Volume 14, Issue 3 | November 2022
The Newsletter of the Carnegie Mellon University Pre-Law Program
News
Real-world exposure to BigLaw racial justice work
Kramer Levin in New York launched its Racial Justice Initiative Scholars program this year, a creative effort aimed at furthering its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Its first class of scholars targeted New York area law schools and included seven students in their first year of law school at Fordham University School of Law, New York University School of Law and Columbia Law School.

Northeastern Law extends its Flex-JD to prospective students across the nation
The four-year part-time program is designed for working professionals who intend to continue full-time employment while pursuing a law degree. This year it was only open to students in the Boston area, but now students from across the nation can apply.

Are law schools too liberal?
When the American Bar Association first surveyed law students about ideology and freedom of
speech back in 1991, it was a bit damning. The results revealed that conservative students at some
schools were apprehensive about sharing their views in class.

Survey says: Law students love online programs
New data from an annual survey shows that law students are satisfied and successful in online learning.Success with Online Education, a report from Law School Survey of Student Engagement (LSSSE) shows data pulled from law students and their online learning experiences. With responses from 13,000 law students at 70 schools, the report shows how beneficial and successful online learning has been.

Harvard Law student group demands reproductive justice offerings
A student group at Harvard Law staged a sit-in on Oct. 6 to bring attention to its call for more reproductive justice offerings at the school, and gathered 1,110 signatures for a demand letter.

Applicants and applications for Class of 2023 are down — for now
A couple years ago, it seemed as if everybody was applying to law school. Experts predicted that the increase was unsustainable - and they were right. Last year admissions fell 12%. And so far this year, the drop continues — at least for now.
Opportunities

The application for the Summer 2023 TRIALS program at NYU School of Law is now open!
 
Application submission deadline:Tuesday, February 28 at 11:59 pm ET.
 
TRIALS is a unique partnership of Harvard Law School, NYU School of Law, and the Advantage Testing Foundation. It is a fully subsidized summer study program for students of modest means whose backgrounds are currently underrepresented at the nation’s top law schools.

Announcing the Launchpad Scholars Program
The Yale Law School Launchpad Scholars Program, powered by Latham & Watkins, is focused on increasing opportunity and equity in education and the legal profession.This innovative program aims to ensure that excellent applicants from all backgrounds can maximize their potential as law students and legal professionals, empowering them to become leaders in their future careers.

Columbia Law School International Programs
July 9-28, 2023
This three-week, non-credit program is designed for students but open to practitioners as well.
Participants receive an official Certificate of Attendance, and attend modules on:
  • Introduction to U.S. Legal Institutions
  • Introduction to Negotiation
  • U.S. Corporate Law in an International Perspective
  • Deals: The Law and Economics of Transactions

June 26-30, 2023
This is a one-week, non-credit program designed for global lawyers, business managers, arbitration professionals, and others.
Participants receive an official Certificate of Attendance, and choose one of three modules:
  • Topics in International Arbitration
  • U.S. Corporate Law in an International Perspective (primarily for managers)
  • Get the Deal Done: Cross-Border M&A Transactions

Widener Law Commonwealth Pre-Law Webinars
This fall the Widener Law Commonwealth is running a Creating a Competitive Application webinar series to help students get a better understanding of the law school admissions process. The webinars are not specific to WLC and are relevant to anyone interested in applying to law school. 
 
They are also hosting an Open House and several Online Information Sessions for students interested in attending WLC. You are welcome to join us for any of these events. 
 
As the only law school in Pennsylvania's capital, Widener Law Commonwealth provides students with a personal, practical, and professional education to jumpstart their legal careers.
Advice
How to build a network in law school
The legal world is a small one and the connections you make during your law school years will become great resources down the road. If you’re wondering how to build a network in law school, here are some tips on how to get started.

How does legal hiring work? Find out now before you start law school
Thanks to the internet, law-related courses and internships, most students are well-versed in how law school works, academically. Many incoming students, though, don’t know much about the legal hiring process.
About Us
Pre-Law Advising Office
Dr. Joseph E. Devine
University Pre-Law Advisor
For an appointment, call 412-268-2831 or email jd0x@andrew.cmu.edu)

Thomas M. Kerr, Jr. Student Pre-Law Society
Sheldon Yawson
Psychology
President, Thomas M. Kerr, Jr. Student Pre-Law Society