Approximately 60-80 students were recruited from high schools in low-income communities to participate in Young Lawyers. The students will attend weekly classes at the law school during the spring semester and participate in a mock trial in front of a real judge at the end of the program. Participating high school students meet with law student mentors every Thursday evening from 4–6 p.m. at Loyola Law School (LLS), from mid-January through mid-April. Weekly classes may be taught by law students, LLS alumni, and/or other practicing attorneys who have trial expertise. Dinner will be provided each week. Young Lawyers provides mentoring that exposes youth to the benefits of continuing their education beyond high school. Law students are paired with high school students to provide one-on-one help with trial preparation and weekly homework, and to share their own experiences as undergraduate students and reasons for pursuing a legal career. Program participants also hear from attorneys working in different areas of the justice system. In addition to mentoring and exposure to diverse legal careers, community youth learn the legal fundamentals necessary to serve as attorneys and witnesses in a mock trial.
School(s)
Approximately 60-80 students were recruited from high schools in low-income communities to participate in Young Lawyers. The students will attend weekly classes at the law school during the spring semester and participate in a mock trial in front of a real judge at the end of the program. Participating high school students meet with law student mentors every Thursday evening from 4–6 p.m. at Loyola Law School (LLS), from mid-January through mid-April. Weekly classes may be taught by law students, LLS alumni, and/or other practicing attorneys who have trial expertise. Dinner will be provided each week. Young Lawyers provides mentoring that exposes youth to the benefits of continuing their education beyond high school. Law students are paired with high school students to provide one-on-one help with trial preparation and weekly homework, and to share their own experiences as undergraduate students and reasons for pursuing a legal career. Program participants also hear from attorneys working in different areas of the justice system. In addition to mentoring and exposure to diverse legal careers, community youth learn the legal fundamentals necessary to serve as attorneys and witnesses in a mock trial.