A group of 24 vibrant and hungry-for-knowledge student members of the Xavier Pre-Law Association took Houston by storm during the Houston Law Forum in November. During the Forum, students had the opportunity to network with representatives from various law schools in face-to-face communication. The Xavierites who participated in the Forum, accompanied by Xavier’s Pre-Law Advisor, Dr. Pamela Waldron-Moore, benefited enormously by learning the fundamentals of law school and the various programs offered. Not long after their triumphant return to campus, students had the chance to speak with four esteemed Xavier alums active in law and policy.

“For many of us, especially those who will be first-generation lawyers in their families, the Houston forum was such an unforgettable experience,” said Sabrina Pierre-Paul (senior), vice president of Xavier’s Pre-Law Society. “It gave us a chance to interact with the people who will read our applications, and it assisted us in learning what they expect from us.”

The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) provided a subsidy to attend the Forum for Historically Black College and University students interested in studying law. Dr. Waldron-Moore did not want any financial barriers for Xavier students who wanted to participate in the Law Forum, so she worked with LSAC to secure a subsidy that covered the hotel accommodations, transportation, and food for student attendees. LSAC provides financial and material support to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Hispanic American Colleges and Universities (HACU), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession, currently the least diverse profession in the country.

“Systematically, people of color have been denied proper exposure to the legal field, so for LSAC to organize such an event is groundbreaking,” shared Robert Ellis III (senior), secretary of Xavier’s Pre-Law Society. “This experience has provided nothing but clarity and direction as far as me pursuing and confidently obtaining my [Juris Doctor].”

During the Law Forum, students gained insight into both legal education and individual firsthand access to acquiring a broad base of educational/informational content about legal education through the LSAC-provided workshops and a Resource Room. The Resource Room offered insight into financial aid, the J.D. application process, the LSAT (Law School Admission Test), test prep and more.

Several Xavierites were previously able to attend the Forum that was held in Atlanta.

“The Atlanta Forum was definitely a room full of opportunity, optimism, and openness,” said Kyrren Turner (sophomore), secretary of Xavier’s Pre-Law Society. “There were many schools educating about diversity scholarships offered to students that graduated from HBCUs. As an HBCU Scholar, the experience was empowering because it showed how impactful we are to the legal profession and pushed me to continue my journey to law school.”

The extraordinary experiences for Xavier’s Pre-Law Society continued after they returned to campus with an engaging panel featuring several Xavier alums on December 1. Panelists included the Hon. Marcus DeLarge (‘06) of the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court; the CEO, Founder, and Attorney for the Durand Group LLC, Gian Durand (‘01); Adjunct Professor of Constitutional Law at Xavier and Attorney for the McKee Law Firm, Randy McKee (‘91), J.D.; and Southern University Law Center Professor of Law, Prentice White (‘91), J.D.

Louisiana has a very storied past when it comes to law and social justice. The attendance of active agents in the area’s law community offered students a paramount perspective. Dr. Waldron-Moore, who has taught many such pupils that went on to serve their communities in policy and law, emphasized that the opportunities afforded through the Pre-Law Society are for any student, regardless of major.

“[The alums] want to make [the students’] journey easier. They [the alums] want to give students more confidence built from meeting alums who were possibly in their places not long ago and who went on to excel in their career,” explained Dr. Waldron-Moore. “Some of our panelists overcame great adversity and kept moving forward. It’s a great benefit for those who hear their experiences because the message is still pertinent even if they aren’t a Political Science major.”

Many Xavierites who attended the Houston Law Forum were not political science majors but still seek careers that would pursue justice through law or policy. Dr. Waldron-Moore shared that one computer science major student dreams of creating computer algorithms to benefit the justice system and improve just outcomes.

Between the invaluable support of Dr. Waldron-Moore, wisdom offered by Xavier alums, and the Houston Law forum providing a unique opportunity for students to share their interests and ideas, Xavierites in the Pre-Law Society feel well-equipped for what lies ahead.

“Knowing that I have a support system in Dr. Moore, who accompanied me to my first-ever forum, was comforting,” said Pierre-Paul, who has: “Nothing except clarity for my future as a Black attorney in America came from this experience. Although the process will be long and challenging, I am confident that I am more than prepared!”