Published on September 27, 2024 by Morgan Black
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Mckenzy Smith, John Koo, EJ Turner and Elizabeth Mojica, all first-generation law students, have all excelled at Cumberland School of Law.
Cumberland School of Law Dean Blake Hudson, a first-generation lawyer, said, “Perhaps someone doesn’t have anyone in their family who has ever practiced law, or they may not even know a single lawyer. This new program is designed to educate them on what a legal career looks like, provide practical insights into the skills required to both practice law and gain admittance into law school, and inspire them to pursue a legal education.”
The immersive week spent on Samford’s campus will provide a glimpse into what law school is all about and participants will gain substantive insights into various legal subjects. Real course work and advocacy skills will be taught by Cumberland School of Law professors. Lunchtime talks will include local lawyers and other professionals in the region who will share inspirational stories of how a legal career has changed their lives.
This crash course in law and legal education will be a springboard for students who ultimately decide to go to law school, giving them a distinct advantage over their peers since they will have already experienced the law school environment. In addition to the course work and practical application, students will participate professional development opportunities such as dinners and networking events with area lawyers, as well as fun social events such as Barons baseball games and law-themed movies.
John Koo, a first-generation law student and the 2024-24 Student Bar Association president at Cumberland School of Law said, “The Cumberland community is a family, something I think is rare in law schools across the country. We celebrate others’ success as our own and help each other grow. We cherish the idea that everyone has their strengths and their weaknesses, and every individual can bring value to the group. This school-wide mentality allows me to
present the best versions of myself to potential employers and to learn in a comfortable and nurturing environment.”
Applicants should be rising college sophomores, juniors and seniors with a 3.25 GPA, should demonstrate academic excellence at their undergraduate institution and extracurricular involvement and/or public service, and should provide a compelling account of their first-generation experience or experience overcoming significant obstacles in life.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 1, 2025.
Learn more and apply.
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.
