Minority Pre-Law Conference Huge Success

Judge Vince Rozier delivers keynote address.

The North Carolina Bar Association’s Minorities in the Profession Committee held its 2nd Annual Minority Pre-Law Conference on Saturday, March 19, at North Carolina Central University School of Law.

The conference is designed to reach minority high school and college students who are considering or planning to attend law school. The attendees heard from law school deans, participated in a mock law school class, discovered what admissions offices are looking for in potential law students, spoke with current law school students and practicing attorneys about what to expect once enrolled in law school, and discussed careers available with a law degree.

“I had the opportunity to attend the conference on Saturday and I wanted to let you know that it was a great conference,” said participant Tanya Simmons. “The information provided to prospective law students was invaluable and I am very fortunate that I was able to attend.”

Six of the state’s seven law schools were represented across various panels and a Law School Fair. Wake County District Court Judge Vince Rozier served as the keynote speaker. With over 90 students and attorneys in attendance, the conference was a tremendous success.

Judge Rozier’s address was followed by the event’s first panel discussion: The Law School Value Proposition: Is Law School Worth the Investment? Paul Meggett of Charlotte School of Law served as the moderator. Dean Phyliss Craig-Taylor of North Carolina Central University School of Law and Dean Jay Conison of Charlotte School of Law comprised the panel.

Sharita Whitaker, Minorities in the Profession Committee chair, left, poses with Gerald Walden Jr. and Emma Kinyanjui, conference co-chairs.

The Road to Law School: Navigating the Admissions Process from High School to Day 1 of Law School panel discussion was moderated by Valyce Davis, who serves as law clerk for Justice Cheri Beasley of the N.C. Supreme Court.

Comprising the panel of law school admissions representatives were Kyle Brazile, North Carolina Central University School of Law; Bianca Mack, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law; Debbie Walker, Wake Forest University School of Law; Alan Woodlief, Elon University School of Law; Janelle Van Pelt from Campbell Law School and Crystal Ridgely from Charlotte School of Law.

Law students took center stage during the My Law School Experience: What I Wish I Knew Before Applying panel discussion moderated by Niya Fonville of Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc. (Raleigh).

Comprising the panel were Andre’ Board, Barbara Henry and Jackelyn “Niky” Wooding of North Carolina Central University School of Law; Cheslie Kryst of Wake Forest University School of Law; and Jeanine Soufan of Campbell Law School.

Following the Networking Lunch and Law School Career Fair, Meggett served as the instructor for the Mock Law School Class: Welcome to Contracts.

The final panel discussion, The View from Law School Career Services: Laying the Foundation for Success, was moderated by Sidney Minter, a board member and legal advisor to the North Carolina Association of Staffing Professionals who is currently participating in the NCBA’s 2016 Leadership Academy.

Comprising the career services panel were Alison Ashe-Card, Wake Forest University School of Law; Lynn Boone, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law; and Michelle Cofield, North Carolina Central University School of Law.

The conference concluded with wrap-up and closing remarks from Emma Kinyanjui, director of career services at North Carolina Central University School of Law, and Gerald Walden Jr., assistant general counsel for The Fresh Market, Inc., who served as conference co-chairs.

Click here to view photos from the event.