Article from Pace Law School Newswire

“Society as a whole benefits immeasurably from a climate in which all persons, regardless of race or gender, may have the opportunity to earn respect, responsibility, advancement and remuneration based on ability.” Sandra Day O’Connor , the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court.

WHITE PLAINS, NY, June 29, 2012– In mid-July, 50 high school students from Westchester County and New York City will participate in the fourth annual Summer Justice Academy for Young Women. Sponsored by Pace Law School and the New York Chapter of the National Association of Women Judges, these bright young women from disadvantaged and minority backgrounds will immerse themselves in a program designed to inspire them to pursue educational opportunities that will lead to careers in the law—and possibly follow in Justice O’Connor’s footsteps.

“I am pleased to offer the unmatched exposure to the legal profession to underserved young women from our local area,” said the Hon. La Tia W. Martin, Bronx County Supreme Court Justice and creator of the program. “This year’s Summer Justice Academy has been expanded to include a two-week intensive legal education curriculum with an overnight trip to Washington, D.C. We have assembled a dynamic group of judges, attorneys, and law professors to provide lectures to these outstanding high school students.”

The Summer Justice Academy, which takes place this summer from July 9 – 20, will cover such topics as criminal law, civil procedure, Constitutional law, foreclosures, human trafficking, matrimonial law, environmental law, health law, domestic violence, and cyber bullying. The professionals have all donated their time and, in addition to serving as lecturers, will remain available to the young women as role models and mentors.

“The Summer Justice Academy has changed young women’s lives,” said Dean Michelle Simon, one of three Pace Law faculty members who will teach this year. “Each year we have watched them discover just how capable they are and how much they have to give to the world.”

The Summer Justice Academy students will take classes at Pace Law School’s White Plains campus. In addition to the trip to the nation’s capital, they will also visit the Westchester County Courthouse.