The Fourth Annual National Diversity Pre-Law Conference

The Fourth Annual National Diversity Pre-Law Conference

and Law Fair 2017

Friday, October 13, 2017 to Saturday, October 14, 2017

(Optional Days: Thursday, October 12, 2017 and Sunday, October 15, 2017)

Florida International University College of Law * Miami, Florida

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday, October 12, 2017 (Optional Day)

TIME / EVENT / LOCATION
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. NOON
2:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
3:45 P.M. – 4:45 P.M. / TOURS OF MIAMI AREA LAW SCHOOLS
Free of charge! You must RSVP. Meet at FIU Law.
University of Miami School of Law (Coral Gables, Florida)
(60-minute commute to the next law school)
LUNCH AND COMMUTE
Saint Thomas University School of Law (Miami Gardens, Florida)
(25-minute commute to the next law school)
Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) / Meeting Places for each location –
University of Miami School of Law
Saint Thomas University School of Law
Shepard Broad College of Law – Nova Southeastern University
5:30PM – 7:30 PM / Networking and Dinner (Informal – On Your Own) / Miami Dolphin Mall

Friday, October 13, 2017

TIME / EVENT / LOCATION
12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. / Registration
Tour of Florida International University College of Law
Refreshments Provided / Florida International University College of Law
Lobby Area
1:00 P.M. - 2:30 PM / OPENING PLENARY SESSION
Welcoming Remarks:

Michelle Mason, Esq., Associate Dean, Florida International University College of Law (Miami, Florida)
Tawia Baidoe Ansah, Esq., M.A., Ph.D., Acting Dean and Professor of Law, Florida International University College of Law (Miami, Florida)

Keynote Speakers:

Carlos Dávila-Caballero, Esq., Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP (New York, New York)
Karen Hester, J.D., LL.M., Chief Executive Officer, Center for Legal Inclusiveness (Denver, Colorado)

Special Guest Speakers:

Alex Pena, National President, National Latina/o Law Student Association; Third-Year Law Student, Boston College Law School (Boston, Massachusetts)
Mark Dunham, National Chairperson, National Black Law Students Association; Third-Year Evening Law Student, American University Washington College of Law (Washington, DC)

/ Florida International University College of Law
2:45 PM – 3:45PM / Financing Legal Education Workshop
Presented by AccessLex Institute / Florida International University College of Law
4:00 PM – 5:15 PM / DIVERSITY AND THE LAW SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Being a Successful Diverse Law Student: Strategies for Making the Most of Law School Inside and Outside of the Classroom / Florida International University College of Law
5:15 PM – 5:30 PM / NETWORKING BREAK
Snacks Provided / Florida International University College of Law
5:30 PM – 6:45PM / DIVERSITY AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION
PANEL DISCUSSION:
The Unwritten Rules of Access and Success in the Legal Profession: What Diverse Aspiring Lawyers Really Need to Know to Set Themselves Up to Succeed / Florida International University College of Law
6:45 PM – 7:00 PM / NETWORKING BREAK
Snacks Provided
7:00 PM – 8:00PM / Cultural Competency Presentation/Workshop
Presented by Erica Edwards-O’Neal, Esq., Vice President for Inclusion and Diversity, New York City Economic Development Corporation (New York, New York) / Florida International University College of Law
8:00 PM – 8:15 PM
8:15 PM-9:15 PM / Group Photo in Front of the Law School
NETWORKING SOCIAL RECEPTION
Refreshments Provided / Florida International University College of Law

Saturday, October 14, 2017

TIME / EVENT / LOCATION
9:00AM – 1:00 PM / Registration
Complimentary Continental Breakfast Provided / Florida International University College of Law
Lobby area
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM / ***Personal Statement, Diversity Statement and Resume Review by current law students, lawyers and law school administrators is available at different periods throughout the conference day. You must sign up for an available time slot.*** / Florida International University College of Law
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM / OPENING PLENARY SESSION
Keynote Speakers:

Jean Lee, Esq., MSW, Chief Executive Officer, Minority Corporate Counsel Association (Washington, DC)

Troy Riddle, Esq., MBA, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer/Title IX Coordinator and Interim Assistant Dean for Student Life and Leadership, The John Marshall Law School (Chicago, Illinois)
Gabriel Lyse Brown, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, New York City Bar Association (New York, New York)

Special Guest Speaker:

Bill J. Simonitsch, Esq., Partner,K&L Gates LLP (Miami, Florida)

/ Florida International University College of Law
11:30AM – 11:45AM / NETWORKING BREAK
Snacks Provided
11:45AM – 1:00PM / DIVERSITY AND LAW SCHOOL ADMISSIONS
PANEL DISCUSSION:
How Law Schools Consider Diversity Factors in the Law School Admissions Processand How to Make Your Diversity Work for You / Florida International University College of Law
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM / LUNCH BREAK
Lunch Provided
1:30 PM – 3:30PM / LAW SCHOOL RECRUITMENT AND DIVERSITY RESOURCES FAIR / Florida International University College of Law
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM / NETWORKING BREAK
Snacks Provided / Florida International University College of Law
3:45PM – 4:45 PM / Personal Statement and Diversity Statement Workshop
Presented by Collins Byrd, MBA, Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management, University of Iowa College of Law (Iowa City, Iowa) / Florida International University College of Law
4:45 PM –5:00 PM / NETWORKING BREAK
Snacks Provided / Florida International University College of Law
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM / Closing Plenary Session
Keynote Speakers:

Purvi Shah, Esq., Movement Lawyer and Leader, Co-Founder, Law4BlackLives (Baltimore, Maryland)

Preston Mitchum, J.D., LL.M., Black and Queer Civil Rights Advocate, Writer and Public Speaker(Washington, DC)

Special Guest Speaker:

Denise Moreno, Esq., Executive Director, Hispanic National Bar Foundation (Miami, Florida)

Diversity Champion Awards Presentations and Speeches:

Brigida Benitez, Esq.,Partner, Steptoe & Johnson LLP (Washington, DC)
Erica Edwards-O’Neal, Esq.,Vice President for Inclusion and Diversity, New York City Economic Development Corporation (New York, New York)
Collins B. Byrd, Jr., MBA, Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management, University of Iowa College of Law (Iowa City, Iowa)

Aspiring Lawyers Pinning Ceremony / Florida International University College of Law
7:00 PM – 8:30PM / NETWORKING SOCIALRECEPTION
Refreshments Provided / Florida International University College of Law
9:00PM – / After-Conference Dinner and Networking (On Your Own) / Meet at Dolphin Mall

Sunday, October 15, 2017 (Optional Day)

TIME / EVENT / LOCATION
8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - / TOUR OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
Big Bus Tour (Exact Route TBD)
Premium Ticket Cost $58.50

Group Viewing of the Film “Marshall”. Please RSVP. Tickets will be sponsored for a limited number of registrants. / Meeting Place -
TBD
TBD