nbplc 2013 sponsorship information booklet

7/29/2019 NBPLC 2013 Sponsorship Information Booklet

1/16

Admissis & Preparati Cferecead Law Schl Recritmet Fair 2013

Spsrship Ifrmati Blet

The nations premier information-sharing and networking empowerment event for aspiring Black lawyers

www.blackprelawconerence.com

The Westin Houston,Memorial City

Houston, TexasFriday, November 15, 2013

and

Saturday, November 16, 20

Pre-LAWBLACk

The9th AnnuAL nATIonAL


2/16

Cferece ad Law FairPre-LAWnATIonAL

2 P.O. Box 631234 Houston, Texas 77263 Phone/Fax: 281-247-4026 [email protected] www.blackprelawconference.com

Q u I C k F A C T SDURING THE PAST EIGHT (8) YEARS, THE CONFERENCEHAS:

Registered over 2,200 pre-law students representing 36 states, 1U.S. territory (U.S. Virgin Islands), 1 oreign country (Canada)

Registrants have represented over 284 colleges and universities

Attracted 180 ABA-approved law schools, the majority o U.S. lawschools (There are 202 ABA-approved law schools.)

Hosted over 215 mock law school classes, clinics, workshops, panels,and other sessions

Featured 32 keynote speakers, 35 special guest speakers, and 359community leaders, law students, lawyers, law school administra-

tors, and judges who have served as eatured panelists, moderators,and workshop presenters.

Earned the support o over 59 local, state and national elected o-cials, and key leaders o infuential bar associations


3/16

3P.O. Box 631234 Houston, Texas 77263 Phone/Fax: 281-247-4026 [email protected] www.blackprelawconference.com

Cnference and LawPre-LAWBLACk

TheNATioNAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Mission Statement .................................................3

About The National Black Pre-Law Conerence .........4

The Necessity o the Conerence ..............................5

Accolades or the Conerence ..................................6

The Story Behind the Conerence ............................7

About the Founder .................................................8

Registrant Demographic Inormation ......................9

Why Sponsor? ......................................................10

Past Sponsors ......................................................11

Past Media Partners .............................................12

Past Community/Organizational Partners ..............12

Testimonials ........................................................13

Schedule At-A-Glance ...........................................16

Sponsorship Levels and Benets ...........................18

Sponsorship Commitment Form ............................21

Missi Statemet

The Mission of The National Black Pre-Law Confer-

ence and Law Fair is to provide a comprehensive

national event, free to registrants, designed spe-

cically for aspiring Black lawyers for the purpose

of providing them with access to empowering in-

formation, resources, and contacts that will assist them

in becoming more strategic and competitive college stu-

dents, law school applicants and law students. It also en-

ables participants the opportunity to speak face-to-facewith law school representatives sincerely interested in

reaching out to prospective Black applicants.

The bottom line: We genuinely want to help them prior

to beginning their law school careers so they can have

the insider information and encouragement they need

to help them to better understand what it takes to be

successful in their quest to become lawyers.

6

8

12

11

13

21


4/16


Cnference and Law FarPre-LAWNATioNAL

Abt The natialBlac Pre-Law Cferece

The National Black Pre-Law Conerence and Law Fairofers the ollowing opportunities to participants:

Keynote and special guest speakers

Numerous workshops and panel discussions cov-

ering everything someone considering law school

would need to know, including: law school admis-

sion, personal statements and diversity statements,nancial aid and the impact of student loan debt,

law school selection, the law school value proposi-

tion, law school preparation, the law school experi-

ence, academic support programs, non-traditionalcareer options, career choice, creating ones own

opportunities, the legal job search, diversity issues,

the bar exam, life as a lawyer, and career advance-ment

Power sessions on networking, relationship build-

ing and mentorship, character and reputation, and

professional business image and etiquette

Special forums/town hall meetings

Introduction to the Socratic method and case

method

Mock law school classes

Law School Recruitment Fair

Networking/Making Connections socials

LSAT preparation and test-taking strategies ses-sions

Diagnostic LSAT administrations

Law School Admissions & Preparation Help AdviceClinic

Personal Statement, Diversity Statement, Resume,

and Addendum Practical Assistance Sessions

Certicate of Participation

Aspiring Lawyers Pinning Ceremony

Access to potential mentors, accountability part-

ners and role models


5/16



TheNATioNAL

The necessity f the CfereceWhy is a conerence specifcally or Arican American/Black law school aspirants so greatly needed?

