Year Law Student, University of Houston Law Center ; National Director of Membership, National Black Law Students Association (Houston, Texas) Sean Villery-Samuel, Law Student, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University; Chair, NBLSA Social Action Committee (Houston, Texas) Nick Wallace, Associate Director of Admissions, University of Minnesota Law School (Minneapolis, Minnesota) MODERATOR: Toni M. Wallace, Esq., Associate, Spain Hastings Ward Carey & Chambers (Houston, Texas) Description: Although academics disproportionately make up a huge part of the law school experience due to the volume of reading and preparation required daily, it is vital for students to try to have a well-rounded experience and not isolate themselves or focus solely on their academic classes. Panelists discuss the many co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities available (e.g. legal scholarly journals, special interest and affinity groups, moot court, mock trial, client counseling and negotiation teams, leadership positions, sports, research assistantships, study abroad opportunities, etc.) in the law school environment. They explain how involvement in such activities can help develop and strengthen other skills highly valuable inside and outside of the law profession, and contribute to a more positive overall law school experience for the student. Panel Discussion Making the Transition from College to Law School: How to Prepare for the Academic Demands of a Professional Legal Education Before Starting Law School Panelists Stanley L. Evans, Esq., Assistant Dean for Students, University of Oklahoma College of Law (Norman, Oklahoma) Shirley A. Jefferson, Esq., Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Diversity, Vermont Law School (South Royalton, Vermont) George Reff, Jr., Third-Year Law Student, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University; President, TMSL Black Law Students Association (Houston, Texas) Lauren Winters, Esq., Visiting Instructor, Gonzaga University School of Law (Spokane, Washington) MODERATOR: Ronda L. Harrison, Esq., Associate Director of Academic Assistance and Student Counseling, South Texas College of Law (Houston, Texas) Description: This session discusses what prospective law students should do to best prepare themselves for the academic rigors of law school. Recommendations for preparation strategies and solid resources to utilize will be provided. This panel discussion is especially for those who want to know what they can do to before starting law school to prepare themselves for the challenges of the law school experiences and what to do whatever is necessary to get ready for the experience. Panel Discussion Emotionally Surviving Law School: Things You Never Thought About But Need to Know
W. Bernard Goudeau, III, Esq., Attorney – Gas, Power & Renewables Transactions, BP America Inc. (Houston, Texas) Ronda L. Harrison, Esq., Associate Director of Academic Assistance and Student Counseling, South Texas College of Law (Houston, Texas) Marcus J. Jones, J.D., Admissions Counselor, Roger Williams University School of Law (Bristol, Rhode Island) George Reff, Jr., Law Student, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University; President, TMSL Black Law Students Association (Houston, Texas) Bryan Snoddy, Esq., Associate, Baker Botts L.L.P. (Houston, Texas) MODERATOR: Jason A. Rose, Esq., Attorney (Houston, Texas) Description: This panel will focus on identifying and addressing some of the non-academic issues that impact law school success. For example, time management, setting realistic expectations about law school and the practice of law, managing law school stress, dealing with depression, building supportive networks inside and outside of law school, managing the expectations of others, and graduating with joy and not bitterness.
