Marcilynn A. Burke, Dean and Dave Frohnmayer Chair in Leadership and Law at the School of Law, joins the deans at six law schools across the nation have forged a unique partnership to launch an innovative digital discussion series. The series uses a virtual platform to engage prospective students and encourage a robust conversation about legal education.
The six-session project – “Open Access: Inside Legal Education with Law School Deans” –begins in August and will feature up to 75-minute informative panels of deans and admissions leaders from the University of Oregon School of Law, USC Gould School of Law, Albany Law School, Columbia Law School, University of Colorado Law School, and University of Georgia School of Law.
The panels encompass a wide range of topics, from navigating the application process to diversity in the legal profession. Amid the temporary pause of in-person law school fairs due to the ongoing global pandemic, these interactive virtual events are designed to allow prospective students to get their questions answered, make important contacts and get a better sense of the intricacies of the study of law, as well as the benefits of a legal education.
“During this unprecedented time, developing lawyer-leaders is paramount to finding equitable solutions to the challenging issues that society faces today and will face tomorrow,” said Dean Burke. “I am honored to join the deans from law schools across the country in this unique and collaborative opportunity. Together, we will answer questions and provide insight for those who wish to pursue a legal education and use the skills and knowledge gain therein to drive positive change in the world.”
The first panel is scheduled Aug. 27, with subsequent panels scheduled every month through January 2021. All panels will be conducted via Zoom and will be archived.
Panels, topics and dates include:
- Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. ET – The Discovery Phase: Why law school, and why now?
- Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. ET – Summary Judgment: The application process demystified
- Oct. 8 at 5 p.m. ET –Extracting Evidence: Explaining the practice of law
- Oct. 21 at 3 p.m. ET – Electronic Discovery: A look at the classroom experience
- Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. ET – Diversifying the legal profession
- Jan. 14 at 5 p.m. ET – Cross-Examination: I’m a Dean at a Law School – Ask Me Anything (AMA)
To register for one or more of the panels, visit https://bit.ly/openaccesslaw. For more information about the discussion series, contact the participating law schools below.