I have been blessed by a life and career reflective of the many investments poured into me by my mentors and those I have encountered during my legal education. The kindness and investments of others forever enriched my life. I bore witness to a rich legacy of pouring the best into the next generation of the profession. This was done in big ways, small ways, and all the ways that matter, for example, encouragement to challenge myself and take risks (and succeed), comfort in times of profound grief, and celebrating passing the bar. I often remind myself of the words of Warren Buffett, “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” Today, I am fortunate that so many who came before me planted trees, knowing I (and others) would need the shade they would provide.
Each of us is called to make this contribution. Our collective purpose is to continue to build and improve for the generations to come—to continue to plant trees for those who may need the shade.
One way to pay this forward is to get involved at your local law school and with current law students. Doing so provides the opportunity to meet and guide young professionals who are passionate about the new career path they have chosen. The opportunity to help them chart their course and model the values of service and love for the law is fulfilling and rewarding.
Moreover, serving in an institution of legal education enriches the legal pathway and provides representation where it may not otherwise be possible. Students should see all types of attorneys within the walls of their institutions, but especially attorneys who look like them. Yes, the status quo in America is shifting, but it is not shifting in our institutions fast enough. So, the opportunity for students to see themselves reflected among those who serve as adjuncts, panelists, volunteers, and mentors is a benefit.
Lastly, while lawyers play a vital role in the preservation of society, young lawyers have the opportunity to fulfill this role uniquely. Law students are the future of the legal profession and the communities we serve. As such, directly investing in them is uniquely rewarding. They can build a bridge between historical institutions and meaningful reform.
So, how might you begin getting involved at your local law school? The easy answer is there are as many options or ways as there are readers for this article. There is no single way to start.
In this article, I will share some common ways you can serve, as well as a couple of my favorite ways I love to serve my law school. I will also share a few tips concerning whom you might reach out to as a first point of contact.
Academic and Student Support
One of the larger, and probably more common, paths to service is academic and student support. There are so many options to explore here. I encourage you to think of your background and strengths, your schedule and availability, and whether you would like to be plugged into an existing program or if you have an idea to create something new. Some ways you might explore getting involved are to serve as an advisor for a student group (for example, Women in the Law or the Federalist Society), serve as a coach for a student board (for example, trial team, moot court, or other student competitions), serve as a judge for student competitions, serve as a guest lecturer, serve as a program panelist or moderator, or apply to be an adjunct faculty member. Most schools list their extracurricular groups and boards on their website; you can start by reviewing that list.
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is widely popular. Again, I encourage you to think about your background and strengths, your schedule and availability, and whether you have room in your schedule to teach and mentor. Also, consider what this may look like on a day-to-day basis. Some ways you might explore getting involved in this way could include supporting the law school’s clinics or practicums as a volunteer attorney, supporting its externship program by hiring an extern for a semester, or allowing a student to receive pro bono hours by helping you with an eligible case. Most schools will list their experiential offerings on their website for review and provide associated resources. Check those out to see if they align with your schedule and interests.