We strongly believe that with good, credible inormation and the ability to network and make

connections with knowledgeable law students, law school administrators, and attorneys that

conerence attendees dont have to be a part o the negative statistics. With the right inormation

and mentors, they can do well in undergrad and on the LSAT, get into law school, get through law

school, pass the bar, and become lawyers.

According to a recent study that analyzed Law

School Admission Council (LSAC) admission statis-

tics from 2003 until 2008 conducted by Columbia

Law School professor Conrad Johnson, 61% ( a solid

majority) of African American/Black law school ap-

plicants are not getting admitted into ANY of thelaw schools that they are applying to.

Despite the rise in the number of available seats

in American law schools, which is up almost 4,000

seats in the last fteen years, African American/

Black law school enrollment has actually fallen.

According to 2009-2010 LSAC statistics, African

Americans/Blacks are doing less well in terms of the

numbers for gaining entry into law school than all

other ethnic groups, with the exception of Puerto

Ricans.

From fall 2006 to fall 2009, African Americans/

Blacks made up only 6.4% of minority enrollment in

predominantly White law schools. African Americans/Blacks make up approximately

7% of all law students.

African American/Black representation among Un-

tied States lawyers is only 4%.

African Americans/Blacks make up almost 13% of

the U.S. population.


6/16



Congressional Recognition

Sheila Jackson Lee

U.S. House o Representatives

18th Congressional District

The Houston Lawyers

Association and the Houston

Lawyers Foundations

Roberson L. King Excellence in

Education Award

National Bar Association

and IMPACTs Nations Best

Advocates:

40 Lawyers Under 40

ACCOLADES FORTHE CONFERENCE

Leadership

Empowerment Award

Law/Government

National Black MBA Association

Houston Chapter

d-mars.com Business Journals

Top 50 Black Attorneys

(of Houston)

Trail Blazer Award

Sadie T.M. Alexander Honoree

National Black Law Students

Association

* P h o t o

t a k e n a t T h e S a d i e T M

A l e x a n d e r A w a r d s L u n c h e o n a t T h e

Everett Bellamy (let), Evangeline Mitchell, Donald Temple (Charles Hamilton Houston Law School Prep Institute),Chibundu Nnake (NBLSA Chair 2011-2012) (right)


7/16

The Stry Behid the CfereceWhy was the National Black Pre-Law Conerence created?

When Evangeline was a college student, she knew that she wanted to go to law school. Although she was

clear about her goal, she didnt receive any true pre-law advisement, had very little inormation on therealities o what law school would be like, had ew chances to meet any real-lie lawyers, and did not have

any mentors to assist her. She was let to navigate the daunting law school admissions process alone.

As she looks back on those

years, she recalls having

a great desire to attend

law school and assumed that

she was doing everything right(working hard in all of her class-

es and making straight As), but

at the same time, feeling lost.

She recognizes that although

she was on the right track, because she didnt have the

correct knowledge or mentorship, she wasnt doing all

that she could have to make herself a truly well-pre-

pared, and more competitive, standout applicant.

She is adamant that ability and drive were not the is-

sue, but simply not knowing any better. She is pas-

sionate about the fact that she could have greatly ben-

etted from real assistance. She knew there was infor-

mation she was missing, but didnt know where to nd

it, and the few lawyers she encountered stated that law

school was tough, but were unwilling to provide the

necessary mentorship to help ll in the missing pieces.

Although I was a serious straight A student, always

studying and focused on the future, no one really ex-

plained to me that I had to have a strategy and a writ-

ten success action plan to eectively compete and that

I would be competing on a national level with lots ofother straight A students with the same goals I had.

