Page 6 - Briefcase Volume 37 Number 2

AWARD-WINNING PIPELINE PROGRAM CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS

2019 PreLaw Pipeline Class

In June, the University of Houston Law Center welcomed 42 school class instruction taught by Law Center faculty, legal writing and
undergraduate students from 28 colleges across the nation to its Pre- research training, and trial advocacy sessions. Each scholar then has a
Law Pipeline Program. three-week internship with a variety of law firms and legal organizations
The eight-week summer course is designed to increase diversity among in the area.
law school applicants and to provide students from low-income and Scholar II students study a comprehensive LSAT-focused curriculum
underrepresented backgrounds an opportunity to consider a legal to develop a strong foundation of LSAT basics, and build upon it
education. The program divides students into two tracks — Law School throughout the remainder of the program. They also participate in one-
Admission Council’s Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) Program on-one personal statement, diversity statement and resume workshops.
and Scholar II. “This year, we had our largest applicant pool making the admission
The program, in its fifth year as of last summer, began with generous process exceedingly competitive,” Program Director Kristen Guiseppi
financial support from Paula Myrick Short, UH senior vice president for said. “Every year, our students demonstrate the ability to adapt to the
academic affairs and provost. The program has produced 46 students program’s rigorous, fast-paced curriculum and this year is no different.
who have been accepted to law schools throughout the nation, said Dean Our scholars are committed, invested, and eager to soak up all of the
Leonard M. Baynes, who established the program. information and knowledge shared by our teaching faculty, mentors, law
Students in the PLUS Program start with five weeks of classroom school students, practicing attorneys, and other members of the legal
instruction including three weeks of first, second and third-year law community.”

ABA HONORS PRE-LAW work of the pipeline program,” Dean Leonard M. Baynes said. “Our
efforts have achieved phenomenal results with median LSAT increase of
PROGRAM 12 points, and the vast majority of the participants go off to law school.
It feels great to be recognized for our effort.”
The University of Houston Law Center’s Pre-Law Pipeline Program The Pipeline Program, which welcomed its fifth class over the summer,
was honored by the American Bar Association’s Council for Diversity in was established by Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes and Program
the Education Pipeline for its efforts on behalf of diversity in the legal Director Kristen Guiseppi. Professor Meredith J. Duncan, Assistant
profession. Dean of Diversity, Inclusion and Metropolitan Programs, oversees the
The Raymond Pace and Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Award for program.
Excellence in Pipeline Diversity was presented at the ABA Midyear The eight-week summer course is designed to increase diversity among
Meeting in Las Vegas. law school applicants.
“This Award provides the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval to the

6 Briefcase 2019