Wilbur Cross Pipeline Initiative
On May 31st, Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C. attorneys, summer associates, and interns visited Wilbur Cross High School as part of the firm’s pledge to the Connecticut Bar Association diversity and inclusion committee and pipeline initiative. The project ultimately aims to enhance diversity within the legal community in the State of Connecticut. Specifically, the pipeline initiative targets the lack of diversity in legal education, and serves to inform high school students of their options in pursuing a legal education or career. The visit to Wilbur Cross, headed by attorneys Evan Goldstein and Gideon Asemnor, allowed summer associates and interns to participate in a mock voir dire assignment, as well as the opportunity to share their reasons for entering the legal field, and what steps students may take in order to further similar aspirations.
Summer associates Brooke Tinnerello, Isaiah Lee, and Kyle Czapiga conducted an interactive activity amongst the students. Those in the classroom were supplied with the fact pattern of the Fourth Amendment search and seizure Supreme Court case, New Jersey v. T.L.O., dealing with rights regarding property, expectations of privacy, and the safety of schools. After consideration of the facts, a mock voir dire was performed, with the summer associates acting as questioning attorneys. In the activity, high school students were asked a series of questions, similarly to the way a potential juror would be asked when determining whether the student could be a potential juror for the plaintiff or defendant. Students were asked to apply prior knowledge from their own personal school experience and curriculum in order to determine why certain questions were asked and why the potential presence of bias on a jury is important. The mock voir dire allowed students to establish an understanding of a common practice in law, and to think objectively about its importance.
Following the mock voir dire, summer associates as well as summer interns Sara Casimir and Morgan Goldstein, more formally introduced themselves and discussed why they want to attend law school and what drives them to be an attorney. The students were incredibly involved, and asked various questions in order to receive additional information about the legal field, the speaker's’ personal experiences, and how to pursue their desired career and education goals.
The intention of this pipeline program initiated by Updike, Kelly & Spellacy is to encourage and support students to pursue a legal education in a field that is currently lacking participants from diverse backgrounds, and illustrate to them the various opportunities available to them if they pursue a legal degree. Giving students this kind of exposure will allow them to consider the various opportunities and careers that can be available to them throughout their educational endeavors.