I could have been in a better position to be a much

more sophisticated and ultra-competitive candidate

had I had good information, mentoring, and the op-

portunity to network with law students and lawyers

who cared about my success. You can be bright and

a hard worker, but without the right information and

mentors, you are at a tremendous disadvantage, she

adds.

As a college undergrad, she

made a promise to herself that

once she graduated from law

school and became a lawyer,

she would never forget what itfelt like to be the rst in her fam-

ily to pursue a law degree. She

vowed to remain committed to

doing everything in her power

to help others in her situation. Through creating the

conference, she kept that promise.

There was nothing like the National Black Pre-Law Con-

ference when Evangeline was in college or law school

- nothing that addressed the issues that she and other

African Americans faced. She knew it was time for a

change. She had tried other avenues on her own to

address the issue - writing and publishing books, es-

tablishing a national Black pre-law organization, cre-

ating an informational website, and an e-mentorship

program - which were all helpful in their own way. But

nothing could replace the dynamics of an event and

in-person connections - networking and opportunities

for mentorship - with so many dierent law students,

administrators, professors, and lawyers on a national

level.

Now, hundreds of future Black lawyers, law school rep-resentatives, law students, and lawyers from all over

the country converge in Houston to participate in the

countrys largest and most comprehensive pre-law

conference The National Black Pre-Law Admissions &

Preparation Conference and Law Fair now entering

its ninth successful year. And Evangeline plans to not

only continue, but to make it bigger and better and ul-

timately - through greater outreach and technology -

reach as many people as possible..

I knew there was so much I didnt

know. And there really was a great

deal o inormation that I didnt real-

ize I didnt know. What made matters

worse is that we didnt have the Inter-

net back then, and the library on mycollege campus had extremely lim-

ited resources, especially related to law

school,she reminisces.



TheNATioNAL


8/16



About the Founder

Evangeline M. MitchellEsq., Ed.M.,Founder & Executive Director

Evangeline was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and raised in

Houston, Texas. She graduated magna cum laude from Prairie ViewA&M University, a historically Black university. She went on to earn

her doctorate of jurisprudence from the University of Iowa College

of Law. At Iowa, she earned membership on the Iowa Law Review.

S

he studied international and comparative

law abroad with the University of Iowa Bor-deaux Summer Program and participated

in the London Law Consortium Semester Study

Abroad Program and in their British Legal Ex-

ternship Program, where she served as a legal

extern to barrister (trial lawyer) Elroy Claxton.

She also spent a semester as a visiting student

at the University of Houston Law Center. As a

law student, she interned in the legal tax depart-

ment at Shell Oil Company (Houston, Texas),

participated in the Minority Judicial Clerkship

Program (Johnson County Courthouse, Iowa

City), and served as a research assistant to Dean

N. William Hines and Professor Herbert Hoven-

kamp. Further, she clerked at a complex busi-ness litigation boutique law rm in Houston.

Evangeline earned a master of education with

a concentration in administration, planning

and social policy from Harvard University,

and gained higher education research experi-

ence through the Harvard University National

Campus Diversity Project, and practical experi-

ence working in the Harvard Medical Schools

Oce of Recruitment and Multicultural Aairs

and at Brown University in student aairs. Fur-

ther, she taught English and American culture

abroad for two years at various high schools

and to adult learners through the Japan Ex-

change and Teaching Programme. She is a stu-dent of the Spanish language and has studied

Spanish and Mexican culture at various institu-

tions and through family home stay programs

throughout Mexico.

After graduating from Harvard, Evangeline pub-

lished her rst book The Arican American Pre-

Law School Advice Guide. Since that time, Evan-

geline made the risky and courageous move

to forego opportunities and her own original

plans to pursue a Ph.D. and international/mul-

ticultural/diversity leadership in higher educa-

tion, and chose to follow the uncommon path

of becoming a passionate and driven socialentrepreneur.

