Law School Unmasked™: Building a Solid Foundation
LSAC is pleased to introduce Law School Unmasked™, a series of lectures and panel discussions focusing on topics essential for law school success specifically designed for incoming 1L students and those considering a future in law. The program will cover topics ranging from academic skill building to exploring career opportunities in and after law school, and everything in between.
This series will be taught by law school faculty and other legal education professionals who will guide you to:
- Eliminate surprises as you begin your first year in law school
- Understand the structure, methods, and expectations of law school
- Enhance and continue to build critical-thinking, writing, and other important skills
- Envision your career as a lawyer
Join us online June 22 through July 8!
Schedule of Events
Session 1: Lecture
Lawyers as Leaders: Mapping Your Own Leadership Journey
Tuesday, June 22
12:00 p.m. ET
Law is a pillar of a just and prosperous society. Lawyers, as the guardians of law, democracy and the common good, are looked to as leaders – with both a big “L” and a little “l.” This session will help you outline your own vision for leadership and map the first steps of your unique journey.
Presenters:
Garry Jenkins, Dean and William S. Pattee Professor of Law
University of Minnesota Law School
Kellye Testy, President and CEO
Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
Session 2: Lecture
Structure of Law School
Wednesday, June 23
12:00 p.m. ET
Law school starts fast and the pace throughout the program remains intense. Your 1L year is especially important as it sets the building blocks for the rest of the law school courses. Join this session to become familiar with the structure of law school and what is expected at each stage of the program. You’ll learn about the core first-year subjects and why they are taught, and how these courses fit with the rest of law school.
Presenters:
Marcilynn A. Burke, Dean and Dave Frohmayer Chair in Leadership
and Law
University of Oregon School of Law
Kellye Testy, President and CEO
LSAC
John V. White, Ralph Denton Professor of Law
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, William S. Boyd School of Law
Session 3: Roundtable
Dispelling Misconceptions: Biggest Surprises in 1L
Thursday, June 24
12:00 p.m. ET
Hear from recent graduates what they wish they had known before starting law school. Panelists will share their experiences and first-hand accounts of what worked, and what didn’t, to help you avoid the pitfalls others experienced at the start of their legal education.
Panelists:
Ruben Felix, Sr. Communication Coordinator at Domo, Inc.
Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School
Charlie Stegner-Freitag, Law Clerk, New Jersey Office of Administrative Law
Villanova University, Charles Widger School of Law
Luisa Maria Hernandez, associate attorney, Connell Foley LLP
Washington and Lee University School of Law
Imokhai Okolo, associate attorney, Jones Day
University of Akron School of Law
Moderator:
Evan Didier, director of enrollment management
LSAC
Session 4: Lecture
Skills Needed for Law School: Critical Thinking
Tuesday, June 29
12:00 p.m. ET
Ever wonder what the phrase “think like a lawyer” means? This session will pull back the curtain so that you can learn from current law faculty exactly what they expect and the reasons behind the methods they use in teaching their courses. You’ll also learn the key study skills to rely on for academic success.
Download Session 4 Materials (PDF)
Presenters:
Heather Gerken, Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law
Yale Law School
Elizabeth Kronk Warner, Jefferson B. & Rita E. Fordham Presidential Dean and Professor of Law
University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law
Rodney Fong, Associate Dean for Academic Achievement, Program Assessment & Bar Preparation; Clinical Professor of Law
University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
Session 5: Lecture
Skills Needed for Law School: Briefing a Case
Wednesday, June 30
12:00 p.m. ET
Cases are fundamental to the understanding and practice of law. In this session, you will learn several core principles of law, work on an actual case, and practice reading comprehensively and reasoning soundly – two of the three most important skills for success in law school.
Download Session 5 Materials (PDF)
Presenter:
Steve Calandrillo, Jeffrey & Susan Brotman Professor of Law
University of Washington School of Law
Session 6: Lecture
Skills Needed for Law School: Legal Writing
Thursday, July 1
12:00 p.m. ET
There is writing, and then there is legal writing. Writing is a critical skill for success in law school. In this session you will learn what is meant by good “legal” writing and how to prepare to enhance your skills in this important discipline.
Download Session 6 Materials (PDF)
Presenter:
Renee Nicole Allen, Assistant Professor of Legal Writing; Faculty Advisor, First Generation Professionals; Faculty Advisor, Women's Law Society; Co-Director, Writing Center
St. John’s University School of Law
Session 7: Lecture
Skills for Professional Success
Tuesday, July 6
12:00 p.m. ET
Law school helps you acquire the knowledge, skills, and values of law; however, these are not the only skills you need to thrive. Teamwork, resilience, time management, cultural competency, and other skills make the difference in your success and satisfaction as a student and as a professional.
Presenter:
Nancy Benavides, Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Advancement
Florida State University College of Law
Session 8: Lecture
Careers with a Law Degree
Wednesday, July 7
12:00 p.m. ET
From policy-making to finance, and from civil rights to law enforcement, a career in law can go in many directions. Learning what lawyers do will help you start to form your own career goals and professional identity.
Presenters:
Paulette Brown, Partner, Locke Lord LLP; Partner & Chief Diversity Officer, Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP
Kevin Washburn, N. William Hines Dean and Professor of Law
The University of Iowa College of Law
Denise Robinson, Founding Principal
The Still Center LLC
Annmarie Levins, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer
LSAC
Session 9: Roundtable
Advice from the Field
Thursday, July 8
12:00 p.m. ET
You’ve made it! You've completed your JD degree. Now what? Hear from current lawyers about their experiences, what they found once they finished law school, and how they have adjusted and adapted to get their careers started.
Panelists:
The Honorable Mary I. Yu, Justice
Washington Supreme Court
Kristen Juhan, Corporate Counsel
Green Dot Corporation
Joseph West, Partner and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Duane Morris
Moderator:
Angela Winfield, Chief Diversity Officer
LSAC
Support for Law School Unmasked™
We are here to support you. If you have questions about Law School Unmasked™, please contact us at Events@LSAC.org.