Here’s a closer look at one of the law schools highlighted in the article, “Top law schools for racial justice,” in the fall issue of preLaw magazine.
There’s a new wave of law student emerging to further the efforts of racial and social justice. One student is Julissa De Haro from University of California Davis School of Law. Read about her personal experience and commitment to reform in the article, “Top law schools for racial justice,” in the latest issue of preLaw magazine.
Here are the highlights of the racial justice programs and initiatives at UC Davis Law:
Racial justice speaker series
UC Davis Law’s Racial Justice Speaker Series was created in response to the tragic killings by police of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others and the widespread protests that followed.
Reaffirming the law school’s longtime commitment to racial justice, the series invites leading scholars from around the country to explore systemic racism as it pertains to all communities of color and areas of law. The goals are to inform, enlighten and engage in meaningful conversation with the King Hall community and the larger public.
Aoki Center for critical race and nation studies
Through scholarly research on the intersection of race and law, the Aoki Center provides robust programming to draw together distinguished faculty and thought leaders to advance the fields of civil rights, critical race theory and immigration issues.
King Hall Outreach Program
Established in 2001, the King Hall Outreach Program (KHOP) is a unique initiative at UC Davis Law that helps college students from underrepresented communities prepare for the law school admissions process.
In addition to providing mentoring and prelaw advising during the school year, KHOP hosts eligible college juniors and seniors at UC Davis Law for a series of weekend sessions in which students gain valuable knowledge about the law school admission process, learn writing, analytical and logical reasoning skills, develop study techniques for taking the LSAT and explore career paths available to law school graduates. Among KHOP alumni, 99% have graduated from a four-year institution; 41% are enrolled or have graduated from a law program.
Clinical legal education program
Civil Rights Clinic, Water Justice clinics, Immigration Law. The Clinical Legal Education Program at UC Davis School of Law has operated since 1971. The clinics provide legal services without charge to indigent persons, particularly client groups that have traditionally lacked significant legal representation, such as noncitizens and victims of domestic violence.
Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
UC Davis Law has a long history of dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion and has a full-time director of diversity and student life. From its majority-minority faculty to its diverse student body and curriculum, the school actively seeks a learning community where students and scholars engage in diverse areas of the law, with a variety of people and ideas different from their own.
First generation advocates
This initiative promotes diversity and maximizes the academic, professional and personal success of students who are the first from their families to earn a college or professional degree as well as students from low-income backgrounds.
Employment diversity opportunities
This includes connecting students to diversity scholarships, diversity fellowship programs and minority summer clerkships.
Introduction to incoming students about racial justice
Community Read is a program for incoming students through a racial justice lens. Speakers provide insight into implicit bias and antiracism training. “Critical Perspectives” talks expose first-year students to critical perspectives that often do not make it onto the syllabus of regular first-year classes in areas of race, immigration, gender and sexuality.
Robust student affinity organizations
King Hall supports students who participate in organizations including Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, Black Law Students Association, Filipinx Law Students Association, Latinx Law Students Association, Middle Eastern and South Asian Law Students Association and Native American Law Students Association.
MLK Day of service and celebration
Each year, the King Hall community celebrates MLK Day with a day of service and celebration. The Black Law Students Association, along with the school’s LSA student government and the MLK Day Student Working Group lead these efforts with support from administration and faculty to honor the legacy of Dr. King and highlight the circumstances of the community members who continue to experience oppressed identities.
Read the full article and learn about other students’ experiences at their law schools.