Evangeline has been doing this work for well

over a decade. She is dedicated to creating

accessible educational resources, events, and

programs centered on helping Blacks and oth-

er minorities become more excellent, strategic,

and competitive law school applicants and law

students. In addition to founding The National

Black Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair in 2005,

Evangeline founded Black Pre-Law Magazine,

BlackPreLaw.com, The National Black Pre-Law

Network, The National HBCU Pre-Law Project,

The Black Lawyers Legacy Project, and The Fu-

ture Legal Eagles Flight School.She has written or edited, and published fourbooks including The Arican American Pre-LawSchool Advice Guide, Profles & Essays o Success-ul Arican American Law School Applicants, The

Arican American Law School Survival Guide, and

Conquering the Bar Exam. She is currently work-ing on several book projects including Conquerthe LSAT!,Arican Americans and the Law SchoolExperience, Creating Your Personal Strategic Suc-cess Plan or Law School Admission and Lessonsrom 100 Successul Arican American Lawyers.

She is also working on video and lm projects,as well as other national events.

Evangeline is a licensed attorney, certied me-diator, speaker/trainer, and strategic planningcoach. She is a fellow of the Texas Bar Founda-tion, twice a Houston Bar Association Equal Ac-cess Champion, and a Harvard University alum-na interviewer. She takes onpro bono cases forthe Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program. Shealso consistently mentors students from highschool to post-law school.

Evangeline has been quoted in U.S. News &World Report, been featured in several publi-cations, and contributed to the Harvard Black

Alumni Societys Law School Application Guide.


9/16



TheNATioNAL

GENDER MIX AGE RANGE

Under 25 - 57.7%

25-34 26.9%

35-44 10.6%

45-54 4.6%

55-64 0.1%

65+ - 0.2%

Female - 73%

Male - 27%

Registrat Demgraphic Ifrmati

Alabama

Arkansas

Arizona

California

Colorado

ConnecticutDistrict of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Illinois

Indiana

Kansas

Louisiana

Maryland

MassachusettsMichigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

North CarolinaOhio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

VirginiaWashington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

* Based on 2008-2012 registration data.


10/16



The National Black Pre-Law Conerence and Law Fair is the only national event o its kind in the

country ocused on ensuring the success o uture Black law students. In its almost nine years in

existence, it has developed an excellent reputation as the major event or Arican Americans

interested in law school. We expect an attendance o approximately 500+ registrants this year.

Sponsorship of The National Black Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair provides its sponsors with the unmatched

opportunity to:

Reach thousands through our pre-event promotional campaign (radio, Internet including social media, print)Closely interact with hundreds of aspiring Black law students (college students, college graduates, working

professionals), as well as current law students, law school administrators, law professors, lawyers and judges

Showcase their community responsibility, and highlight their organizations commitment to diversity

Create awareness and visibility of their brand, and connect it to a dynamic national audience of rising Blackprofessionals - visionaries, leaders, and contributors

Develop an anity with our target audience, who will associate them with a life-changing and empoweringexperience

Make direct connections and forge new links with representatives of other organizations with a commoncommitment to diversity in general, and to this special demographic of future Black law students and lawyers

We are committed to developing long-term, mutually benecial relationships with our sponsors.

We realize we cant do what we do without your support and value our partnership greatly.

Why Spsr The natial BlacPre-Law Cferece ad Law Fair?

O U R C U R R E N T N AT I O N A L M E D I A PA R T N E R

Radio One is the largest radio broadcasting operation thatprimarily targets Arican-American and urban consumers inthe nation.

They currently own and/or operate 53 broadcast stationslocated in 15 urban markets in the United States.

Radio One stations reach 82% o Arican Americans.

Our pre-conference promotional campaign will reach millions.


11/16



TheNATioNAL

PAST SPONSORS

Crprate Spsrs

Small Bsiess Spsrs

Law Firm Spsrs

Law Schl Spsrs Crprate I-kid Spsrs

Access Group, Inc.

Recruit for Law School, Inc.

