March 30, 2023
Minority Pre-Law Conference: Saturday, April 22, 2023
Of the 1.3 million lawyers in the United States, only one in five is a person of color.[1] Sixteen states – with a combined total of 104 federal trial judges – have no federal judges of color.[2]
Twenty-seven states do not have a single Black, female judge on its federal trial benches, and twelve others only have one.[3] While the composition of the bench and the legal field has slowly been more reflective of the American demographic – in 1980, 91% of all federal judges were White vs. 78% in 2022 – change has been gradual. Moreover, nontraditional applicants – such as former military, those seeking law as a second career, or those coming from an otherwise underrepresented background – may struggle to find fellow students and colleagues who understand the dynamics of a path to the law.
Given all this, the Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Division is pleased to present the Minority Pre-Law Conference as a way to equip minority and nontraditional law school applicants to navigate the process successfully. This one-day event is designed to provide valuable resources, advice, and networking opportunities to underrepresented individuals interested in pursuing a career in law.
This year’s conference will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at William and Mary Law School, located in beautiful Williamsburg, Virginia. Attendees will have the chance to hear a Keynote Address by Chief Justice Bernard Goodwyn of the Virginia Supreme Court – a highlight of last year’s event – but also have an opportunity to participate in a variety of interactive sessions and workshops. These include panels on life as a diverse law student and member of the bar, instructions on the law school application process, a primer on the LSAT, and a law school fair with representatives from law schools across the country. Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with other pre-law students from across Virginia. Breakfast and lunch will be provided and there will be a raffle for several free LSAT courses and prep materials!
The Minority Pre-Law Conference is an excellent opportunity for minority and nontraditional law school applicants to gain insight and advice from legal professionals and peers. With the support and encouragement of experienced lawyers, professors, and judges, attendees can gain the confidence they need to pursue a successful career in law. By increasing access to legal services, lawyers from underrepresented backgrounds can help ensure that everyone has equal access to justice, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn, network, and prepare for a career as an attorney! Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Register today – or share with someone who would like to attend – for the Minority Pre-Law Conference at William and Mary Law School on April 22, 2023!
Who: Minority college students or otherwise nontraditional applicants considering a career in the law.
What: Virginia State Bar Young Lawyer Division: Minority Pre-Law Conference, Hampton Roads
When: April 22, 2023, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Where: 613 S. Henry St. Williamsburg, VA 23185
Why: An excellent opportunity for minority and nontraditional students who are considering law school to gain insight and advice from legal professionals and peers.
Conference Registration
Facebook Event Page
QUESTIONS/CONCERNS/ISSUES? Please contact Maryam Atty at (757) 263-4155 or Marcus Mitchell at (361) 816-1575, Chairs of the Minority Pre-Law Conference of Hampton Roads.
[1] https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/news/2022/07/profile-report-2022.pdf.
[2] Id. at 2.
[3] Id. at 3.