Twenty local high school students were honored at the Akron Bar Association recently for graduating from the Law and Leadership Institute, a statewide initiative that collaborates with the legal community to prepare high school students from under-served communities for post-secondary and professional success.
The
program is a comprehensive, four year academic course in law,
leadership, analytical thinking, problem solving, writing skills and
professionalism.
In
addition to year-round classes on legal and leadership topics, students
engage in mock trials, internships at local law firms, ACT preparation
class and college tours.
The
University of Akron School of Law is the local site for the Institute
with support from the Akron Bar Foundation. This is the sixth year Akron
has been one of the Law and Leadership sites in Ohio.
The
majority of Law and Leadership students from across the state are
minorities and many of the students are from low income households.
Ohio State Bar Association member Joann Sahl,
director of the program, said the Institute has had remarkable success
in graduates attending college—the majority the first of their families
to be enrolled in four-year programs.
“The
program is as much about getting them ready for college as it is
introducing them to law as a career,” said Sahl. “Most of our students
are first generation. We are giving them access to all college has to
offer, and exposing them to the idea that they can succeed in college.”
“The
Law and Leadership Institute was one of the most rewarding experiences
of my life,” said Law and Leadership graduate Imokhai Okolo. “I was
introduced to one of my biggest passion—mock trial, and with the help of
Law and Leadership, I was able to get into my top choice college—Miami
University.”
Also honored were 10th grade students completing a one-week internship at local law firms.
Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs LLC has been an internships site since the program began.
“The
Law and Leadership Program provides us with the unique opportunity to
inspire and encourage high school students from under-served
communities,” said OSBA member Bill Caplan, Buckingham managing partner, the local law firm that recently hosted two student interns.
“We
strongly support the goals of the program, and we have over the years
generously given of our time in support of the program,” said Caplan.
“The program also allows us to explain to the students why we are proud
of our profession, proud of our community, and most proud of Buckingham
and its accomplishments over the past century.”
This
month, the Law and Leadership class of 2018 began its four-year
program. Students from under-served school districts can apply for the
program in the spring of their 8th grade year. For more information
visit www.lawandleadership.org.
Content courtesy of Akron Legal News.
