LAWtina

Institution:

University of Arizona

State:

Arizona

Academic Level:

Graduate

Issue Area:

Access

Program Focus:

Career/Workforce, Mentoring

Website:

Key Personnel:

Jessica Findley

Contact Info:

jessfin@arizona.edu

Overview

The mission of the LAWtina Program is to leverage social networks & culturally-relevant programs to empower and help undergraduate Latina students at the University of Arizona pursue careers in the law. The goals of the program are that students will be able to 1) gain exposure to the law school admission process to apply/gain admission to law school, 2) build professional relationships with peers and mentors, 3) develop skills to maintain financial, physical, and mental wellness while in law school, and 4) develop and pursue their own professional goals and vision.

Program Description

LAWtina participants have access to one-on-one mentoring with female lawyers of color, job shadowing, panel discussions, admissions advising, networking opportunities, and free Kaplan LSAT/GRE preparation. Students attend several networking events throughout the year with esteemed UArizona Alumni. Mentors (who are women of color with JDs), projects, panel discussions (with Latina JD students and professors), and discussion groups with fellow Latina students also contribute to making the course culturally relevant and impactful. For the future, the program is looking to expand the curriculum to justify three units of credit instead of one. Additional subjects will include assistance with informal networking, in-class LSAT/GRE practice and review, law school skills coaching, and new intellectual content.

Outcome

92% of students in Spring 2024 demonstrated a complete understanding of the steps required to apply to law school, including LSAT scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements.
Data from the 2020 LAWtina pilot demonstrate that LAWtina participants were more likely to enroll in a LSAT/GRE prep course (61% vs 22%), sign up for the LSAT/GRE (44% vs 11%), and actively study for the exam (61% vs 50%) than Latina students not participating in the program.
Among program alumni, 25% are currently in or admitted to law school, and 62% plan to apply to law school.

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