New summer institute immerses high school students in law

From participating in a mock trial to touring the state capitol to visiting the New London neighborhood that spawned a now famous Supreme Court case, a group of Hartford high school students will spend part of their summer immersed in the law.

Students from the UConn School of Law have partnered with the Hartford law firm of Robinson & Cole LLP and Hartford public schools to hold a four-week summer law institute through August 7 for more than 20 students from the capital city.

Students involved in the program will be entering the newly formed Law and Government Academy at Hartford Public High School in the fall.

Conceived by members of UConn’s Black Law Student Association, the program aims to encourage the pursuit of higher education and cultivate an interest in the law among participants.

Under the guidance of Jennifer Mailly, an assistant clinical professor of law, 12 Robinson & Cole LLP Law and Government Community Teaching Fellows from the law school will work alongside teachers from Hartford.

They will introduce students to the study of the law, provide exposure to the legal system, and promote interaction with local practitioners.

“It is a core aspect of our mission to serve the people of our community and our state,” says Jeremy Paul, dean of the Law School.

“The structure of this program will enable our fellows to work directly with students in the classroom, teaching them about the law and illustrating for them the value of higher education. We’re proud to work with the Hartford public schools and Robinson & Cole on this exciting new summer institute.”

Jackie Scheib, a 1996 graduate of the law school who is now a partner at Robinson & Cole, says, “The program fits perfectly with several of our firm’s key goals. Through the institute we are supporting increased diversity in the legal community and improvement in the lives of Hartford youths, which positively impacts Hartford. Plus, we have the opportunity to give back to UConn – a school where many of our staff and attorneys received their education.”