Page 48 - Briefcase Volume 38 Number 1

PRE-LAW PIPELINE PROGRAM

NATALIE

DIALA ’20

PRE-LAW PIPELINE

PROGRAM AND
UH LAW DEGREE

TAKE DIALA TO TOP
LAW FIRM

In 2016, Natalie Diala was looking for a challenge and her law career as a corporate associate at Thompson
thought maybe law school was the best way to put her & Knight LLP.
undergraduate training in “The pipeline program helped
communications to use. by preparing me for law school
After talking to mentors and “Coming to UH Law in general which was a great
friends, the University of asset,” she said. “It also helped
Miami graduate enrolled in the was the best decision to connect me to practicing
Pre-Law Pipeline Program at I ever made.” attorneys who guided me
the University of Houston Law throughout my academic career
Center. The intensive eight-week and into my professional career.
summer program is designed Coming to UH Law was the best
to increase diversity among law school applicants, decision I ever made.”
introduce them to the rigors of law school, and give A special moment during her time at the Law Center
them the opportunity to consider a career in law. came when Associate Supreme Court Justice Sonia
“I was still researching and figuring things out,” she said Sotomayor visited and student messages were read to
later. “I went into the program thinking that it would her: “Justice Sotomayor is a constant reminder to me, a
help me know for sure if law was something that I first-generation American, that the American Dream is
wanted to pursue. At the end of the program I knew I attainable,” wrote Diala whose parents emigrated from
definitely wanted to be an attorney.” Nigeria. “Her life is one of the greatest messages that
She applied to the Law Center and made the dean’s list regardless of upbringing, language, culture or family,
hard work and integrity will continue to open doors in
her first semester. She graduated in May and will start
this country.”

48 UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON LAW CENTER