Andrews Kurth LLP Baker Botts LLP Ballard Spahr LLP Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

Dickstein Shapiro LLP Faegre & Benson LLP Hunton & Williams Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Latham & Watkins LLP

Mayer Brown LLP McGuireWoods LLPShook, Hardy

& Bacon, L.L.P. Thompson & Knight LLP

BarBri

Law Preview Princeton Review Macys

Avalon Massage

& Bodyworks

McDonalds Starbucks Coe

Sonesta ES Suites

Greater Houston Convention

& Visitors Bureau

SuperShuttle

Kaplan Bar Review - 1L Edge

Semester Success Program

Phoenix School of Law

Veritas Prep

Citi Microsoft Proctor & Gamble

Sidley Austin LLP

Edwards Wildman

Palmer LLP

Finnegan

Jackson Walker L.L.P.Steptoe & Johnson LLP

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

Huron Consulting Group


12/16



PAST LOCAL MEDIA PARTNERS

PAST NATIONAL MEDIA PARTNERS

PAST COMMUNITY/ORGANIzATIONAL PARTNERS AND STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

Black Star News Dallas Weekly Houston Forward Times i10 Media Group The Choice 90.9 FM

Black Legal Issues HBCU Connect HBCU Network Radio One

Black Summit Weekend/

Foundation for Student

Leadership and Success

Council on

Legal Education

Opportunity

Empowered

Entrepreneurs

Houston Area Urban League

Young Professionals

National Urban Leagu

Young Professionals

National Bar

Association

National Black

MBA Association -

Houston Chapter

Houston

Lawyers

Association

State Bar of Texas

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity,

University of Houston, Eta

Lambda (Space City) Chapter

National Association

of Future Black Law

Students

National Black Law Students Association

National Pre-Law Division

National Black Law Students Association

Rocky Mountain Region

Shrine of the Black Madonna

Cultural Center and Book Store

100 Black

Women

Houston

Tri-County Black

Chamber of Commerce

Houston Young Lawyers

Association Tomorrows

Attorneys Pipeline Program

National Association

of Black Female

Entrepreneurs

University of Houston

Downtown Black

Student Alliance

Texas Business

Alliance

100 Black Men of

Houston Metropolitan

Chapter, Inc.

Association of

Law Firm Diversity

Professionals

Houston Style Magazine Rolling Out Magazine D-MARS.com


13/16



TheNATioNAL

Sccess Stries

Iattended the conerence and it has by ar been the best pre-law event that Iveattended. Being surrounded by so many Arican American judges, lawyers, and

administrators was a breath o resh air and an assurance that I too could join the

ranks o Black lawyers. Had it not been or the conerence, I dont think that I wouldhave walked away with the condence I needed to navigate the admissions process

nor would I have met a judge which led to me joining a local non-prot and a research

opportunity or this summer. I was accepted to the University o Caliornia, Berkeley,

University o Michigan-Ann Arbor, University o Pennsylvania, Duke, Georgetown,Cornell, and University o Southern Caliornia. None o that would be possible without

the encouragement, amazing advice and instruction, and hope I received ater

attending the National Black Pre-Law Conerence.

Chayla C. JacksonFirst-Year Law Student, Georgetown University Law CenterWashington, DC

The National Black Pre-Law Conerence truly is the preeminent event or minorities

who are contemplating the study and practice o law. The conerence is verywell organized and yields SO much inormation that will help to guide you on

your journey. I personally attended the conerence and the wealth o inormation and

contacts that I had access to were invaluable. Because o the skills and conceptsthat I gleaned rom conerence, I was able to successully make my way through the

admissions process. I was ultimately accepted to the University o Maryland, Universityo Baltimore, and Howard University Schools o Law. Bottom Line: GO! Be Inspired!

Rise to the Challenge! And SUCCEED!

Vincent BrownFirst-Year Law Student, University o Maryland School o LawBaltimore, Maryland

Ididnt know many people that were on the same path as me and I didnt haveanyone to turn to or guidance and elt that I would nd some sense o relie by

attending the conerence. . . .O the 14 or so schools that I applied to, I got accepted

to all but about 4 o them, some o which ofered awesome scholarships!. . . I really

dont eel that I would have the condence in mysel or the motivation that I have i itwasnt or The National Black Pre-Law Conerence. Beore the conerence, I was only

thinking inside the box, but now I eel that I can accomplish anything that I really work

hard or and put my all into. I urge anyone who is interested in law school to attendthe conerence.

