Free National Pre-Law Conference Focused on the Success of Future Black Lawyers

Aug. 19, 2008 - PRLog -- HOUSTON, TEXAS – Thinking about exploring law school but need to get the facts and connect with those already in and who have graduated in order to make a more fully informed and thoughtful decision?  This fall, Houston, the fourth largest city in the country, hosts the nation’s premier information-sharing and networking empowerment event focused on the success of aspiring Black lawyers.  The Fourth Annual National Black Pre-Law Admissions & Preparation Conference and Law Fair 2008 will be held on Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11, 2008 at the University of Houston in the University Hilton and the University Center.  Sponsors of this event include Faegre & Benson LLP, Baker Botts LLP, and Mayer Brown LLP.

This year’s schedule is jam-packed with everything any aspiring lawyer would need to know to make a decision regarding pursuing a professional legal education.  There will be powerful and thought-provoking panel discussions made up of expert law school administrators and accomplished law students, lawyers, and judges imparting information in all critical areas a future law student should become knowledgeable about.  Critical information will be imparted through discussions covering the law school admissions process, the Law School Admission Test, personal and diversity statements, financing a legal education, selecting a law school, preparing for and making the most of the law school experience, diversity issues, passing the bar exam, different legal career options and paths, and finding success in the legal job search and the keys to career advancement.  All sessions will be followed by a question and answer period.  

Moreover, participants will have the unique opportunity to actually experience what it feels like to be a student in the law school classroom.  There will mock law school classes conducted by real law professors where students will be separated into pre-assigned “sections” just like in law school.  Attendees are expected to read the assigned case, brief it, and be prepared to discuss.  Any student is fair game to be cold called just as if they were actual law students.  The class will include discussion of the value of the case method and Socratic method in law school instruction.  

In addition to providing this key “insider” information in an engaging and lively town hall meeting format, participants will be able to gain small group interaction and networking opportunities that they otherwise would not receive in a friendly and non-threatening environment.  There will be planned icebreakers, speed networking activities, themed refreshment breaks, networking power hours, a Professional Networking Social/Mentorship Mixer, and a Future Lawyers Farewell Reception.  The Law School Admissions & Preparation Help Advice Clinic, a signature event, will also take place so that attendees can get one-on-one assistance with their application materials and answers to their specific questions.  Moreover, there will be Saturday lunch round table discussions where conversations will be facilitated in order to again promote more personal interaction between prospective law student attendees with each other, and with participating law school representatives, current law students, law graduates, lawyers, and judges.

Furthermore, the popular Law School Recruitment Fair will take place during a dedicated time block where pre-law students will have the opportunity to talk to law school representatives from numerous law schools at all tier levels from across the country.  The past three conferences have attracted over 100 law schools each year.  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.  There will also be a new Pre-Law Resources Fair for participants to learn about courses, books, and programs geared to assisting future law students and lawyers.

A brief morning pre-conference pep talk/motivational session will be Evangeline M. Mitchell, Conference Founder and Chairperson, to explain to participants exactly what they should do to maximize their experience throughout the conference weekend, and to stress the importance of creating a strategic plan to help ensure their future success. The conference will officially kick off with remarks from prominent guests including Houston Lawyers Association President Bert Jennings, National Bar Association President Rodney G. Moore, Vice Chair of the Racial Diversity in the Profession Committee of the State Bar of Texas Sonya Bishop, and Chairperson of the National Black Law Student Association Wintta Woldmariam.  This will be followed by an inspirational opening keynote address given by Shawn D. Stuckey, a retired professional football player (NFL, NFL Europe, XFL) turned successful and award-winning law student and now new lawyer, who will share his inspiring story of overcoming unthinkable odds and adversity to leading a dynamic life of great successes in both the sports and academic worlds.  Additionally, Attorney Jolanda “Jo” Jones, an attorney, businesswoman, Houston city council member, and former contestant of the popular “Survivor” series will motivate participants at the Professional Networking Social/Mentorship Mixer.  

On the second day of the conference, remarks will be made by Chair of the National Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division Eric M. Mathis, Chair of Region V of the National Bar Association Daryl K. Washington, and Director of the College Student Division of the National Black Law Students Association Sharonda Boyce.  This will be followed by a keynote speech delivered by The Honorable Arthur L. Burnett, Sr., Senior Judge and Executive Director of the National African American Drug Policy Coalition, Inc.  During the closing session, the featured keynote speaker is Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs David A. Green.  There will also be a powerful speech delivered by Professor Vernellia R. Randall, who teaches in the areas of health care, race and racism, gender, and academic support at the University of Dayton School of Law and founder of the J.D. Project.  Attorney Jo Ana Saint-George, the Founder and Chairperson of the National Bar Association’s Arizona Diversity Pipeline Program, Inc. is also scheduled to address attendees.

This groundbreaking “must attend” event is completely free of charge, free food is provided, and it is open to the public.  High school students, college students, college graduates, working professionals, career changers, pre-law, career, and diversity/multicultural advisors, as well as 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.  Everyone is welcome.  Registration is required and can be done quickly and easily online at http://blackprelawconference.eventbrite.com. Further information 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.  Please visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/Blackprelaw.

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The nation's premier information-sharing and networking empowerment event for aspiring Black lawyers.