At the beginning of 2019, LexisNexis Legal & Professional, a global provider of legal research and workflow solutions, launched the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation.
GW Law alumna Teresa Jennings, JD '88, serves as Vice President & Treasurer of the foundation. She is responsible for cultivating relationships with diverse groups, including funding and governmental bodies, to create, develop, and advance Rule of Law projects around the world.
"Many people are familiar with LexisNexis Legal & Professional, and law students are no stranger to our powerful information and analytics solutions," Ms. Jennings said, "but most don't know that LexisNexis has a purpose and mission to advance the rule of law around the world. That mission underlies all that we do."
LexisNexis defines the rule of law as equal treatment under the law, transparency of the law, access to legal remedy, and the independent judiciaries for everyone in the global community. The foundation, Ms. Jennings said, is just the next step in that commitment.
"The non-profit entity is a means to work on projects in partnerships with government, civil society, the legal community, academia, and business to support and enhance one or more of the elements of the rule of law," she said.
The Rule of Law Foundation seeks to empower individuals within the legal community to be strong agents of positive change. Ms. Jennings said the foundation will work on projects that promote and preserve legal communities, large and small, across the globe.
"Data shows that when the rule of law is strong, certain other socio-economic indicators are also strong. We will be working on projects which show that the actions of individuals within the legal community can counter the lack of trust and confidence in a legal system," Ms. Jennings said. "Our efforts will highlight that one important way to achieve lasting change is by turning to the next generation and engaging the new entrants into the legal system."
Prior to joining the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation, Ms. Jennings said GW Law exposed her to a career in legislative advocacy she hadn't previously considered.
"One lesson I learned is that there is no one specific legal career. Every person's legal journey is unique just as every person is unique," Ms. Jennings said. "Legislative advocacy wasn't a typical legal career. Nevertheless, that start fit my core skills and my interests, and it became the first step on my journey to a very vibrant and satisfying career."
Now as she empowers the next generation within the legal community with LexisNexis, Ms. Jennings encourages law students to "create a lasting change in the world."
"Find out what change is supposed to be for you, and don't be afraid to roll up your sleeves and do it," she said.
For more information about the Rule of Law Foundation visit their website at lexisnexisrolfoundation.org.