Minority Pre-Law Conference

Goals of the Minority Pre-Law Conference

One of the goals of the Young Lawyers Section of the Alabama State Bar is to assist lawyers around Alabama in making a difference in their communities. The Minority Pre Law Conference is one such endeavor. The Minority Pre Law Conference was started over 15 years ago by members of the Executive Committee of the Young Lawyers Section. Teenagers from schools around Central Alabama are invited to participate in a real case study, given actual fact scenarios, and a trial is held. Students are often given the opportunity to participate in the trial as jurors.

Another goal of the Young Lawyers Section is to expand this program and have a Minority Pre-Law Conference in Birmingham as well as Montgomery, with expansion to other cities coming in the future.

The Alabama State Bar Young Lawyers’ Section, the Capital City Bar Association and the Alabama Lawyers Association are responsible for the Annual Minority Pre-Law Conference. The Conference is designed to introduce eleventh and twelfth grade students to the American civil and criminal justice system. The program provides students a unique opportunity to talk one-on-one with practicing minority lawyers.

During the program, students also have an opportunity to view a simulated trial, performed by practicing attorneys. This experience is designed to give students a better understanding of how courts of the United States resolve legal conflicts and the roles judges, lawyers, juries, and witnesses play in the system. Through participating in the mock trial as jurors, students gain an insiders perspective on courtroom procedure. Additionally, a panel of minority attorneys working in different fields of law discusses their daily activities in order for students to gain insight into the many different opportunities available in the legal profession. The Conference also provides a luncheon with a special keynote speaker. The Conference is generally held in April every year in Birmingham and Montgomery. High schools in the surrounding local areas are invited to attend.

If you are interested in volunteering your time to help with this endeavor, you want your school to participate, or you would like to help sponsor the Minority Pre Law Conference, please e-mail Navan Ward at navan.ward@beasleyallen.com or by phone at (334) 269-2343 or (800) 898-2034.