Just The Beginning – A Pipeline Organization

📢 Calling all volunteers! 📢 Join JTB and UIC Law's Rising Attorneys Inclusive Summer Experience (R.A.I.S.E.) for our Ready. Set. Law. program on September 20, 2024! We need enthusiastic, prepared, and engaging volunteers to help guide undergraduate students through the law school experience. This is your chance to make a difference and inspire the next generation of diverse lawyers and leaders! 🔹 Volunteer Opportunities Include: 📚 Law School Admissions Process (9:00 - 9:55am CT) 🎓 Journey to Law School - A Law Student Panel (10:00 - 10:55am CT) ⚖️ Topics in Law (11:00 - 12:00pm CT) 👩⚖️ Keynote Address by a Federal Judge (12:00 - 1:30pm CT) 📖 Mock Law School Class (1:30 - 3:00pm CT) 📰 Law in the Headlines (3:00 - 4:00pm CT) All sessions will be held at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. To register or for more information, contact Cristina Figueroa at cfigueroa@jtb.org. Let’s work together to inspire and support future legal professionals! 💼⚖️ #Volunteer #ReadySetLaw #FutureLawyers #LegalEducation #DiversityInLaw #JTB

🌟 Wrapping Up the Chicago Summer Legal Institute! 📚✨ The final day of our Chicago Summer Legal Institute was a whirlwind of activities and celebrations. The day kicked off at DePaul University College of Law with SLI scholars presenting their oral arguments, showcasing their hard work and newly honed skills. Following these impressive presentations, everyone gathered for a celebration lunch to reflect on their achievements and enjoy some well-deserved camaraderie. We also had the pleasure of celebrating both of our outstanding team leaders' birthdays. Thank you so much to Marissa Nugent and Jazmine Taylor for being such an invaluable asset throughout the entire week. 🎉 The scholars then traveled to Jones Day where the day culminated in a vibrant networking reception where volunteer attorneys and law students connected with our scholars, offering advice, encouragement, and valuable insights into the legal profession. 🤝 The closing ceremony featured heartfelt speeches by students, presentation of awards, the distribution of certificates by our Program Director, Cristina Figueroa, and closing remarks by Program Manager, Misitura (Missy) Jeje Jeje. This marked a fitting end to a transformative week, celebrating the scholars' dedication and hard work. 😁 We had an incredibly enriching week designed to prepare scholars for their journey through high school, college, and hopefully, law school! We welcomed 49 enthusiastic students who explored various legal topics, visited a federal courthouse, participated in oral argument presentations, and engaged in discussions on employment discrimination, environmental justice, public interest law, etc. The week was filled with interactive panels, thought-provoking sessions, and so much more! ⚖️ A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated scholars, generous volunteers, and the supportive DePaul University College of Law for making this an unforgettable experience! 🌟✨ 📸 Tag us in your photos and share your experiences! #JTB #SummerLegalInstitute #Chicago #LegalEducation #FutureLawyers #FutureJudges #FutureLeaders

🌟 Day Highlights at the Summer Legal Institute in Chicago! 📚 Wednesday began at Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse with a session on legal career pathways presented by Heather Mulry, MA and Kathryn Chapman, U.S. Pretrial Services Officers, and Laminta Poe, U.S. Probation Officer. Following this, Judge Sara Ellis shared her journey to the judiciary, offering a personal glimpse into her career path. 🧑⚖️ Corey Rubenstein, an Assistant U.S. Attorney, presented "Life of a Trial Lawyer," providing a real-world perspective on the courtroom experience. Gabriel A. Fuentes, a U.S. Magistrate Judge, then shared his journey to the judiciary, adding another dimension to the scholars' understanding of legal careers. 🏛️ After traveling back to DePaul University College of Law for lunch, scholars explored topics in environmental justice and climate change with John M. Petoskey from Earthjustice. They continued with a session on public interest law presented by Sabreena El-Amin and Arthur Surratt III from the Public Interest Law Initiative. ✍️ The day concluded with a "Journey to Law School" panel moderated by our incredible Team Leader, Marissa Nugent and featuring law students Jazmine Taylor, Myha Riley, IL CPA, Leah Hall, and Timothy Roberts providing valuable insights into the life of a law school student. ⚖️ Thursday kicked off with a bus trip to Abbott Laboratories in Lake Bluff, IL., where scholars were welcomed by Erica Battaglia and Ravi Kiran Mamidanna. An engaging attorney panel discussion followed, featuring Anamarie Cashman, Kevin Dam, and Kenneth K., who shared their diverse experiences and expertise. This was complemented by a roundtable discussion with Abbott attorneys, allowing scholars to network and ask questions in a more informal setting. 🙋♂️ The day concluded with a mock oral argument competition, where scholars showcased their skills in two exciting rounds. This hands-on experience provided a practical application of their learning and a chance to demonstrate their advocacy abilities. 🤝 📸 Tag us in your photos and share your experiences! #JTB #SummerLegalInstitute #Chicago #LegalEducation #FutureLawyers #FutureJudges #FutureLeaders

