Article from Pace Law School Newswire
WHITE PLAINS, NY, July 5, 2011– It was not very long ago that women lacked equal access to law schools and the legal profession. Young women growing up today in underprivileged circumstances may likewise consider a career in the law inaccessible—if they’ve even considered it at all.
This month, Pace Law School and the New York Chapter of the National Association of Women Judges hope to change that for 35 female high school students from Westchester County and New York City who will participate in the third annual Summer Justice Academy for Young Women. This one-week immersion program seeks to inspire and empower minority and disadvantaged high school students to pursue education leading to careers in law.
From July 11-15, women judges, practicing lawyers and Pace Law School professors, all donating their time, will introduce these young women to different legal fields and professions, and to the elements of legal analysis. Topics covered will include criminal law, civil procedure, Constitutional law, foreclosures, human trafficking, matrimonial law, environmental law, health law, domestic violence and cyber bullying issues. In addition to imparting knowledge, the lecturers will serve as needed role models to support the young women as they pursue higher education and professional careers.
The Honorable La Tia W. Martin, Bronx County Supreme Court Justice and creator of the program, commented, “The benefit of this unique program is to introduce the participants to the legal profession, as well as to teach life skills and core values. I am pleased that we have chosen students who would not necessarily have had the option to receive such legal immersion training and exposure to advanced critical thinking and leadership challenges.”
“Any girl who has ever thought about changing the world will love the Summer Justice Academy,” said Pace Law School Dean Michelle Simon, one of three Pace Law faculty members who will teach at the Summer Justice Academy. “This program jump-starts the leaders of tomorrow in thinking about the power and possibility of the law to achieve justice for individuals, communities and for the world. The law is a noble profession, and it gives me great pleasure to be part of a program that encourages bright young women to achieve their professional goals.”
In addition to taking classes on Pace Law School’s White Plains campus, the Justice Academy students will visit the Westchester County Courthouse and Washington, D.C., taking guided tours of the Capitol Building, the United States Supreme Court and possibly the White House.
Justice Martin noted, “In its two years of operation, the Justice Academy has already motivated students to go on to college. They now credit the Justice Academy with exposing them to the tremendous opportunities of a legal education and giving them the confidence and inspiration to pursue careers in law. The program has been a huge success as a result of the overwhelming support of the legal community, including judges, attorneys, law professors and law students who have served as voluntary lecturers.” See comments below from past participants in the Justice Academy.
Reporters may arrange to observe a session of the Justice Academy by contacting Lauren Rubenstein, Pace Law School manager of media relations, in advance at (914) 422-4389.
Contact:
Lauren Rubenstein
Manager, Media Relations
(914) 422-4389
cell (914) 329-8680
Comments from past participants in the Justice Academy:
“This program has taught me that a law education can be a means to tremendous opportunities in life. The people I have met and everything I learned will facilitate my career decisions.”
-Aqsa Nadeem, now a rising freshman Drexel University
“The program gave me an opportunity to interact and learn from renowned judges and lawyers. It was a privilege to attend.”
-Rumsha Zahid, now a student at Pace University
“The Summer Justice Academy could benefit any girl—not just those who want to be lawyers.”
-Imani St. Hilaire, New Rochelle High School student
Founded in 1976, Pace Law School has over 7,000 alumni throughout the country and the world and is consistently ranked among the nation’s top three programs in environmental law. It offers full- and part-time JD programs on its White Plains, NY, campus and offers the Master of Laws degree in Environmental Law and Comparative Legal Studies, and a Doctor of Laws in environmental law. The School of Law is part of Pace University, a comprehensive, independent, and diversified university with campuses in New York City and Westchester County. www.law.pace.edu
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