Networking, Mentoring Opportunities for Minority Law Students Abound at Judicial Clerkship Program

During the opening of the 8th Annual Minority Judicial Clerkship Program on Thursday nearly 90 law school students heard a consistent message from ABA leaders—build your legal career with the help of those who have gone before.

“None of us got here by ourselves. You will not grow as a lawyer by yourself. You’re going to need help,” said ABA President-Elect H. Thomas Wells, Jr. during welcoming remarks at the two-day program. “Find someone that you can look up to and turn to as you continue to be active and move up in your career as lawyers.”

Laurel G. Bellows, chair of the House of Delegates, echoed that message, advising these “best and the brightest” students to “build bridges among yourselves, share information, and when you get a clerkship position ask for help from others.”

Also welcoming students were ABA President William Neukom and Executive Director Hank White. A joint effort of the Presidential Advisory Council on Diversity in the Profession and the Judicial Division, the Minority Judicial Clerkship Program brings judges and minority law students together through structured networking activities. Students are afforded the opportunity to interact with judges, fellow law students and former law clerks, develop close personal working relationships, and improve their analytical, legal research and writing skills.

Law student Jennifer Ro of Seattle came to the program after clerking for a trial court judge for a summer. Her interest piqued, she looked forward to this week’s panel programs and small group sessions as an opportunity “to get to know people, get a better perspective on the profession, and meet judges who are a wealth of knowledge on resources, networking and opportunities, particularly in the areas that they’re expert in.”

“This is a great program for minorities to enter into the judicial system,” said law student Wendell White of Macon.

A downloadable audiotape will be posted for purchase. Credentialed medial may request a free copy. For more information, visit: http://www.abanet.org/adminlaw/home.html.