Document Type
Article
Publication Title
UMKC Law Review
Publication Date
2024
Volume
93
First Page
1
Abstract
(Excerpt)
Legal education is transforming. The American Bar Association's accreditation standards now require law schools to provide students with substantial opportunities for the development of professional identities together with an education that results in competencies in oral and written communication. As the professional identity formation requirement changes law school curricula, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated changes in the practice of law resulting in an emphasis on remote advocacy and presentation skills. This article explains the design and implementation of an innovative co-curricular program that addresses the new educational standard and the realities of practicing law today. In the Student Scholars Program ("Program"), law students present their research and scholarship on issues of federal law while being paired with attorney and judicial mentors in a virtual format. The Program aids law schools in meeting accreditation standards and the needs of an evolving profession. This article analyzes the new accreditation standard in student development and learning outcomes, addresses how mentorship benefits students and nourishes the profession, reflects on the experiences of the Program's designers and stakeholders, and provides concrete strategies for law schools to create their own Student Scholars Program.