Volume 14, Issue 4 | December 2022
The Newsletter of the Carnegie Mellon University Pre-Law Program
News
ABA votes to drop LSAT requirement: Will law schools drop it?
The American Bar Association Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar took a big step on Nov. 18, voting to drop its requirement that law schools use a standardized test. However, despite the change, a recent survey shows that fewer than 10% of law schools will likely drop usage of the LSAT.

Minnesota Law launches Gun Violence Prevention Clinic
The University of Minnesota Law School is launching a Gun Violence Prevention Clinic in January, which will be the first in-house law school clinic in the nation with a focus on promoting gun violence prevention through strategic litigation.

Top law schools rebel against U.S. News’ annual rankings, but the magazine vows to publish anyway
A rebellion over U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking is picking up steam as a number of the nation’s most prestigious law schools have announced they will no longer provide data to the much-watched — and criticized — assessment of law schools.

Female enrollment and legal employment are rising, but is representation improving?
New data shows that female enrollment in law schools and employment after law school is rising but some believe there is still room for more representation in the law field.

Which law schools take the lead in racial justice?
The diversity forefront has changed in legal education. Law schools are no longer just talking about diversity — they are taking action.

How are law students using Artificial Intelligence?
Law students are increasingly realizing that learning about AI during their law school endeavors can provide some especially handy benefits toward their aspirations of becoming a lawyer and also aid in jumpstarting their lawyering careers.
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
Three tips for passing law school exams
Law school exams are supposed to be difficult but with the right strategy, you can make things easier on test day. To help you get started, here are three tips for succeeding on law school exams.
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