Insights

On July 9, 2015, Day Pitney hosted a group of Springfield, MA area high school students participating in a Summer Legal Institute program put on by Just the Beginning - A Pipeline Organization (JTB). JTB serves middle school, high school, college and law students across the country through education, mentorship, and programs building the pipeline for diversity in the legal field. JTB offers educational and inspirational programming at no cost to participants as they lay the foundation for their educational and professional excellence. The Summer Legal Institute is a five day legal immersion program for students with an interest in law, public policy and government. The program's main goal is to inspire racially/ethnically, socioeconomically, and culturally diverse students to learn more about the law and to set high academic and personal goals for themselves. These programs provide an opportunity for students to visit law firms, the District Court, and corporate legal counsel's office to learn about the different ways one can practice law, and to encourage students to stay in contact with volunteer attorneys and judges as mentors. Scholars also prepare for an intensive appellate oral argument throughout the week and participate in business and professional etiquette coursework culminating in an exciting networking reception.

The students were welcomed to the firm by the Hartford office managing partner and then heard remarks from U.S. District Judge Vanessa Bryant. They then participated in breakout sessions with lawyers from the Attorney General's office, a local Legal Aid office, and the Hayber Law Firm. The afternoon culminated in an ice cream social for all participants and other Day Pitney attorneys and guests.