The University School of Law hosted Minority Law Day on Friday, an event aimed at exposing high school and undergraduate students of color to the legal profession and the law school.
About 20 students and community members attended the event, which featured presentations on how to pay for law school, preparing for law school, a mock criminal law class taught by law Professor Leslie Harris and a speech by University Vice Provost for Equity and Diversity Gregory Vincent.
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Liane Richardson said one of the purposes of the event was to show attendees a profession in law is possible.
“A lot of minority students think that a legal degree is unattainable,” she said. “It’s not out of reach.”
Various members of the law community sat on a panel entitled “Life After Law School,” which explored the difficulty of finding a job after graduation. Panelists shared their post-law school experiences and gave students advice on how to weather the first years after law school.
Local attorney Emilio Bandiero said a law school education lacks a practical aspect.
“(Law school) doesn’t teach you how to dance,” Bandiero said. “It teaches you the theory of dance.”
Bandiero stressed the importance of hands-on experiences.
“(The courtroom) is where you learn how to dance,” he said.
The panel discussion was followed by a presentation by law professor Joe Metcalfe, entitled “The Confession.” Metcalfe shared an experience he had while working as a public defender in Washington, D.C., in which his client falsely confessed to murdering his father. The presentation included actual footage from the interrogation. Metcalfe’s client was released upon the discovery that the victim’s girlfriend committed the crime.
At the presentation’s conclusion, Metcalfe gave advice to the students.
“Law school is primarily about cases in casebooks,” he said, adding that it is important to keep cases in context.
“Part of your job as a lawyer is to remember that these cases have real consequences,” he said.
Churchill High School senior Jahma Levi said she attended the event because of her interest in court shows.
“All of the lawyers seem really confident,” she said. “Obviously law school teaches a lot of confidence.”
University law student Annette McGee, the only black female enrolled in the law school, said she understands the importance of diversity.
“It’s important that different backgrounds are represented in the law field,” she said.
McGee said the law school’s lack of diversity is a problem.
“Everyone has their own culture. They bring a whole different perspective … It harms the majority population because they’re not benefiting from complete diversity.”