Just The Beginning Foundation and Perkins Coie LLP host 65 diverse Chicago high school students as part of the 4th Annual Summer Legal Institute

Just the Beginning Foundation (JTBF) and Perkins Coie hosted sixty-five Chicago high school students participating in JTBF’s Summer Legal Institute on August 5th, 2009 for a business etiquette exercise and reception attended by Judge Ann C. Williams and many other attorneys.

The business etiquette exercise was taught by Theresa Cropper, Chief Diversity Officer of Perkins Coie, and consists of lessons on improving networking and social skills, utilizing mentors, and managing your reputation.  A reception hosted by Perkins Coie followed and gave the students an opportunity to meet area judges and attorneys and practice what they had just learned.

Judge Ann C. Williams (7th Circuit) and Chris Wilson, managing partner of Perkins Coie’s Chicago Office, gave inspirational remarks to the students about working hard and obtaining their goal of being attorneys.

The 4th annual Summer Legal Institute is a ten-day program immersing high school students from all over the city in the legal profession.  The program features substantive classroom lectures, a business etiquette lesson and networking opportunities, logic and critical-thinking exercises, a day long visit to federal court, numerous field trips to area law firms and corporate law departments, and participation in two mock trials and a moot court competition.

The sponsors of this program are Schiff Hardin LLP, Perkins Coie LLP, Wal-Mart Stores Inc, DePaul College of Law, Exelon Corporation, Jenner & Block LLP, Brinks Hofer, Gilson, & Lione LLP, Arnstein & Lehr LLP, Wildman Harrold LLP, Lake Forest College, Abbott Labs, the Council on Legal Educational Opportunities (CLEO), LegalTrek, and Griffith Tutoring.

Just The Beginning Foundation is a multi-racial, non-profit organization composed of lawyers, judges, and other citizens. It is dedicated to developing and nurturing interest in the law among young people from racial and other groups under-represented in the legal profession and supporting their continued advancement. JTBF’s long-term goal is to increase diversity in the legal profession and on the bench.