Do you remember the anticipation you felt in the weeks leading up to law school? Do you remember if hearing stories about unending class prep and the dreaded Socratic method filled you with anxiety? Or maybe you didn’t know what to expect.
No matter what comes to mind, most law students likely feel a mix of excitement and apprehension leading up to law school. Some may be a little more familiar with the process, thanks to exposure to the legal profession through lawyers in their family or social networks. For others, law school may be their first interaction with the legal profession.
This is where Jumpstart comes in. Jumpstart – which was created by Judge Ann Claire Williams (Ret.), the first judge of color to sit on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit – is a pre-law school program designed to prepare incoming 1Ls for their first year of law school and, further out, a legal career. The Commission on Professionalism has been involved in the program since 2013.
Jumpstart preps students through a three-day program just before law school orientation. The program covers fundamental topics like how to write like a lawyer and perform legal analysis, as well as softer skills like networking and maintaining personal/professional balance. Participants are selected by their law schools and all nine Illinois law schools participate in the program
As the Commission’s Jumpstart coordinator, I have been collaborating with representatives from Illinois law schools to develop a curriculum for our 2024 session, which kicks off on August 6.
Part of this includes reflecting on how the program has supported former Jumpstart students, as they graduate from law school and embark on impressive legal careers.
I recently checked in with three such students, to see where they are now and to ask for their advice for 2024 1Ls.
What were some of the most valuable skills you learned in Jumpstart?
Jumpstart equipped me with essential skills like effective class preparation, notetaking, and exam-writing techniques that were invaluable throughout my law school journey.
Connecting with judges, attorneys, and law school faculty through networking opportunities provided me with practical insights and forged meaningful connections that continue to benefit me today.
What is one piece of advice you would give incoming law students?
One piece of advice I would offer incoming law students is to take advantage of any available resources and support systems right away – attend networking events, seek mentorship from professors who inspire you, and make the most of academic support services.
These steps not only enriched my law school journey but also laid a strong foundation for my legal career.
What is your favorite part of being a lawyer?
My favorite part of being a lawyer has been the opportunity to directly assist clients in navigating their legal challenges, particularly through pro bono work where I can make a meaningful impact.
Equally fulfilling is mentoring law students and junior associates, providing guidance and sharing experiences to help them navigate law school and start their careers successfully.
What are some of the most significant changes you have seen in the legal profession?
One of the most significant changes in the legal profession in recent years has been the increased diversity in the judiciary. This shift has led to more opportunities for historically underrepresented groups to serve as judges, thereby fostering greater trust and confidence in the judicial system among diverse communities.
This trend not only enhances the legitimacy of court decisions but also enriches judicial perspectives, ensuring a more equitable administration of justice for all.
What were some of the most valuable skills you learned in Jumpstart?
The Jumpstart Program helped demystify the law school experience and equipped me with essential skills and strategies. I really appreciated the opportunity to go through a class simulation and learn how to analyze a case to get over any first-day jitters.
Networking is so important, and being able to hear and talk to panelists about judicial externships, programs during law school, and future careers really helped me map out my path before classes even began.
What is one piece of advice you would give incoming law students?
One piece of advice I would give to incoming law students is to be proactive in seeking out resources and building a trustworthy support network. Law school can be incredibly demanding, and it’s essential to utilize all available resources, whether it’s academic support, mentorship, or accessibility services.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help and collaborate with your peers. Building a strong support network can provide not only academic assistance but also emotional support, which is equally important.
Remember, other people’s stress about law school is not your stress. Be confident in your abilities and the skills you are learning for your future career.
What is your favorite part of being a lawyer?
My favorite part of being a lawyer is the ability to build meaningful relationships through my work. Engaging directly with clients, judges, and even sometimes opposing counsel has been incredibly rewarding.
I enjoy preparing my clients for trial, ensuring they understand the process, and confidently advocating for them in court. The human aspect of lawyering – being able to connect, communicate, and build trust – is what I find most fulfilling.
