LAWbound

In June of 2005, LatinoJustice PRLDEF launched a new initiative called LAWbound®, a project whose aim was to increase the number of Latinos who successfully stay on the path to law school. 2010 marks our sixth consecutive year offering this innovative pre-law program.

With the support of the Office of Diversity Initiatives of the Law School Admission Council, LAWbound builds upon our current pre-law programming and identifies Latino students early in their college career. The program provides targeted services that address some of the most common barriers to admission to law school, and helps students effectively navigate the law school admissions process, and, in turn, underwrite their own success.

Our goal is simple. To increase the number of Latinos who go to law school.

The LAWbound program plan includes:

1. Outreach, recruitment and college activities
2. The Luis J. DeGraffe LAWbound Summer/Winter Academy
3. Mentoring and networking
4. Wrap-around programming that improves access from law school to bar admission.

Late CUNY Law School Professor Luis J. DeGraffe (who was also the former LatinoJustice PRLDEF Education Director) developed the LAWbound curriculum and served as the first Academic Director. The summer program was renamed the Luis J. DeGraffe Summer Academy in his memory.

Within the week-long intensive course, LAWbound demystifies the law school application process, introduces legal methods and processes, covers the importance of course selection throughout a student’s undergraduate program to prepare for law school, and introduces career paths and options for law school graduates. Students have the opportunity to establish relationships and ask questions in informal, relaxed and social settings throughout the week with LatinoJustice PRLDEF attorneys, guest speakers and lawyers, and current law students.

Students also visit attorneys in their professional settings. In the program’s first five years, LAWbound scholars have visited judges’ chambers, a small private law practice, major NY law firms, the NYS Attorney General’s Office, the Legal Aid Society and an area law school. These are wonderful networking opportunities for students who are considering a legal career.

Up to 30 applicants will be accepted as LAWbound Scholars, and attend the LAWbound Luis J. DeGraffe Summer/Winter Academy. LAWbound scholars will also be matched with a law student mentor through our partnership with the Hispanic National Bar Association National Mentoring Program. LAWbound Scholars also receive wrap-around services – such as a discounted LSAT preparatory class and in-depth counseling on law school admissions provided by LatinoJustice PRLDEF – that will improve access to law school.

Contact Sonji Patrick at (212) 739-7497 or via e-mail at spatrick@latinojustice.org for more information.

Program Eligibility Requirements

• Demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing a legal education.
• Must be of Hispanic heritage and currently enrolled as a college freshman or sophomore during initial application to the program.
• Demonstrate strong academic potential with a minimum overall B average or better and permit LatinoJustice PRLDEF access to your academic record.
• Must be able to attend the full summer prep program, which takes place in August 2010. Alternatively, applicant must be able to attend our new Winter LAWbound academy which takes place in mid January.