🎉 This week, JTB's Summer Legal Institute is taking over Chicago! 🌟 Monday, we began at DePaul University College of Law with a warm welcome from our Program Manager, Misitura (Missy) Jeje and JTB Staff. Scholars engaged in understanding "Christopher Taylor v. Jackson School District" through lively oral argument case skits. This was followed by a mock law school class on "Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L.," led by Dino L. Pollock, Esq., Attorney at Law. ⚖️ After lunch, scholars applied the rules of "Mahanoy" to their own cases with guidance from our incredible Team Leaders, Jazmine Taylor and Marissa Nugent. The day continued with a session on Employment Discrimination by Jasmine Fannell from HSBC and concluded with a Professional Etiquette workshop led by Veronica Couzo-Kamenjarin from McDonald’s. 🤝 Today started with another engaging mock law school class on "Hazelwood School District Et Al. v. Kulmeier Et Al.," presented by Emily Dowling from Jones Day. Scholars applied the rules of "Hazelwood" to their cases with help from Jazmine Taylor and Marissa Nugent. After a break, they explored Financial Literacy with Mervyn Kopinsky, FSA, EA, MAAA and discussed various legal topics, including "Anti Trust and Competition Law" with Vania Montero Wit from United Airlines and "Ethics and Compliance" with Marla H. from Constellation. ✍️ These first two days have laid a strong foundation for an exciting week ahead. Stay tuned for more updates! 💼✨ 📸 Tag us in your photos and share your experiences! #JTB #SummerLegalInstitute #Chicago #LegalEducation #FutureLawyers #FutureJudges #FutureLeaders

🌟 Exciting Opportunity for Aspiring Lawyers! 🌟 Applications are now open for Ready. Set. Law. ⚖️ This transformative program is a partnership between JTB and UIC Law's Rising Attorney Inclusive Summer Experience (R.A.I.S.E.). Designed to prepare undergraduate students for the law student experience, this program is your gateway to exploring the skills and pathways essential for a successful legal career. Here’s what Ready. Set. Law. has in store for you: 📚 Admissions Presentation: Gain insights into the law school admissions process and learn how to build a compelling application. 🏫 Participation in a 1L Course: Experience a first-year law school course and understand the academic expectations of law school. 👩⚖️ Panel with Law Student Leaders: Engage in a conversation with current law students and learn from their experiences and tips for success. ⚖️ Meet with a Federal Judge: An exclusive opportunity to meet and interact with a federal judge, gaining valuable perspectives on the judiciary and legal profession. ✨ And much more, including networking opportunities, skill-building sessions, and exposure to various legal career paths. This program is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and connections to excel in law school and beyond. Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to jumpstart your legal journey! ✅ Apply today at https://lnkd.in/gkBdfArT #JTB #ReadySetLaw #RAISE #FutureLawyers #LegalMentorship #LawSchoolPreparation #CareerGrowth #LegalPipeline #DiversityInLaw #EqualOpportunity

🌟 Wrapping Up the Washington D.C. Summer Legal Institute! 📚 The final day was packed with transformative experiences for our scholars. The day began with an oral argument presentation led by JD Howlette Law Volunteers, providing the students with a chance to showcase their skills and receive valuable feedback. This was followed by a celebration luncheon at Howard University School of Law, where everyone gathered to reflect on the week's accomplishments and share their experiences. 🏛️ After lunch, the scholars traveled to Holland & Knight LLP for a networking reception. This event offered a unique opportunity for the students to connect with legal professionals, gain insights into various career paths, and build lasting relationships with their peers and mentors. The reception was filled with engaging conversations, professional advice, and an overall sense of camaraderie as the scholars celebrated their journey and looked forward to their futures in the legal field. 🤝 We had an incredibly enriching week designed to prepare scholars for their journey through high school, college, and hopefully, law school! We welcomed 63 enthusiastic students who toured top law firms, explored various legal topics, participated in oral argument presentations, and engaged in business and intellectual property law exercises. The week was filled with interactive panels, thought-provoking sessions, and so much more! ⚖️ A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated scholars, generous volunteers, and the supportive Howard University School of Law for making this an unforgettable experience! 🌟✨ None of this would be possible without the support of our sponsors. Thank you! Gilbert LLP Holland & Knight LLP JD Howlette Law Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP WilmerHale 📸 Tag us in your photos and share your experiences! #JTB #SummerLegalInstitute #WashingtonDC #LegalEducation #FutureLawyers #FutureJudges #FutureLeaders

