California LAW | January 2024 Newsletter
In The News
Cal LAW Scholar Spotlight:
Maribel Vargas
Mentorships and Internships Offer Invaluable Opportunities for Cal LAW Pathway Students
For many California LAW Pathway high school and community college students meeting an attorney for the first time is an exciting moment but having the opportunity to be mentored by or intern with one can be life changing.
Early in 2023 Ana Maria Bondoc, a staff attorney at The Veterans Consortium reached out to Cal LAW staff with an interest to mentor a Pathway student. “What a wonderful program,” her original email said. “I’d love to mentor a pathways student.” After a meet and greet virtual meeting with staff it was determined that a virtual opportunity to pair Ana Marie with a student since she was located in a more remote area.
California LAW Pathways is a non-profit organization created to diversify pathways into the legal profession. Everyday your contribution forwards California LAW Pathways’ mission to impact and transform the lives of hundreds of students.
Your generosity supports students! Make a DONATION today!
Justice Kelli Evans
Associate Justice
California Supreme Court
2024 Keynote Speakers
Capri Maddox
Executive Director
LA Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department
Nominations Now Open for Student Scholarships and Educational Pipeline Award
California LAW presents a number of awards that honor those that are champions in advancing diversity and fostering a culture of inclusion within the law field. By recognizing these diversity and inclusion champions, California LAW hopes to inspire others to engage in activities that will promote diversity and inclusion. Awards will be made at the 2024 Pathway to Law Summit on Friday, February 23.
Student Scholarships
The Cal LAW Pathways Student Scholarship Award assists aspiring lawyers in their educational pursuits. Each year, one high school law academy student and one community college law pathway student is awarded a $1000 scholarship at the college of their choice in their journey towards a law degree.
Cal LAW Pathways Scholarship Nomination Form – High School
Cal LAW Pathways Scholarship Nomination Form – Community College
Education Pipeline Award
The Education Pipeline Award was established in 2008 by the State Bar of California to recognize the outstanding efforts of law-related educational programs that train and support students to become interested in the judicial system and careers in the law. As of 2019, this award has been presented by California LAW Pathways.
Award Guidelines Nomination Form
2024 Application Deadline: January 26, 2024
Santa Monica College Law Pathway Program is Going Strong
(L-R) Political Science professor Christina Gabler, Ph.D., counselor Vicenta Arrizon, Ed.D., Business professor Nathan Khalil, J.D., and Interim Dean of Special Programs Debra Locke make up Santa Monica College’s Law Pathway Program team.
SANTA MONICA, CA—The Law Pathway Program at Santa Monica College (SMC)—which supports traditionally underrepresented students on their path to law school and is designed to diversify the legal profession—has entered the seventh year with 26 newly admitted students and 25 continuing students. The program has seen a 100% graduation and transfer rate since its inception. The most recent batch of 16 graduates transferred this fall—all of them headed to UCLA, with the exception of one student headed to UC Berkeley, bringing the total number of graduates over the program’s existence to 107. Read More...
Cal LAW launches Dual Enrollment Opportunity
Cal LAW is partnering with the Career Ladders Project (CLP) to provide expert guidance and assistance with enriching (or creating) your dual enrollment programs.
Cal LAW is funding this service, there is no charge to your school. If you are interested in participating in the program, please let us know at info@calawpathways.org
Past and Present Students Share Fun and Fellowship
The inaugural "Building Bridges Holiday Brunch" ushered in the holidays by connecting past alumni of the East Los Angeles College (ELAC) Pathway to Law School Program with current students in the program as well as with local lawyers and other partners in the community. The event was held in person and online via Zoom. Attendees shared life updates and awards and recognitions were given out. as well as food, fun, and lasting connections were made.
Upcoming Cal LAW Events
February 23-24, 2024: Cal LAW Annual Pathway to Law Summit | UC Davis School of Law
March 2024: Day at the Capitol | Sacramento
May 1, 2024: Law Day | Virtual
June 23-24, 2024: CLAS Summer Institute
Upcoming Law Partner Events
Thank you to our partners for sharing these opportunities. Simply click on the event and you will be taken to the flier or website with more information and registration.
January 18, 2024: University of San Francisco School of Law Application Workshop
January 25, 2024: Owning Your Pathway to Law
Sponsored by: USC Gould School of Law, Loyola Law School, California Western
School of Law, and University of San Diego School of Law
DATE: Santa Clara University School of Law
February 6, 2024: University of San Francisco School of Law Information Session on Immigration Law
March - May 2024: University of San Francisco School of Law Events for Prospective Students
Ongoing: California Lawyers Association Student Membership
As a law student in California, you are invited to join up to THREE sections of the California Lawyers Association for free! You will get to choose from 18 different sections based on your personal interests. CLA promotes excellence, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. Visit calawyers.org/student to start your membership today!
If you would like your upcoming event featured in our January newsletter, please submit it to info@calawpathways.org by January 5.
Executive Corner
A message from the Executive Director
Pamela C. Enslen, Executive Director
Greetings and Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed family and friends during a restful and joyful holiday season. It is hard to believe we are halfway through this academic year. Before moving into the holiday season last semester, I had the privilege of attending Regional Assemblies at each of the eight Cal LAW Pathway regions in the State of California. All but one of the regional meetings were in person, hosted by one of our partner schools in the area.
A message from the Advisory Board Chair
Thuy Nguyen, Advisory Board Chair
Happy New Year, Cal LAW Pathways! We are excited for 2024 – as it marks the 10th Anniversary of the 2+2+3 Community College Pathway to Law School initiative!
Thank you to all the faculty champions, students, volunteers of lawyers and judges, and administrators from all the high schools, community colleges, universities, and law schools for all the efforts you are making to our Cal LAW Pathways.
Cal LAW is a non-profit organization created to diversify pathways
into the legal profession. Everyday your contribution forwards Cal LAW’s
mission to impact and transform the lives of hundreds of students
and the communities they will serve.
Support Cal LAW today!
Social Media: Follow Us!
1102 Q Street, Suite 4800
Sacramento, CA 95811
calawpathways.org
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