2017 Pre-Law Symposium

On Wednesday, March 24, 2017, the CBA-YLS presented the Pre-Law Symposium at Quinnipiac University School of Law. Event attendees consisted of 100 students from Bassick High School, Bridgeport Military Academy, Central High School, Fairchild Wheeler Multi-Magnet Campus, Harding High School, and West Haven High School. The symposium informed students on the legal profession, including the law school experience, experiences of Connecticut judges, and an overview of current legal issues.

CBA-YLS Chair Dana M. Hrelic welcomed students before introducing the first panel, "Law School Panel," which featured Kathy Kuhar, Quinnipiac University Law School associate dean of students; Karen DeMeola, CBA president-elect and UConn School of Law assistant dean for enrollment and students; and Kelvin Owusu and Jonathan Aubin, Quinnipiac University School of Law students. Panelists discussed law school admissions as well as the law school experience. They suggested that the students get to know faculty for guidance as well as the recommended courses needed for a career in law. Quinnipiac student, Jonathan Aubin, advised, "Get involved. Get involved now. If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."

 

 

Connecticut Judges Rhaeem Mullins and Antonio Robaina spoke about their experiences and career paths. Judge Mullins spoke on why he became a judge, sharing that it gives him the "opportunity to do what is right under the law. The law applies to everyone equally and as a judge you get to make sure that happens." Many students wondered what it's like to have to put your moral opinions aside in some court cases to uphold the law. To this account, Judge Robaina said, "You don't want me to be the judge of morality because it may be different from yours. As a judge, you believe and swear to uphold the law."

During the two breakout sessions, the students heard from panelists about the different career paths that led them to a career in law, teaching the students that no one path is the only path to take. Panelists included Allison Cantor, associate principal counsel of ESPN; Garlinck Dumont, Dumont Law LLC; Alfredo Fernandez, associate attorney at Shipman and Goodwin LLP; Sara Greene, State's Attorney's Office; Christine Jean-Louis, assistant attorney general; and Jonathan Weiner, permanent law clerk to Justice Richard A. Robinson.

 

 

The symposium concluded with a panel discussion on the law in today's news. CBA President Monte E. Frank and executive director of ACLU-CT, David McGuire, examined topics such as the travel ban, racial profiling, and gun violence. Attorney McGuire informed the students that he, "quickly learned that legislature in Connecticut was a quicker and more effective way to help people," while President Frank reminded them how important it is to remember that, "as citizens, we all have the right to go to meetings and have our voices heard."