🌟 Day Highlights at the Summer Legal Institute in Washington DC! 📚 These past two days have been packed with enriching experiences for our scholars in DC! On Wednesday, they delved into business law with WilmerHale Volunteers and participated in a Shark Tank business law breakout session at Howard University School of Law. The day continued with a visit to Crowell & Moring, where they engaged in an intellectual property presentation and a Shark Tank IP law breakout session, culminating in an app presentation and evaluation. The day concluded with discussions on corporate law led by Freddie Mac Volunteers. 🏛️ Today featured a fireside chat with Chris Ford, Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine, and Celyra Myers, Associate at Davis Wright Tremaine, followed by oral argument practice with Gilbert LLP Volunteers. Scholars also explored financial literacy with Chuck West from Graystone Consulting and Tiffany Massay from Morgan Stanley. The day wrapped up with a "Journey to Law School" panel featuring Kierra Booker, Jasmine Marchbanks-Owens, Warrington Sebree, and Stayce L. Evans, and final preparations for oral arguments with Jy'Mir Starks and Joshua Fleming. ✍️ These two days were filled with invaluable insights and hands-on experiences, from business law simulations to intellectual property presentations and corporate law discussions. Scholars honed their professional etiquette and negotiation skills, explored financial literacy, and prepared for their futures with inspiring panels and practical training. 🤝 📸 Tag us in your photos and share your experiences! #JTB #SummerLegalInstitute #WashingtonDC #LegalEducation #FutureLawyers #FutureJudges #FutureLeaders

JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT – COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA🎉 The Honorable Doris Henderson Causey of the Court of Appeals of Virginia is accepting applications for a law clerk position for August 2025 - August 2026, with the possibility of a second year. Applicants must be graduates of an ABA-approved law school with strong legal writing abilities. The successful candidate must be reliable and responsible and prepared to relocate to the Richmond area of Virginia. To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, writing sample, and two letters of recommendation to kitaylor@vacourts.gov with the subject line “2025 Law Clerk Applicant.” The position will be open until filled; however, they will begin to conduct interviews on a rolling basis. 

🌟 Kicking Off the Washington D.C. Summer Legal Institute! 📚✨ The first two days have been an incredible start for our scholars in DC! We began at Howard University School of Law with a warm welcome from our JTB Program Manager, Misitura (Missy) Jeje and Law School Dean, Roger A. Fairfax, Jr. Scholars jumped right into understanding the intricacies of "Christopher Taylor v. Jackson School District" through engaging oral argument case skits. Following this, they participated in a mock law school class focused on the landmark case "Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L.," led by Ifenanya Agwu, Associate at Gilbert LLP. ⚖️ After lunch, scholars applied the rules of "Mahanoy" to their own cases, guided by Jy'Mir Starks and Joshua Fleming, our incredible Team Leaders. The day continued with a session on legal writing by Erin Carroll, Professor of Law at Georgetown School of Law, and concluded with a professional development workshop with Melissa Brooks, Program Head & Associate Professor at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. ✍️ Today, our Scholars went on a trip to the U.S. District Court, District of Columbia. While there, they participated in a civil discourse exercise led by Judge Zia Faruqui. Returning to Georgetown University School of Law for lunch, they then delved into another mock law school class on "Hazelwood School District Et Al. v. Kulmeier Et Al.," again led by Ifenanya Agwu. Scholars applied the rules of "Hazelwood" to their cases, guided by Jymir Starks and Joshua Fleming, and wrapped up with preparation for their upcoming oral arguments. 🏛️ These first two days have set a strong foundation for what promises to be an enlightening and empowering week. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this transformative journey! 💼✨ 📸 Tag us in your photos and share your experiences! #JTB #SummerLegalInstitute #WashingtonDC #LegalEducation #FutureLawyers #FutureJudges #FutureLeaders

🌟 You're Invited! 🌟 Join us for Just The Beginning - A Pipeline Organization's annual Light the Spark Celebration✨ on Thursday, October 10th at United Airlines. This special event offers an opportunity to learn more about JTB's impactful work in promoting diversity within the legal profession, mingle with JTB staff, board members, volunteers, and supporters, and enjoy an evening of fun while supporting our mission. Let's celebrate over 30 years of igniting passion in the next generation of diverse lawyers and leaders. Your presence will help us continue our efforts to create a more inclusive legal community!⚖️ For more info, visit jtb.org/celebration #JTB #LightTheSpark #CelebrateJTB #FutureLeaders #DiversityInLaw