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Youth Law Day

The New York State Bar Association's Special Committee on Youth Outreach, assembled and field-tested a meaningful and reproducible template for exposing young minority students to the great potential of a law-related career. Under the strong direction of Chair Kenneth G. Standard, former NYSBA president, two successful Youth Law Day events were held.

The Youth Outreach Committee’s first ever Youth Law Day, in the fall of 2006, showed that bringing students together for a day to explore the legal profession, was indeed a strong model. After refining that pilot event at Fordham Law School, the second Youth Law Day, held in April 2008 at Albany Law School, proved that the agenda and format could be reproduced with the same successful outcomes.

The scale and expense is minimal, making this a realistic endeavor for Bar Associations, law firms, after-school groups and law schools. All that is needed is a core group of dedicated individuals. We have put together timelines, sample documentation, budgets, etc., so that you can start planning right away. All you need is a cooperating law school and or law firm, and a date that fits into the local school calendar.

Governor Paterson commends the NYSBA Committee on Minorities Youth Law Days. Click the links below to see the video of his remarks:

Broadband: http://204.8.127.102/media/Gov_Patterson_256k.wmv

Dial-up: http://204.8.127.102/media/Gov_Patterson_56k.wmv

CLICK HERE for information on the most recent Youth Law Day held at Hofstra Law School, March 6, 2009

CLICK HERE for information on the most recent Youth Law Day held at Touro Law School, March 26, 2009

Albany Law School Professor Paul Finkelman conducts a Mock College Class

Youth Law Day Resources

Event Timeline A planning timeline from 9 months prior to day of to post-event follow-up

Event Checklist What to assemble for student registration, teacher packets, speaker and presenter needs

Draft Agenda Timed agenda for planning purposes

Sample Budget Items to consider as expenses

Sample email invitation   PDF       RTF Invitation to a teacher to participate

School Promotional Flyer Can be sent to schools and used by teachers to request permission from administrators

Choose Law Brochure ABA's Choose Law Project

Law School Outreach Letter Letter seeking participation and/or donation of giveaways and materials

Sample Program Cover Cover used by NYSBA

Evaluations Summary Sample  Results compiled from recent event Blank Template

NYSBA's Youth Service Advocate Program The Youth Service Advocate designation is reserved for exceptional youth who have devoted a certain number of hours to law-related volunteer service in a given year. Let students, who are passionate about serving their community and making it a better place to live and work, know about this program.  Recognize commitment to volunteer service by applying to be a Youth Service Advocate.

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