Joint National Black and Hispanic Pre-Law Conference for Aspiring Lawyers Launches This Week in Houston

By: PRLog
Houston will serve as the host city for the joint 11th Annual National Black Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair and the Inaugural National Hispanic Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair on Friday, November 13, 2015 and Saturday, November 14, 2015 at the University of Houston Law Center. This world-class pre-professional event was designed to help increase the representation and chances of success of both Black and Latino aspiring lawyers. It is free of charge and everyone is welcome.
HOUSTON - Nov. 10, 2015 - PRLog -- National Pre-Law Diversity Initiatives, Inc. will be hosting the decade-long, award-winning 11th Annual National Black Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair on Friday, November 13, 2015 and Saturday, November 14, 2015 at the University of Houston Law Center in Houston, Texas.  This event is known as the nation’s premier information-sharing and networking empowerment event focused on the success of the aspiring Black lawyer and has positively impacted countless Black law school aspirants from across the country who have benefited from the incredible “insider” information, resources, and potentially life-changing connections that it provides that attendees might not otherwise have access to.  New this year, the conference will be jointly hosting the Inaugural National Hispanic Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair providing Latino students with outstanding law student and attorney role models and potential mentors to learn from.  Registrants of either event will receive the full benefits of two major events all in one larger joint conference.

According to Attorney Evangeline M. Mitchell, the non-profit executive director and conference founder, “This pre-law event is special not only because we offer so much in terms of nationally known and prominent speakers as well as exceptional panels and workshops rich in substantive content, but also because we are bringing together an important joint event this year.  Attendees will be able to participate in stimulating discussion beyond just the challenges of law school and being a minority in this profession, but we are also considering ways that both the Black and Hispanic communities can effectively work together to collaborate and coalition build toward the common goal of increasing the representation and success of both Black and Latino law students and lawyers.  This is vitally important because law school and the legal profession are extremely competitive and challenging, and both are in tremendous need of greater diversity.  Our communities share a lot in common and our discussing ways we can work together is important and timely.”

This national diversity pipeline event, unlike anything else being offered in the country to pre-law students, is a difference maker for many attendees and is one solid effort in helping to increase the diversity that the legal profession sorely needs. The same successful model that has resonated with attendees and made the event successful for ten years will continue to be used this year.  The plus factor is that both Black and Latino students can benefit, learn more about the challenges that each others’ communities face, and be encouraged to take a leadership role in bringing their communities together around common goals once they become law students and lawyers.

This groundbreaking and intense event is jam-packed with everything any aspiring lawyer would need to know before deciding to pursue the difficult path to lawyerhood.  There will be thought-provoking panel discussions made up of experienced law school administrators and accomplished and knowledgeable law students, law graduates, law professors, lawyers, judges and professionals from across the nation.  Key information will be shared about being competitive in the admissions process, about exhibiting professionalism, good etiquette and mandatory soft skills, preparing for and making the most of the law school experience, navigating diversity issues, the challenges of life as a Black and Latino law student, the different career options armed with legal training, and the additional obstacles that Black and Latino lawyers face in entering into and advancing in the legal profession.

There will also be expert workshops conducted discussing law school admission essays, financial aid, and Law School Admission Test (LSAT) test-taking strategies.  Pre-law attendees will be able to get all of their questions answered and speak with a law student, lawyer or law school administrator one-on-one during the Law School Admission and preparation Advice Clinic.  They can also bring in admissions essays or resumes to be reviewed during the Practical Assistance Session.  Even more, registrants will have the opportunity to tour Houston law schools, participate in mock law school classes, take a mock diagnostic LSAT exam, attend networking receptions, and take part in a raffle to win a free LSAT course.  Further, all pre-law attendees receive free resources including complimentary LSAT books and books on law school admission, success and passing the bar exam.  All participants also receive free gifts at registration.  Complimentary food will be provided.

The dynamic group of keynote speakers for the National Black Pre-Law Conference include: Charles J. Ogletree Jr., Esq., Jesse Climenko Professor of Law and Founder and Executive Director, Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice, Harvard Law School (Cambridge, Massachusetts); Benjamin L. Crump, Esq., President, National Bar Association and Partner, Parks and Crump PLLC (Tallahassee, Florida); Nicolaine Lazarre, Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel, National Urban League (New York, New York); Sylvester Turner, Esq., Houston Mayoral Candidate, Former 25-Year Texas State Representative and Principal, Barnes and Turner (Houston, Texas); Honoree Joseph Hairston, Esq., Retired Attorney and Veteran (First African American U.S. Army Helicopter Pilot and First African American Senior Executive of IRS Office of Chief Counsel) (Washington, DC); and Honoree The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee, Congresswoman, U.S. House of Representatives, 18th Congressional District (Legacy Builder Honoree) (Houston, Texas and Washington, DC).

The incredible keynote speakers for the National Hispanic Pre-Law Conference include: Benny Agosto, Jr., Esq., Partner, Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Friend and Co-Founder, Hispanic National Bar Association – Legal Education Fund (HNBA-LEF) (Houston, Texas);  Robert T. Maldonado, Esq., President, Hispanic National Bar Association and Partner, Cooper & Dunham LLP (New York, New York); Linda Maria Wayner, Esq., Executive Director, Latino Institute for Human Rights, New York University School of Law, Public Interest Law Center (New York, New York); Honoree Thomas A. Saenz, Esq., President and CEO, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) (Los Angeles, California); and Honoree The Honorable Josefina Rendon, Associate Judge, City of Houston Municipal Courts and Mediator, Rendon Mediation (the first Latina Civil District Court Judge in Harris County) (Houston, Texas).

In total, there will be over 100 keynote and special speakers, presenters, panelists, moderators and advisors planning to attend for the sole purpose of encouraging and informing aspiring minority lawyers in attendance.  Nearly 80 law schools will participate in the Law School Recruitment Fair.  After two full, power-packed days of activities, the conference experience will end on a high note with the highly-anticipated and impactful Aspiring Lawyers Pinning Ceremony where each aspiring lawyer will recite the success pledge, receive a symbolic gift and be pinned by a current lawyer in order to instill seeds of high expectation and confidence into them.

All aspiring lawyers, particularly Blacks and Hispanics, are encouraged to register and attend.  Everyone is welcome to attend regardless of race, ethnicity or cultural group identity.  High school students, college students and graduates, working professionals, career changers, multicultural, career and pre-law advisors, as well as supporters and parents are all invited to take advantage of the amazing benefits this conference offers.  Admission is completely free of charge and the event is open to the public.  Pre-registration online is strongly encouraged.  However, walk-in registrants are welcomed and no one interested in attending will be turned away.

Further information on the National Black Pre-Law Conference can be found at the official conference websites at http://www.BlackPreLawConference.org and http://www.HispanicPreLawConference.org.  You may also feel free to call 281-944-LAW4(5294) with any questions or concerns.

Media Contact
Evangeline M. Mitchell, Esq.
281-944-5294
***@gmail.com

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