Panel Discussion How to Succeed in Law School Panelists Adebola Coker, Esq., Associate, Mayer Brown (Houston, Texas) Russell Harris, Esq., National Diversity Initiatives Manager, Mayer Brown (New York, New York) Claudius Sokenu, Esq., Partner, Mayer Brown (New York, New York) Yasmin Yarvar, Esq., Associate, Mayer Brown (Houston, Texas) Victor Zhao, Esq., Associate, Mayer Brown (Houston, Texas) Description This program is an interactive session that provides students with insights into how to succeed in law school and why some lawyers choose to practice in a large firm environment. The speakers provide helpful tips on succeeding academically and will discuss what factors to consider in identifying the legal environment that is right for you. Panel Discussion Law School Diversity 101: How to Cope with the Harsh Realities of Prejudice in the Law School Environment and Make the Most of the Diversity You Bring Panelists Shakeer Abdullah, Director of Multicultural Affairs, Capital University Law School (Columbus, Ohio) Elizabeth Alston, Third-Year Law Student, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, Chair, Rocky Mountain Region of the National Black Law Students Association (Dallas, Texas) Mary A. Ferguson, J.D., Director of Diversity Services (East Lansing, Michigan) Eddie L. Koen Jr., Third-Year Law Student, Samford University, Cumberland School of Law, Chairman, National Black Law Students Association (Birmingham, Alabama) Shawn Stuckey, Third-Year Law Student, University of St.Thomas School of Law - Minneapolis (Minneapolis, Minnesota) MODERATOR: David E. Danner, Esq., The Law Office of David E. Danner P.C. (Nashville, Tennessee) Description Many law students are surprised to find that they experience racism and other types of prejudice and discrimination at the hands of fellow law students as well as others in the law school environment. This session discusses the importance of diversity in law schools, and the challenges this diversity can bring. Panelists address upfront the realities of "isms" in a diverse law school environment, and helps students to understand that they can use such instances as opportunities for discussion, understanding, and leadership, as opposed to feelings of isolation, resentment, and victimhood. Panelists will discuss the importance of students taking advantage of the diversity at their law school by forming coalitions and partnerships with other multicultural student groups, how the African American law student can add to the law school community's diversity in a positive way inside and outside the classroom, and mechanisms to help students cope and consider constructive ways to handle likely scenarios they will encounter. The panel's goal is to help attendees focus on having a productive and successful law school experience and beyond despite the additional challenges they will encounter in a legal profession that greatly lacks diversity and where they may find themselves continuing to encounter such concerns. Workshop Session Mock Law School Class (Discussion of Statute) Presenter Patricia Wilson, Esq., Professor of Law, Baylor Law School (Waco, Texas) Description In this session, an experienced law professor will teach a law school class in which students are asked to consider a consumer protection statute, the policy that underlies that statute, and how it applies to various situations. Make sure that you read the assigned case prior to the start of the class and that you are prepared for discussion. Workshop Session Mock Law School Class (Discussion of Case) Presenter Elbert L. Roberts , Esq., Professor of Law, Suffolk University Law School (Boston, Massachusetts) Description In this session, attendees will get a taste of what the daily law school experience is really like. An experienced law professor will teach a law school class utilizing the Socratic Method of classroom discussion. Participants are required to read the assigned case prior to the start of the class and to be prepared for discussion. * PLEASE DOWNLOAD AND READ THE ASSIGNED CASE PRIOR TO ATTENDING LAMBERTSON V. THE UNITED STATES Workshop Session You Can't Handle the Truth!!! Or Can You? Presenter Lynda Cevallos, Esq., Pre-Law Coordinator, Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) (Washington, DC) Description This workshop's discussion will include advice on how to better prepare for law school. It will include an introduction to the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO), a non-profit project of the American Bar Association Fund for Justice and Education, as well as its programs which are dedicated to diversifying the legal profession by expanding legal education opportunities for members of economically disadvantaged