As a law student, there are many activities and organizations available for students to join, including Moot Court and Law Review. Law students attending American Bar Association (commonly referred to as the “ABA”)-accredited or provisionally accredited law schools are eligible for complimentary membership in the North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. The NCBA offers many valuable resources and opportunities for law student members, including Networking events, Pro Bono Opportunities, Practice Seminars, and so much more.

Networking

Law school is so much more than just textbooks and lectures! Networking is an invaluable tool to make connections with local attorneys and other law students. The NCBA keeps an active calendar of events that law students can attend to practice and perfect their networking skills. These events include a range of opportunities for law students to network with attorneys in various practice areas. These events include socials, panels, committee meetings, and pro bono opportunities.

In addition to various events, the Young Lawyers Division of the NCBA offers an award-winning networking program called Grab-a-Coffee. This program pairs law students with attorneys who practice in their desired practice area. Students and attorneys paired through the program are expected to meet once, either over Zoom or in person. Grab-a-Coffee occurs twice a year and is open to all students. This is a great opportunity for law students to meet different attorneys who practice in several different interest areas.

Pro Bono Opportunities

The North Carolina Bar Foundation hosts a variety of Pro Bono programs each year, and they are always looking for law student volunteers. NCBF programs include Wills for Heroes, 4ALL-Lawyers on Call, Disaster Legal Services and more. These opportunities are great ways to give back to the community while also learning about an area of legal practice. The Wills for Heroes program hosts clinics throughout North Carolina, offering wills to local firefighters, police officers, and emergency service personnel. The program pairs local heroes with volunteer attorneys to assist in drafting simple wills, along with a health care power of attorney, and necessary advance directive documents.

4ALL-Lawyers on Call is an annual program where volunteer attorneys provide free legal information to callers in North Carolina. In 2024, volunteer attorneys answered almost 7,000 calls to assist North Carolinians with legal questions. The program also includes volunteer paralegals and law students to assist the volunteer attorneys. The program is a day-long event and a great opportunity for law students to volunteer!

Prepare for Practice

Your NCBA membership also comes with many resources that can assist in preparing to enter the practice of law. In addition to your free law student membership, law students can join one section for free! The NCBA offers 31 different sections that also host socials, continuing legal education (CLE), and networking events. Many of the NCBA’s CLEs tackle issues related to the specific section, allowing both law students and attorneys to learn something new. In addition to this, each section has a community forum where section members can communicate, discuss issues in the law, and network. Joining a practice section is a great way to learn more information about attorneys practicing in a specific area of law.

The Law Student Division (LSD) helps students develop legal and professional skills that will assist in the transition from legal education to the legal practice. The LSD and the YLD created Quick Reference Guides that offer guidance for law students and new attorneys in a variety of practice areas. Each of these guides are two to three pages long and give a brief overview of basic procedures in different areas of law, such as Property Law, Business Law, and Criminal Law. For example, there are Quick Reference Guides (or commonly referred to as a “Go-by”) on how to file a civil lawsuit, form an LLC, and the process of probating a will. These guides are a great resource for law students and new lawyers still learning the tips and tricks of the trade.

NCBA Law Student Representative Position

Being an NCBA Law Student Representative is also a great way to interact with the NCBA. Each law school in North Carolina has dedicated NCBA Law Student Representatives who work with the NCBA Director of Communities and NCBA YLD leadership. Law Student Reps are responsible for ensuring their school’s student body is plugged into the opportunities that the NCBA provides. In reaching this goal, Law Student Reps act as liaisons between their school and NCBA leadership. Law Student Reps plan NCBA events at their school and promote local NCBA activities. Applications for NCBA Law Student Representatives open annually in May.

By joining the NCBA as a law student, you can start building your professional network, access valuable resources, and gain insight into the legal profession in North Carolina before you even graduate.

November 19, 2024/by NCBA YLD