On Saturday, March 21, 2020, the Minorities in the Profession Committee (“MIP”) of the North Carolina Bar Association will host the 6th Annual Minority Pre-Law Conference: “Putting the Pieces Together: Is Law School the Right Fit?” This year’s conference will take place from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Duke University School of Law in Durham, North Carolina and will feature a keynote address from Duke Law alumnus and Durham County District Attorney, the Honorable Satana Deberry. The program is open to all minority middle school, high school, and college students, who are interested in attending law school. And, most importantly, it’s FREE!

What is the MIP Minority Pre-Law Conference?

The MIP Minority Pre-Law Conference is a program designed to empower minority students with the knowledge and tools necessary to successfully navigate the journey of becoming a lawyer. Despite the increasing focus on diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, law remains the least diverse profession in the nation. Students from underrepresented backgrounds may not have lawyers in their families or communities, which makes it difficult to see oneself as a lawyer. The lack of insight about the application process, LSAT, and financial aid also may deter some students. The Minority Pre-Law Conference provides students with valuable information, resources, and contacts to help them better understand their options and overcome these obstacles.

I’m a minority student. Why should I attend the MIP Minority Pre-Law Conference?

Students who attend will learn about the law school admissions process from current law school admissions counselors. A panel of law school career services counselors will discuss financial aid options and address the issue of whether law school is still worth the investment. A distinguished panel of lawyers will discuss different career paths for lawyers, and current law students will discuss their experiences. Attendees also will participate in a mock law school class led by a current Duke Law professor and hear from the dean of Duke Law, Kerry Abrams. This conference also features a networking lunch and law school career fair that will include representatives from several law schools in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Finally, Durham County’s top prosecutor, the Honorable Satana Deberry, will provide the keynote address. As a woman of color in a state where ninety-five percent of elected district attorneys are white, District Attorney Deberry has fundamentally changed the prosecution of crime in Durham with progressive policies that seek to help citizens avoid criminal justice involvement, while keeping the community safe. Her story is sure to inspire those who hear it.

What is the registration process and deadline to register?

To register for this FREE conference, please email Sidney Shank at [email protected]. Attendees must register by March 13th. We look forward to seeing you soon!

LaToya Powell is an Assistant Legal Counsel in the Office of General Counsel at the NC Administrative Office of the Courts, where she advises judicial officials and their staff primarily on juvenile delinquency matters. Prior to joining the NCAOC, she was an Assistant Professor of Public Law and Government at the UNC School of Government where she focused on juvenile law. Prior to becoming a law professor, she handled juvenile delinquency appeals as an Assistant Attorney General in the Appellate Section of the NC Department of Justice and worked as a juvenile prosecutor in the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Campbell University School of Law and an active member of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Juvenile Justice and Children’s Rights Section and Minorities in the Profession Committee. She is a graduate of NC State University and UNC School of Law and is admitted to the N.C. State Bar and U.S. Supreme Court Bar. She lives in Cary with her husband and son and enjoys running marathons as a hobby.

February 12, 2020/by NCBA MIP