and underrepresented groups. This segment will further discuss the significance of early and adequate preparation for the law school admission process. Workshop Session Becoming a Highly Successful Law Student Presenter Michael Santana, Esq., Creator, Legal Writing Prep (Olympia, Washington) Description The focus of the workshop is two-fold. First, Professor Santana will inform students on how they should look at their education so that they can prepare to compete for the best jobs possible upon graduating law school. He will discuss how students are evaluated from the professors' and employers' point of view. It is like a behind the scenes view of law school. In the second part of the workshop, Professor Santana will review a short two-page case. * PLEASE DOWNLOAD AND READ THE ASSIGNED CASE PRIOR TO ATTENDING THE STATE OF MONTANA V. JOHN C. SHANNON Workshop Session What You Need to Know About Pre-Law Summer Preparatory Programs and Law School Academic Support Programs Presenters Everett Bellamy, Esq., Assistant Dean and Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University Law Center (Washington, DC) Everett Chambers, Esq., Director of Academic Support and Adjunct Professor Law, Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (Fort Worth, Texas) Description In this workshop, presenters wil discuss the goals and application process for summer preparatory programs, and why attending could give future law students a competitive edge before starting law school. Additionally, they will discuss the objectives and services that law school academic support programs offer and share how future law students can identify schools that offer them. FOCUS: THE BAR EXAM Panel Discussion Early Bar Exam Awareness: What the Bar Exam Is, Why You Should Start Thinking About It Now, and How to Ensure Your Success Panelists U. Lawrence Boze', Esq., Attorney, U. Lawrence Boze' & Associates, P.C./Vice Chairman, Texas Bar Examiners (Houston, Texas) Everett Chambers, Esq., Director of Academic Support and Adjunct Professor Law, Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (Fort Worth, Texas) Heather Haynes, Esq., Intellectual Property and Entertainment Legal Analyst and Attorney, Bloomberg Law; California BAR/BRI Grader, Bar Tutorial Presenter (New York, New York) Danney Holley, Esq., Professor of Law, Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law (Houston, Texas) Toni M. Wallace, Esq., Associate, Spain Hastings Ward Carey & Chambers (Houston, Texas) Moderator: DeMonica D. Gladney, Esq., Counsel, ExxonMobil Corporation (Houston, Texas) Description In this discussion, panelists will discuss what the bar examination is, what it tests, bar preparation and prep courses, the statistics regarding African American passage rates, and the reasons why it presents an obstacle for many African American law graduates in becoming licensed practicing attorneys. They will examine how future and current law students can strategize early to make sure that they place themselves in the best positions possible while in law school to succeed on the bar exam, preferably the first time, and what it really takes to prepare well during the bar study period, and go into the exam confident and ready to succeed. FOCUS: JOB SEARCH/CAREERS Panel Discussion Becoming a Legal Entrepreneur: The Challenges and Rewards of Starting Your Own Law Practice Panelists Antoy Bell, Esq., Attorney, Bell & Associates (Houston, Texas) Linda Dunson, Esq., Attorney, Law Office of Linda Dunson; President, Houston Lawyers Association - African American Lawyers Association (Houston, Texas) R. Edward Dupree, Esq., Attorney, The Dupree Law Firm (Houston, Texas) Angela L. Jackson, Esq., Attorney, Jackson Law Firm (Sugar Land, Texas) Dee McKinney, Esq., Attorney, Law Office of Dagnee "Dee" McKinney (Houston, Texas) Jason Payne, Esq., Senior Shareholder, The Payne Firm, P.L.L.C. (Houston, Texas) Pierre T. Williams, Esq., Attorney, Law Office of Pierre T. Williams (Fort Worth, Texas) Moderator: Regan Armstrong, Esq., Attorney, Armstrong & Bedell LLP (Houston, Texas) Description Featured on this panel are African American attorneys who have proactively chosen to become self-employed legal entrepreneurs as opposed to employees. In this session, they discuss the reasons why they started their own practices and the areas of law they practice in, as well as what they did to help them prepare for the challenges of running a law firm. Furthermore, they will explain why working for oneself can be a viable option for Black lawyers willing to learn the business side of practicing law, accept the challenge of finding and keeping clients, and willing to take on the necessary risks of becoming their own bosses in a difficult and