Enrollment Surge

After World War II, law school enrollments exploded, reaching their all-time high of more than 147,000 students in 2010.  But widespread disillusionment due to the inability to secure good employment, questionable exaggerated law school claims and a subsequent flurry of lawsuits (among other reasons) chilled the boom. Enrollments have fallen since 2010.

Hispanics

Although Hispanics are applying to law school less frequently than in 2010, more Hispanics are being accepted. 

In truth, the law profession is overcrowded; there are less opportunities. But niches exist. One being the need for Hispanic lawyers. They are needed in such arenas as wage disputes, housing discrimination, employment and voting rights, immigration law, education, and social and medical services.  Further, as entrepreneurial and business needs continue to grow in Hispanic communities, knowledgeable lawyers are needed.

Only about 4 percent of lawyers are Hispanic, and Latinas represent less than 1.3 percent of lawyers.

Initially, women were not allowed in most law schools. In 1870, Ada Kepley was the first woman on record to earn a law degree from Union College of Law in Illinois. But the courts refused to admit women as lawyers! Ultimately, the federal courts did in 1878.

Several colleges were founded that accepted women. But the elite law schools remained closed to women. Harvard was finally forced to consider the idea of admitting women in 1899. But did not admit any until 1950!

Fifty years ago, less than 8 percent of law students were female. Today, more than 50 percent are female.

Becoming A Lawyer

As is true of most professions it is best that the training, the motivation begins early—as early as elementary school. First, is the encouragement from parents, then the local legal community and appropriate school programs.

I know that is almost an impossibility for many. Many Hispanic parents work for low wages, have limited education themselves and fear the very long path their children must undertake to become lawyers. Good reasons to be discouraged—but not to give up.

Yes, good grades are necessary in high school and college. Although no college major is excluded or recommended, most lawyers major in history, political science or English. Many are lucky, or smart enough, to meet lawyers and even work in their offices while in high school or college. If you know five or six lawyers, your chances of being accepted to law school improves. Local law associations invariably help youngsters go to law school as well.

Financial Aid: Computer Searches

I searched “Financial aid for Hispanics Law school study.” Scores of results appeared, including the following:

• Grants are Available to Worthy Law School Students http://www.collegescholarships.org/grants/law.htm

• Scholarships for Mexican-American/Hispanic/Latino Students - Berkeley Law School https://www.law.berkeley.edu/admissions/jd/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/outside-agency-scholarships/scholarships-for-mexican-americanhispaniclatino-students/

• Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/diversity/diversity_pipeline/projects_initiatives/legal_opportunity_scholarship/

• Diversity Scholarship Opportunities|Discoverlaw.org

https://www.discoverlaw.org/diversity/scholarships.asp

These four sites contain a multitude of useful information. The third citation is from The American Bar Association (ABA), and it highlights its Legal Opportunity Scholarships for first-year law students. The ABA is the premier lawyer association in America. It encourages minority students to study law, facilitates financial assistance and provides professional opportunities.  Law students should study the ABA website (www.americanbar.org).  It has numerous suggestions and programs to help students.

Secondly, students should write to every law school that interests them; they all offer financial aid.

HNBA: The Best Resource For Hispanics

A number of organizations focus on helping Hispanic students interested in studying law. In my opinion, none is superior to the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA). If a student is in high school or college and is considering law, this organization can help. I recommend contacting them at https://hnba.com and signing up for their mailings, as well as reviewing their offerings and participating in their programs, which include:

• Su Futuro—HNBA’s respected Su Futuro program provides “early-intervention and educational programs” for middle school and high school Hispanics to encourage them to pursue higher education. Later, mentoring programs assist students during their college and law school years. In short, Su Futuro addresses every level from Pre-K to law school. Their Networking and Mentorship Programs matches HNBA lawyer members and affiliate bar organizations with Hispanic law students at law schools nationwide.      

• Law School Sin Límites—Law School Sin Límites (LSSL) prepares Hispanic students for law school and assists them with launching their careers. LSSL “encourages low-income students, students of color, and first-generation college students to apply.” The students selected, categorized as Fellows, are matched with Mentors who guide them through college and help them enter the law school of their choice. LSSL demystifies the law school application process, provides access to the legal profession and sponsors skill-building workshops to prepare Fellows for success in college, in law school and in their careers.

• High School Youth Symposium—During the Annual HNBA Convention, a youth symposium introduces high school students to Latino attorneys, judges, law professors and others for a day of discussions and activities to inspire students to become community leaders and to choose law as their career. The program reaches hundreds of high school students nationwide.

• Lef High School Summer Legal Education Action Program—In the summer, the Lef High School Legal Education Action Program (LEAP) provides high school students opportunities to attend law school classes and lectures; participate in mock trial competitions; and engage in networking opportunities with lawyers, judges, law professors and business leaders.  Students enhance their understanding of law, as well as learn about other careers they can pursue with a law degree.

Bottom Line

HNBA provides numerous and ever-changing opportunities. Recent initiatives have included specific programs for women and for those interested in intellectual property law.

I can’t over emphasize: Contact HNBA! They are Hispanic student friendly.  •