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law.arizona.edu | Link                                                                                  June 4, 2014

Greetings,

 

This week, we discuss the impact of the February Bar Program, introduce newly-minted alum Lindsay Schroeder, who earned the highest score on the Arizona bar exam in February, and provide a quick report on visits with alumni and admits (future alumni!) in the Golden State!

 

Until the footnotes,

 

Marc

 

February Bar Exam

 

In 2012 Arizona Law spearheaded a proposal, with the state's other law schools (yes, there are other law schools), to allow qualified 3L students to sit for the February bar exam. The Arizona Supreme Court authorized a two-year pilot project for February 2014 and February 2015. Based upon the results of the pilot, we are hopeful that the Court will make the February Bar program permanent. (At present, we do not have complete results, but we know that our students collectively exceeded the first-time taker pass rate by more than 10%.)


Each law school had latitude in designing a program that best met its students' needs. Of 36 third-year students statewide who opted to take the test, 24 were from Arizona Law. 

 

Under the leadership of Professor Rob Williams and other faculty and staff, and with input from the bench and bar, we designed a curriculum to enhance success. In January and February, students took a special 2-unit course that offered in-depth assessments of their individual performance. Faculty worked with students to overcome problems in those areas, as well as to prepare them more generally --  not only for the bar exam, but for professional life after law school. 

 

Students also took a commercial bar review course of their choice. Following the exam, students returned to a special set of "Feb bar" classes (open to all 3L and, where space allowed, 2L students) focused on experiential learning. Each of these classes was designed to have students apply the full range of skills and knowledge they acquired during law school.

 

Each student had their own reasons for participating in the February examination. Some are moving straight towards practice, some are starting their clerkships early, some are sitting for a second state examination in a non-uniform bar exam state (such as California, Texas, Illinois and New York), and others wanted the summer months to pursue their personal passions. 

 

We are proud of all of our students who took the February Bar.  These pioneering students remind us all to be bold. 

 

Arizona's "early bar" project is the first of its kind in the country and continues to attract national attention. We're proud to be leaders in the national dialogue about reforming the final year of law school. See The National Law Journal's coverage here, or read a more detailed account of the project in The Bar Examiner

 

 

Alumni
Lindsay Schroeder ('14)

  

Two people each year-- one in May, and one in October-- can say they aced the bar exam. This year, one of them is recent graduate and February Bar examinee Lindsay Schroeder-- an honor she will carry throughout her career. The Arizona Supreme Court ranks the top three scores from each examination, and Lindsey placed first among 397 applicants.

Lindsay with fiance Matthew

 

When asked why she decided to take the exam in February, she says:

 

"Initially, I loved the possibility of becoming a licensed attorney almost immediately after graduating and avoiding an additional two months of studying post-graduation.  As the decision time approached, though, I realized that having an open summer would give me time to establish my involvement with some community organizations before beginning work."

 

Lindsay will start as an associate at Bryan Cave beginning in the fall, but this summer she is fueling her passion for community involvement. She plans to work with the Volunteer Lawyers Program of Phoenix (VLP) and a Phoenix legal aid organization. She will also serve as a mentor to rising high school seniors as they assemble their college applications.

 

During law School Lindsay devoted her time, energy, and skills in support of others. She was an Arizona Law Delegate, participated in VLP's Service Center and Guardianship clinics, served as a mentor for the Latino Law Student Association, worked in the college's Veterans Advocacy Clinic, and wrote for the Arizona Law Review.  

 

Lindsay came to Arizona Law for many reasons -- including the size of classes, reasonable cost, and the welcoming environment. Most importantly, she notes, "I trusted that Arizona Law would provide me with top-quality educational experiences, both in the classroom and in hands-on settings."

 

Originally from Batavia, NY (near Buffalo -- where her family still resides) Lindsay came to the University of the Arizona in 2005, earning a BA in Philosophy, an MA in Higher Education and now a JD  She enjoys spending her free time with her fiancé, Matthew Hesketh ('11), and convincing her family to become snowbirds!

 

I had the privilege of awarding Lindsay with the "Dean's Bar Ace Award" during the graduation ceremonies. Her hard work and determination are a model for us all. 

 

Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn 

 

 

Lindsay with her parents at the Awards Ceremony
to receive the Dean's Ace Award

 

 

 
Arizona Law in Southern California

 

Last week I spent a day visiting alumni in San Diego, and two days with alums and future alumni (some of our great admitted students who plan to attend this coming fall) in Los Angeles. 

 

More students come from California than any other state, outside of Arizona, and it is the largest out-of-state employment destination for our graduates. 

  

Spending time with alumni allows us to connect with old friends, make new ones, learn about changes in their lives and in their practice areas, and share information about all of the developments in legal education, and our leadership at Arizona Law.

 

Special thanks to Randy Lopez ('07) of  The Law Offices of Borton Petrini LLP, and Andrew Pappas ('09) of  Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, in Los Angeles for their assistance in organizing these LA events, and to Cheryl Dunn Soto ('93) for the event she hosted earlier this spring in San Diego, and for her continuing interest in deepening the Arizona-San Diego connection.

 

Throughout the summer we will be traveling the country, connecting with Arizona Law alumni and friends of the college. If you are interested in helping to organize law alumni in your area, connecting to the larger University of Arizona alumni efforts in your city, hosting an event (large or small) in your area, reaching out to admits or those thinking about the College of Law, or counseling current students interested in working in your area, please let us know by emailing our Alumni Coordinator, Marissa White.

 

And keep an eye on upcoming events in the footnotes, below.  I hope you will join us whenever we are near you. 

 

 

Footnotes

Coming soon!

 

Arizona Bar Convention and Dean's Reception

(all alumni and friends welcome) 

 

Friday, June 13th

6:00 - 8:00pm

Home of Dean Marc Miller & Professor Christina Cutshaw

3040 E Ina Road

Tucson, AZ  85718 

 

RSVP here. 

 

 * * *

Arizona Law Week in DC

 

Global Programs Luncheon

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

University of Arizona DC Office

2111 Wilson Blvd, 7th Floor

Arlington, VA  22201

RSVP here. 

 

Meet the Dean Reception

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

6:00pm - 7:30 pm 

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP 

2300 N Street NW

Washington, DC  20037

RSVP here. 

 

Arizona Law Admissions Luncheon

Thursday, June 26, 2014

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Greene Turtle Restaurant

601 F Street NW

Washington, DC  20004

RSVP here. 

 

Arizona Law Alumni and Friends Reception

Thursday, June 26, 2014

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Front Page Restaurant 

1333 New Hampshire Ave NW 

Washington, DC 20036

RSVP here. 


Alumni Breakfast

Friday, June 27, 2014

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Morgan Meguire 

1225 Eye Street NW, Suite 1150 

Washington, D.C. 20005  

RSVP here. 

 

 

* * *

 

SAVE THE DATE - PLAN AHEAD - Centennial Homecoming Weekend

November 7-9, 2014 

For more information, CLICK HERE to visit our Homecoming 2014 website.

 

* * *

 

  

We are gearing up for the Arizona Bar Convention at the beautiful Westin La Paloma in Tucson next week.  If you are there please say hello.

 

I will be participating in a panel discussion on the changing legal profession, including challenges for small firm lawyers and College of Law responses on Wednesday morning.  My wife and I are hosting an alumni reception on Friday evening.  If you are in Tucson, I hope you will join us.  All alumni are welcome.

 

Warmly,

   

 

Marc Signature      






Marc L. Miller 
Dean & Ralph W. Bilby Professor of Law 
James E. Rogers College of Law    



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