competitive profession. They also talk about the rewards of having one's own law office. Finally, they will share resources (books, websites, organizations, etc.) available to those seriously interested in setting up their own law practices. Panel Discussion African American Attorneys: What We Do and the Additional Challenges We Face Panelists Gita P. Bolt, Esq., General Counsel, Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas) Orlesia A. Hawkins, Esq., Shareholder, Graves Dougherty Heron & Moody (Austin, Texas) Heather Haynes, Esq., Intellectual Property and Entertainment Legal Analyst and Attorney, Bloomberg Law (New York, New York) Regina Bynote Jones, Esq., Geomarket Counsel - United States, Schlumberger Oilfield Services (Sugarland, Texas) Demetra Liggins, Esq., Associate, Winstead (Houston, Texas) Derrick Mitchell, Esq., Partner, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP (Houston, Texas) Nydia D. Thomas, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney, Texas Juvenile Probation Commission (Austin, Texas) Moderator: Regan Armstrong, Esq., Partner, Armstrong & Bedell, L.L.P. (Cypress, Texas) Description Panelists will talk about their backgrounds and the specific work they do as attorneys. They will also discuss the added and unique challenges and difficulties that they have in the past or currently face in the competitive legal profession as African Americans. They provide concrete advice to aspiring Black attorneys on how to best cope with these issues in the legal workplace, courtrooms, and in dealing with other attorneys so they can keep their focus on practicing law with excellence and planning for a successful career.. Panel Discussion Making Partner at a Law Firm: How We Did It, What It Means, and What It Takes
Dee McKinney, Esq., Attorney, Law Office of Dagnee "Dee" McKinney; Former Managing Personal Injury Partner, Abbott and Ogletree Law Firm (Houston, Texas) Derrick Mitchell, Esq., Partner, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP (Houston, Texas) Orlesia A. Hawkins, Esq., Shareholder, Graves Dougherty Heron & Moody (Austin, Texas) Claudius Sokenu, Esq., Partner, Mayer Brown (New York, New York) Barron F. Wallace, Esq., Partner, Vinson & Elkins (Houston, Texas) Moderator: Demetra Liggins, Esq., Associate, Winstead (Houston, Texas) Description Many have heard that it is a big deal to "make partner" at a law firm. However, a lot of prospective law students are not quite sure how associate attorneys make partner, what it means to be made a partner at a law firm (i.e., does it translate into more money, power, more responsibility, respect?), and what it takes to place oneself in the best position to be considered for partnership at a law firm. During this panel discussion, actual African Americans who have earned partnerships at their law firms discuss some of the major reasons why they believe there are not many African American partners at law firms, share what they did to become partners, and impart advice on how one can be considered for partnership status if this is a goal that they make for themselves. Panel Discussion African American Judges: Our Paths and What You Need to Do to Position Yourself to Earn a Coveted Seat on the Bench Panelists Judge W illiam Churchill, Administrative Law Judge (Dallas, Texas) Judge Vanessa D. Gilmore, United States District Court Judge, Southern District of Texas (Houston, Texas) Judge April Walker, Associate Judge, The City of Houston (Houston, Texas) Judge Mecca Walker, Associate Judge, 309th District Court (Houston, Texas) Moderator: DeMonica D. Gladney, Esq., Counsel, ExxonMobil Corp. (Houston, Texas) Description African American judges discuss their personal journeys to earning seats on the bench. They will also provide insight into the actual work they do as judges, as well as the qualities needed to be an effective judge. They will separate fact from fiction. They will also share invaluable advice as to what it takes for those who aspire to become judges one day and what they should do now to ensure that they can be well-positioned to realizing this goal in the future. Workshop Session Job Search / Resume Workshop Presenters Adebola Coker, Esq., Associate, Mayer Brown (Houston, Texas) Russell Harris, Esq., National Diversity Initiatives Manager, Mayer Brown (New York, New York) Claudius Sokenu, Esq., Partner, Mayer Brown (New York, New York) Yasmin Yarvar, Esq., Associate, Mayer Brown (Houston, Texas) Victor Zhao, Esq., Associate, Mayer Brown (Houston, Texas) Description This program will offer tips and advice to students who are or will soon be searching for jobs or summer internships in the legal profession. A resume that highlights the student's strengths and experiences