It’s gratifying to know that my efforts are making a positive impact on my clients’ lives and helping them navigate complex legal challenges.
What are some of the most significant changes you have seen in the legal profession?
One of the biggest changes in the legal profession is the shift toward specialization. As laws and regulations become more complex, there is an increasing demand for lawyers with deep expertise in specific areas, such as cybersecurity, environmental law, and intellectual property. This trend offers significant opportunities for lawyers to develop niche practices and become leaders in their chosen fields.
Additionally, the rise of alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation and arbitration, is transforming how disputes are resolved, offering more efficient and flexible options outside of traditional courtroom litigation.
These changes present exciting opportunities for lawyers to innovate and adapt their practices to better meet the needs of their clients.
What were some of the most valuable skills you learned in Jumpstart?
First, I must say that Jumpstart was such a valuable experience for a number of reasons. As a first-generation college graduate and incoming law student from an underrepresented population within the law, I had no idea what I was doing or what to expect. Jumpstart really filled that void with the nuts and bolts of how to be successful as a first-year law student and beyond.
I remember the Honorable Ann Claire Williams sharing a story about not knowing the difference between an appellant and an appellee at the beginning of her legal career, and she ascended all the way to the Seventh Circuit. That in itself was inspiring. Fortunately, for all the participants in my cohort, we made sure to know [the difference between appellant and appellee] on the first day of class.
Beyond that, the thing that has stuck most with me from my Jumpstart experience is the relationships. Some of the very people who have supported me through my highest and lowest moments are individuals that I first met in Jumpstart like Lorianna Anderson and Mariah Mata.
I implore all the participants to cherish your connections and continue to foster them over the years to come.
What is one piece of advice you would give incoming law students?
My biggest piece of advice to incoming law students is to run your own race and limit your comparison to others.
I think about the story of “The Tortoise and the Hare.” In the story, the hare was overconfident in winning and ends up stopping to fall asleep during the race. The tortoise, on the other hand, kept moving forward – although slowly – and ended up winning the overall race.
I think the moral of that story is akin to the law school experience. In the end, it always works out how it is meant to be. The next three years of your life will be extremely challenging, but hold onto your North Star through this intense process and get out of your head because you belong.
So buckle down, do the work, do not be afraid to ask for help, and reach back to uplift someone else on your way.
What has been your favorite part of being a lawyer?
Since law school graduation, I have been all over the place literally and figuratively. Shortly after law school graduation, I was knee-deep in a primary election for the Cook County Board of Commissioners. When I came up short in the race and due to other personal circumstances, I embraced substantive work in the government, non-profit, and political sectors.
That is the luxury of having a Juris Doctor and being equipped with tools and training to go forth in the world and be perceived as someone who can figure it out or get things done. Thus far, that aspect of being a lawyer has been the most fulfilling.
Finally, I would like to note that my pivot to a more traditional practice role has been intense, but not impossible. A few weeks after this blog post is published, I should have good news to announce on that front!
What are some of the most significant opportunities you see in the legal profession?
I think the biggest opportunity within the legal profession is centered around deeply and unequivocally embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion, which is our greatest strength, especially at a time when many bad actors are using the rule of law to erode substantial progress.
In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw institutions finally start to express an openness to having a racial reckoning in this country … yet, here we are not even five years later and it is almost like the murder of George Floyd did not mean anything at all for progress.
I am hopeful that as we move forward, we rip the Band-Aid off and have a true and frank conversation on the path forward.
Separately, the rise and role of artificial intelligence is something that I am keeping my eye on.
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The experiences Jade, Gretchen, and Jaylin had in Jumpstart are not unique. In a 2023 survey of Jumpstart students, 100% said that they would encourage their peers to apply to be a part of Jumpstart.
As one student shared, “Jumpstart gave me the confidence and willpower to take on the beast called law school.”
The Jumpstart program is ultimately designed to help incoming 1Ls feel that they belong in the legal profession by arming them with the knowledge to feel confident and prepared.
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