Ashley CloudFirst-Year Law Student, Howard University School o LawWashington, DC


14/16



This conerence was organized, detailed, inormative and most importantly,relatable. Actual attorneys headed diferent seminars and workshops. They were

personable, knowledgeable, and answered all inquiries. I you are even slightly

interested in the legal eld, attendance at this conerence is a MUST!

Jessica C. Smith

Second-Year Law Student

Thurgood Marshall School o Law

Texas Southern University

Houston, Texas

Iattended the National Black Pre-Law Conerence and learned a million and one

things about the legal education process, rom when and even where to apply,

to when to take the LSAT, and even more priceless, are the connections I madewith other like-minded aspiring lawyers rom all over the country. This event is truly

a treasure or aspiring lawyers who oten are challenged with nding inormation,

especially inormation specic to ethnic minorities.

Ayomide Shittu

First-Year Law Student

University o Texas at Austin School o Law

Austin, Texas

Thank you so much or dedicating so much time and efort into making theNational Black Pre-Law Conerence a great success! The conerence inspired me

to reapply to law schools because the rst time around I was completely on my

own, and my pre-law advisor was not o much help to me. The tips that the panelists

gave during the diferent seminars were very helpul to me and I was able to put theminto good use during the application process. I sent out the applications much earlier

this time around, and instead o getting outright Nos rom schools, I was given

opportunities to prove mysel at NCCU Law, Florida Coastal and Widener. I chose todo the Trial Admissions Program (TAP) at Widener, and though it was great leap oaith and a great sacrice o my time and money, by the grace o God I was successul

with the program and got great news that I have been accepted at Widener University

School o Law. I can honestly say that your work is not in vain and I will do whatever Ican do help you to continue to make this a success.

Jasmine HarringtonFirst-Year Law Student, Widener University School o LawHarrisburg, Pennsylvania

Testimials


15/16



TheNATioNAL

The National Black Pre-Law Conerence and Law Fair played an integral role in whyI [attend] the University o Houston Law Center. I would encourage aspiring Black

law students to also take part in this amazing and proessional event as it is a

rare opportunity in which you can learn how to make yoursel a more well-rounded

applicant, as well as network with successul black attorneys who are willing to havean open dialogue concerning the issues we as minority students may ace in applying,

nancing, and conquering law school.

Ariell Hardy

Second-Year Law Student

University o Houston Law Center

Houston, Texas

This conerence is a must or any pre-law student o color. I had perormed years o

legal research and preparation beore I attended the conerence and I thought I

was ready to start my legal journey. Once I did attend, I realized that even through

my individual diligence, Id missed a lot o things that I needed to know. Thats the gisto this conerence - it will answer the questions that you have and the questions you

didnt know to ask.Chris OliverSecond-Year Law StudentSouth Texas College o LawHouston, Texas

The conerence and the educational experience I received there greatly impacted

my acceptance to my law school o choice, as well as acceptance to ve otherprestigious institutions. The networking opportunities at the National Black Pre-

Law Conerence are countless and the relationships I have developed are priceless.

Jennipher V. WilliamsThird-Year Law StudentSouthern University Law CenterBaton Rouge, Louisiana

God has truly used this organization to make an impact on my lie, and I pray that

it will continue to help young aspiring attorneys accomplish their goals and

dreams. I have to just say that many o the contacts I made in Houston are stillmy riends to this day. I was able to have so much wisdom and discernment because

o the things I learned in the conerence. You should see how I was able to help some o

my riends out because I gained so much inormation rom your program.

Ricky Armand , J.D.Law Graduate/AttorneyVermont Law SchoolSouth Royalton, Vermont

See numerous additional testimonials on our website and live video testimonials on our

YouTube Channel!

Website: http://www.blackprelawconference.com/testimonials-supportersYoutube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Blackprelaw


16/16

P.O. Box 631234

Houston, Texas 77263

Phone/Fax: 281-247-4026

[email protected]

www.blackprelawconference.com

Pre-LAWBLACk

Then A T I o n A L

cferece & law fair

nbplc 2013 sponsorship information booklet

Documents