is essential to securing a law firm job. This workshop will also provide suggestions on content, format, and styles that can enhance student resumes. Workshop Session Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) Corporate Law Workshop: Preparing for a Career in Corporate Law Before Law School Presenter Natalie Bernal, Regional Manager, Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (New York, New York/Houston, Texas) Description Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) is the nation’s premier summer internship program for talented students of color leading to full-time job offers. Since its inception, SEO’s Career Program has placed over 4,000 Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, and Native American students in internships that lead to opportunities in exciting and rewarding careers in the most competitive industries worldwide. The SEO Corporate Law Workshop will explore the summer internship program and the tools and training SEO provides to help students succeed in their first year of law school. Panel Discussion The Path to Working at a Large Firm Panelists Rita Davis, Esq., Senior Associate, Hunton & Williams (Richmond, Virginia) Reggie Skinner, Esq., Associate, Associate & Commonwealth Attorney Fellow, Hunton & Williams (Richmond, Virginia) Jimmy Robinson, Jr., Esq., Partner, LeClair Ryan (Richmond, Virginia) Walter Thompson, Third-Year Law Student, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) Moderator: Tiffany Simmons, Esq., Legal Recruiting Administrator, Hunton & Williams (Richmond, Virginia) Description This workshop will discuss the various means by which individuals gain employment in large law firms. Among the topics to be discussed will be summer associate positions and judicial clerkships. Participants will learn how firms view grade point averages, law school rankings, and diversity factors. Most importantly, we will explore how African Americans deal with each stage of the recruiting and application process in a large firm. Panel Discussion You Can't Make It All By Yourself: How to Effectively Network and Seek Out Mentors Panelists Linda Dunson, Esq., Attorney, Law Office of Linda Dunson; President, Houston Lawyers Association - African American Lawyers Association (Houston, Texas) Remeko T. Edwards, Esq., Attorney, The Law Office of Remeko T. Edwards (Dallas, Texas) Zandra E. Foley, Esq., Associate, Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, LLP (Houston, Texas) Marcus LeBeouf, Esq., Associate, Baker Botts L.L.P. (Houston, Texas) Donna Tomlinson, Esq., Associate, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP (Houston, Texas); Andrea Tran, Esq., Partner, Pramudji Wendt & Tran (Houston, Texas) Moderator: Jason Payne, Esq., Senior Shareholder, The Payne Firm, P.L.L.C. (Houston, Texas) Description This session examines the importance of aspiring African American lawyers being assertive and proactive in networking and in seeking out mentors who can help them in achieving their goals. Panelists share stories of how networking and mentorship has played a positive role in their professional lives. Furthermore, they suggest useful strategies on how to build a network, and create and maintain the types of critical relationships necessary to help them succeed in law school, the legal profession, and in life. Panel Discussion Guerilla Job Hunting Tactics: How to Find Unadvertised Legal Job Opportunities Before and During Law School (Or the Truth About the Hidden Job Market) Panelists Mary Quealy Antin, Assistant Dean, Office of Career Services, Thurgood Marshall School of Law (Houston, Texas) Rhonda Beassie, Esq., Assistant Dean of Career Development and Assistant Clinical Professor, The University of Houston Career Services (Houston, Texas) Reginald Green, J.D., Assistant Dean for Career Resources, South Texas College of Law (Houston, Texas) Tiffany R. Simmons, Esq., Legal Recruiting Administrator, Hunton & Williams, LLP (Richmond, Virginia) Moderator: David E. Danner, Esq., Attorney at Law (Nashville, Tennessee) Description It is estimated that as many as 80% of available job opportunities are unadvertised. This is known as the "hidden" job market. In this session, panelists will discuss ways in which pre-law and law students can seek out jobs beyond answering advertisements for available openings. Find out how being resourceful, proactive, and establishing a network can help you in getting a job in the legal field. SPECIAL EVENT! POPCORN & A MOVIE - After Professional Networking Social. NEW! Screening of feature film THE TRIALS OF LAW SCHOOL (with free popcorn!) followed by Q&A with filmmaker/lawyer Porter Heath Morgan, Esq.
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