Awards of Achievement Minority Cover Sheet
Number of Exhibits: 1
Name of YLD Affiliate: SC - South Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Affiliate Type/Division: State Affiliate: Between 3000 and 8000
How did you hear about the AOA program? Friend/Colleague YLD EmailYLD Website
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
Number of young lawyers in your affiliate: App. 3,668 Is your organization affiliated with a senior bar? Yes If YES, is membership in your organization automatic? Yes
If a state organization, are you voluntary or mandatory? Mandatory When does your fiscal year begin and end? July 1-June 30
CHAIRPERSON/PRESIDENT OF AFFILIATE Name: Will Johnson
Address: 1201 Main Street, Suite 2200, Columbia, SC 29201 APPLICATION PREPARED BY (CONTACT PERSON) Name: Britt Kelly
Address: 151 Meeting Street, Suite 400, Charleston, SC Email: bkelly@rrhlawfirm.com
2013-2014 AWARS OF ACHIEVEMENT
Project Information Form
Minority
Name of YLD Affiliate: SC - South Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division
Project Title: Color of Justice Project: Historically Black Colleges and Universities Roadshow Affiliate Type/Division: State Affiliate: Between 3000 and 8000
Type of Project: Diversity
Degree of Change or Growth: New Project
Project Description: The Color of Justice is a national program of the National Association of
Women Judges. In South Carolina, the South Carolina Bar’s Young Lawyer Division initiated the Project in 2010, with a few modifications of the modeled program structure. The purpose of the program is to encourage and introduce minority students to the legal profession. The belief is that younger minority students will be motivated by seeing someone who looks like them working as a lawyer to protect their rights. The program is composed of panel discussions that include judges, lawyers, law school faculty, law school admissions staff, and current/recent law school students. Each panel provides insight on their particular area with moderator led
questions. Following the panel presentation portion of the program, the students are placed in small groups with two (2) panelists to participate in the “Getting Real with the Bench and Bar” boxed lunch session where students lead the dialogue. Immediately following the small group session, the group reconvenes as a whole for a group question and answer session. At the conclusion of the program, the students are provided with a souvenir. / / In South Carolina, the Young Lawyer Division initially implemented the program in one county, York County. The program has expanded to reach five counties: York, Orangeburg, Richland (Columbia), Charleston, and Spartanburg. In 2014, the SC Bar's YLD again expanded the program to include a College Roadshow to target students of historically black colleges and universities ("HBCU Roadshow"). The purpose of the Color of Justice College Roadshow is to equip minority college students with the tools necessary to enter the legal profession thereby increasing diversity within the profession. The expansion occurred so that we could expose students of color to the legal profession during a time when they are closer to making decisions about what to do after college. The Project had previously been focused on high school
students. / / South Carolina has eight historically black colleges and universities. The SC Bar Young Lawyer Division plans to hold events at each school in a manner similar to what it has
done for high school students. SC Bar Young Lawyer Division volunteers will speak to the students about the importance of three components: preparation, performance, and practice. The preparation component will focus on what students should do to prepare for law school and the LSAT. The performance component will address what they should expect and how to succeed in law school. The practice component will give the students insight on what it means to practice law. / / Young lawyers, and especially young minority lawyers, play a major role in organizing and leading the Color of Justice programs across South Carolina. The programming is planned by a committee of twenty young lawyers from all around the state. The young lawyers contact local schools to get student participants, secure notable panelists as speakers, secure the venue, and order lunches. Young lawyers also act as panelists during the events. / / This Spring, our young lawyers organized and hosted the first event of the College Roadshow at South Carolina State Univeristy in Orangeburg, South Carolina. South Carolina young lawyer Ashleigh Wilson met with a class of college students to discuss what is necessary to become a lawyer. (A photo taken from the event is being submitted as an Exhibit to this nomination).
Needs Assessment: The Color of Justice program in South Carolina came into existence
because of the suggestion of one of our member’s (Chisa Putman) law school professor. The professor had read about the program in an article and thought it would be a good fit for the Charleston School of Law. While in law school, Chisa organized an event at the Charleston School of Law. Once Chisa joined the Bar and discussed the project, the SC Bar YLD
leadership recognized the value of the program and obtained funding for it to flourish. The SC Bar YLD leaders did not see any organizations in the community that were attempting to accomplish the goals of the Color of Justice program or any groups with a more capable membership. / / After attending an ABA Young Lawyer Division Roundtable discussion, leaders of the SC Bar YLD developed the historically black college and university roadshow concept. /
Achievement of Goals: Yes. The HBCU Roadshow was implemented this year and provided
valuable information about the practice of law for a number of minority college students. / / Additionally, the Color of Justice program accomplished its goals in relationship to its high school student endeavors. The Project set two goals: (1) to implement the programs in more geographic areas; and (2) to increase the range of diverse students attending the program. These goals were achieved. Consequently, the Project reached approximately 100 high school students this year! / / The connections and the positive reputation built by the committee members’ great work have enabled it to plan better events.
If goals were not met, why? N/A
If Yes, will you make any revisions? The committee in charge of the Project plans to revise
the introduction letter that is mailed to the schools to better explain that we it is requesting that all minority students and not only African American students attend the events. / / The high school events are purposely designed for students residing in less affluent areas where minority students would likely not have the resources and or be exposed to the valuable information provided through the program. Our young lawyers have found that students may register for the program but not attend because of transportation challenges. Further consideration is needed to make it possible to provide transportation to those students who need it. /
Degree of Participation by Members
How many young lawyer members actually participated in this project?
• How many young lawyer Leadership (officers, directors, board membership)? 2 of 3 directly participated
• How many young lawyer committee members? 20 • How many young lawyer general membership? 30
Was the project conducted with the Senior Bar? No
What other groups or individuals participated and in what / numbers? College students;
Law students; Law school admissions staff; High school counselors; Law School Professors
What do you think is the optimum amount of members needed to / carry out this project?
5
Timeframe
How much time did it take to organize the project? 3 months
How much time did it take to recruit members for the project? 1 week
How much time did it take to carry out the project from beginning / to end? 3 months
Budget
What was the cost of this project excluding in-kind/donated / services? Depends on the
How was the project funded? Through SC Bar Young Lawyer Division Budget and an ABA
Minority grant received last year
How long did it take to raise the funds needed for this project? N/A
Suggestions/Recommendations
What suggestions/recommendations would you make to other young / lawyer groups who would consider undertaking a similar project? When attempting to schedule a date for
an event, make sure to check the relevant school districts' activity calendars to make sure there are no conflicting activities such as a football game, district wide program, Spring Break, etc.
