Since 2006, Youth Law Day has partnered with New York State law schools to develop events and to recruit speakers that engage underserved high school students about the excitement of practicing law, the important contributions of attorneys, and the need for the legal profession to reflect the diverse communities it serves. The law school sessions last the length of a typical school day and cover a wide array of topics including recurrent student questions such as “Is law school right for me?” “Can someone like me really go to law school?” and “What can I do with a law degree?”
Developed under the strong direction of Past President Kenneth G. Standard, the format of YLD generally features – with flexibility to tailor the agenda to a particular law school’s interests:
• Greeting by the law school dean and a senior NYSBA leader
• An inspirational lunch keynote by a leading, practicing attorney
• A mock class with a faculty member, with break-out opportunities
• Panels on undergraduate/law admissions, student life, and career trajectories
• School tours and courthouse visits
• Mock trial and/or moot court demonstrations
The scale and expense is minimal. We have put together timelines, sample documentation, budgets, and other materials, etc., so that you can start planning right away. We are very grateful for the help of our local partners – which have included all the New York State law schools – and are delighted to work with other groups who are interested in emulating this model.
Check out this article about our Diversity Law Day in Syracuse here.
“Youth Law Day was a unique opportunity & experience for teens to explore the great impact they can have on positive social change through the vast possibilities of a legal career. It is a top notch experience that piqued the curiosity and interest of students to consider a career in law.”
Anzala B. Alozie, JD
Executive Director of Youth Development and Albany YMCA
SPONSORS INCLUDE:
The New York Bar Foundation
Albany Law School
Brooklyn Law School
Columbia University Law School
Cornell University Law School
CUNY – City University of New York School of Law
Fordham University School of Law
Hofstra University School of Law
New York Law School
New York University School of Law
SUNY at Buffalo School of Law
Syracuse University College of Law
Touro College Law Center
Yeshiva University- Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law