The George Washington University Black Law Alumni Association ("BLAA") was established in 1988. Its mission is to support the Law School's efforts in recruiting minority students and faculty, and promote diversity within the Law School. The BLAA sponsors alumni and student networking opportunities for minorities, and provides year-long academic and mentoring support for the GW chapter of the Black Law Student Association. The BLAA encourages graduating students to become active members of the GW alumni community in order to maintain active participation and support for GW Law, and to voice the BLAA's views on policies affecting the Law School.
Academic Achievement Programs
The mandate of the George Washington University Black Law Alumni Association ("BLAA") includes providing support to members of the Black Law Student Association ("BLSA") in order to help them achieve better academic success during their law school experience. BLAA believes the academic success of students translates into better and a wider variety of opportunities for graduates of the law school. The following is a list of the academic achievement programs created and coordinated by the BLAA:
Orientation
Since 1988, the BLAA has conducted an orientation program specially designed for entering African American first year law students. The program is an intensive study skills training program that is held on the Saturday and Sunday before the first week of school from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Law School provides continental breakfast and lunch.
The orientation program is generally the students' first contact with the law school environment. The program provides useful tips and gives students a unique opportunity to begin fostering relationships with alumni that continue throughout the students' law school and professional careers. The BLAA forwards invitations to the orientation program to newly admitted students who have provided notice to GW Law of their intention to matriculate. Members of the BLAA also make telephone calls to all admitted students to encourage them to attend the orientation. This initial phone call also gives alumni an opportunity to answer any questions incoming students may have about GW Law or life in the metropolitan Washington, DC area.
Some of the topics covered during the orientation include matters such as 1) how to read and brief a case, 2) ethical considerations, 3) how to effectively use study groups, 4) introduction to legal writing, 5) introduction to first year courses, and 6) explanations of what law professors generally expect. At the end of the program the officers of BLSA talk to the first year students about student life at the Law School. GW Law professors and members of the BLAA, including law firm partners, judges, in-house counsel, corporate executives and law firm senior associates serve as presenters during the program.
Every year students and alumni are invited to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Monica Monroe via e-mail at: mmonroe@law.gwu.edu.
Mid-Semester Review Session
During the first semester of law school, first year law students often discover that the rigors of law school are much more demanding than that of undergraduate school. With that in mind, in 2001, the BLAA initiated a four-hour mid-semester review session that was geared to help reduce the anxiety created by the first few months of law school study. During the review session, students are encouraged to engage in analytical dialogue about fact patterns and their application to the various laws covered during the first semester of law school. It is the goal of the review session to assist students in gauging how they can improve their studying techniques to better prepare for the end of semester before the exam reading period.
1L Exam Writing Session
On the first Saturday of November each year, 1L BLSA students are invited to participate in a mock exam writing session. Without preparing, students who attend the session are given a one-hour exam under strict exam writing conditions. After the hour-long exam, students are invited to enjoy a continental breakfast provided by the Law School, and to review a model "A" answer to the exam question. Students are then broken up into smaller groups, during which time volunteer alumni and other experienced practitioners review, one-on-one, each student's exam answers. Students receive advice on organization, how to spot issues and how to properly apply facts to law. The BLAA's goal is to help students better prepare for the exams for their first year, thus improving each participant's chances for future academic success.
Alumni-Student Mentoring Program
The mandate of the George Washington University Black Law Alumni Association ("BLAA") includes providing support to members of the Black Law Student Association ("BLSA") in order to help them achieve better academic success during their law school experience. BLAA believes the academic success of students translates into better and a wider variety of opportunities for graduates of the law school. The following is a list of the academic achievement programs created and coordinated by the BLAA:
BLAA's Alumni-Student Mentoring Program provides an opportunity for BLSA students in their final year and alumni to connect in positive one-on-one mentoring relationships. Through the program, alumni can enhance the quality of the students experience for those who come after them by interacting, exchanging ideas, and sharing their experiences and knowledge regarding life as a Black attorney. Alumni mentors give back to their alma mater by serving as role models and leaders as they help today's generation of students reach their goals.
Program Overview
The BLAA recognizes that 3L and 4L evening students are approaching the end of their academic careers and are beginning their journey as practicing lawyers. For many students, they will be the first generation of attorneys in their family. The BLAA is over 500 members strong, and it is in a unique position to be able to guide and influence our new generation of rising stars. Our belief is that a close and continuous connection with an alumnus/a will help ease the transition from learning law to practicing law. Mentors will be asked to serve for one-year, although we anticipate that the relationship will continue well into the career of the students with whom they are matched.
Mentors
A mentor is a guide. A friend. A resource who:
- successfully navigated GW Law's ins and outs; rose to the challenges and reaped the promises of graduating from a top-tier national law school;
- used the GW Law education and experience to further pave the way to success; and,
- derives pleasure from helping others succeed.
Alumni mentors have an opportunity to put their own vision, energy and creativity to work, making an important difference in a GW Law student's life. They want to maintain ties to their alma mater. They enjoy the personal satisfaction of contributing to a student's growth and success. They also enjoy the stimulation and challenge of relating to today's GW Law students. Your role as an alumni mentor is to inspire, encourage, and nurture your student, and to contribute to their professional and personal development.