High School Pipeline Initiative – Summer Law Internship Program

Mission:

“To enhance the diversity of the legal profession by developing and fostering a pathway for diverse high-school students that encourages an interest in the law, promotes the development of critical thinking and writing skills, and fosters values necessary to succeed academically and professionally.”

The Pipeline Initiative creates a structured skill-development pathway for diverse high school students through the creation of high-school moot-court programs, a Summer Writing Program, and a Summer Law Internship Program. Students develop critical thinking skills through legal exercises and participate in two moot-court competitions annually. 

Help the brilliant legal minds of tomorrow flourish today!

During the 2018-19 academic year, the High School Pipeline Initiative provided vital learning and analytical skills development to more than 100 students from historically under-represented groups at eight Metro-Phoenix high schools. This summer, twenty carefully selected and highly gifted students have been chosen to participate in the Summer Writing Program and the Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP), which will build upon their burgeoning skills. These high school interns receive a much-needed stipend for their hard work throughout the internship, and our ability to provide students with this incredible learning opportunity hinges on the generosity of people like you.   

Life-Changing Experiences

This year, the Pipeline Initiative allowed nine students to travel to Washington D.C. and participate in a national moot court competition.  Two of those students reached the semi-finals and one earned First-Runner Up honors. The philanthropic spirit of our community made possible the incredible experiences these students had. Please help us give diverse students more of these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

PROGRAMMING

High School Inns of Court (Academic Year)

The High School Inns of Court (HIC) program is designed to improve the writing and critical thinking skills of diverse students who have an interest in pursuing a career in law. An HIC chapter is made up of high-school students, law students, and attorneys. HIC participants meet four times a month, 60 minutes per meeting, throughout the academic year. At each meeting, students learn critical thinking, participate in legal analysis exercises, and prepare for moot-court competitions.

HIC chapters participate in the Sandra O’Connor College of Law Law Conference, High School Moot Court Competition (hosted by ASU in the spring), and the Marshall-Brennan Project High School Moot Court Competition.  The Marshall-Brennan competition includes a regional round hosted by ASU in November, and the national finals hosted in Washington D.C. in April.

Summer Writing Program

This writing seminar is a two-week program that reinforces and builds skills such as grammar, writing, reading comprehension, and critical thinking through legal writing exercises and oral presentations.

Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP)

SLIP directly follows the Summer Writing Program. All participants in SLIP will receive a paid internship at a corporation, local law firm, or government agency to encourage their interest in higher education and the practice of law.