Summer Legal Institute 
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Just The Beginning Foundation extends our sincere thanks to our leading National Summer Legal Institute 2010 sponsors: Microsoft, Walmart, and the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO).
Your contribution, whether monetary, participatory or other, not only illustrates your enduring commitment toward diversifying the legal field but your commitment to youth across the country. Your support sustains our mission - exposing underrepresented students across the nation to the experiences, language, skills and people that make up the face of today’s legal community. The program provides an array of experiences that excites and enables the next generation of bright, thoughtful and industrious legal minds. Beginning with middle school students we whole-heartedly put your sponsorship dollars to work. The work of JTBF entails: exposing, enabling, cultivating, captivating, and creating conscientious young people that will ultimately be prepared for college, law school and beyond.
Your contributions afforded JTBF the opportunity to hold Summer Legal Institutes in Piney Woods, MS, Minneapolis, MN, Seattle, WA, and Chicago, IL. Below, you will find some of the highlights that our students experienced thanks to your good will and generosity. As JTBF continues to expand, please know that our success is contingent upon the collaboration and partnership with supporters like you.
Coming soon…
a JTBF Scholar in a graduating law school class near you!
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OBJECTIVE
The main objectives of the Summer Legal Institute are to inspire a diverse students to enter the legal profession, convince them that this profession is attainable, and assist them in college admission and preparation. In addition to these goals, the JTBF Scholars also take away other skills. The mock trial gives the student public speaking experience in front of an actual judge or attorney, and the lessons in basic legal research provide the student with a familiarity certain to be applicable and helpful in a college curriculum. At the end of the day, the SLI endeavors to give the students the resources and confidence to pursue a post-secondary education and beyond.
EXPANSION
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The 2009-10 Summer Legal Institute National Expansion Project takes the SLI model, which has been successful in Chicago, and duplicates its programming and benefits in cities that have a large underrepresented population and committed legal community. The Twin Cities, MN, Seattle, WA, Jackson, MS, and Washington, DC fit this profile and will host an SLI in 2009, with additional cities, such as New York, NY, Memphis, TN, Miami, FL, and Los Angeles, CA, being considered for 2010.
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JTBF wants to remain on the forefront of diversifying the legal profession and reach as many underrepresented students as possible. To this end, JTBF has developed a plan to expand its pivitol Summer Legal Institute (SLI) - which is entering its fourth year in Chicago - to cities across the country.
The key component to JTBF programs is its collaborative approach. JTBF calls on the civic and legal community leaders for help executing a Summer Legal Institute. By collaborating with these leaders and leveraging their skills, JTBF offers the students a chance to meet a wide array of people, hear about their unique experiences, and interact with attorneys and judges who have interesting perspectives and often similar stories.
JTBF relies on the generous contributions of corporate legal departments, law firms, and other organizations to support the program costs and provide volunteers to implement the curriculum. Here is a link to the 2008 - 2009 JTBF Sponsors and the JTBF Expansion Sponsorship Packet.
HIGHLIGHTS
Some of the highlights for past SLI participants are the Court Days, Law Firm/Corporation Lunches, Mock Trial, College Preparation Activities, Financial Literacy Day, and Attorney Exercises.
Federal & State Court Days
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JTBF Scholars are afforded a unique opportunity to interact on a very personal level with state and federal judges when they visit the State Criminal Court and the Federal District and Appellate Courts. After observing a morning call and hearing from a panel of diverse federal judges on their backgrounds and paths to the legal profession, the students are led through an overview of the court system and Constitution by an actual judge.
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Law Firm / Corporation Lunches
Law firm and corporations lunches present outstanding opportunities to meet and mingle with attorneys and learn about various legal careers. The Development and Program Directors seek out firms and corporations to sponsor and host lunches which give the students exposure to an office environment, the multitude of ways to practice law, and outstanding opportunities to meet and mingle with attorneys.
Mock Trial
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Throughout the seven day program, the students prepare for a mock oral argument which is held on the final day. Practicing attorneys, judges, summer associates, and team leaders work with the students to understand the problem and cases given, develop their arguments, and fine tune their oral presentation. A mock courtroom experience is created for the final presentation, and another set of attorneys, law professors, and actual judges ask questions and provide feedback on the student’s arguments and style. |
College Preparation Activities
The students also enjoy the college preparation activities which include visiting a college campus, essay writing workshops, and ACT tutoring. Throughout the program, information is given on college applications, admissions, financial aid, and succeeding in college.
Financial Literacy Day
The Financial Literacy Day has students learn about the stock market and investments through various games showing how wealth can be accumulated over time. This day includes a visit to the Bankruptcy Court where judges, trustees, and other attorneys utilize the C.A.R.E.(Credit Abuse and Resistance Education) program to discuss the pitfalls of credit cards and the importance of a credit score.
Attorney Exercises
| Volunteer attorneys also come to the host law school and work directly with the students. Various law-related classroom exercises such as negotiation, judicial independence, and equal protection activities are interactive and engage the students while also teaching them substantive material. As mentioned above, practicing attorneys also volunteer to work with the students on oral arguments, college essay writing, and networking skills. |
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Closing Ceremony
Upon completion of the program, parents must attend a closing ceremony where their children’s program accomplishments are recognized. The parents are also advised on the steps necessary to secure a college education as well as the expectations of law schools. A panel of representatives from college admissions, financial aid, and student life offices are assembled to discuss common issues, and parents are given an opportunity to ask pertinent questions. A law firm typically sponsors and hosts this event.
SPONSORSHIP
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