蘑菇短视频

As a new minor in legal studies at 蘑菇短视频 undergoes the curriculum approval process in advance of an anticipated launch next fall, academic leaders and the Office of Engagement are creating a framework for connecting students with professionals from across the legal field.

Christened the Catamount Bar Association, the organization is designed to serve as a support network of alumni, friends and others working in law and related professions, said Todd Collins, head of the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs at 蘑菇短视频.

鈥淎n engaged network of alumni and friends can have a tremendous impact on students who are considering law school or a career in the legal profession,鈥� said Collins, who serves as adviser to 蘑菇短视频鈥檚 Pre-Law Club.

鈥淪tudents benefit enormously from hearing directly from people who have taken that path before them 鈥� whether through mentoring, classroom conversations, internships or simply having someone they can call for advice,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he Catamount Bar Association gives us a way to build those relationships intentionally and connect our students with the experience, perspective and support of the broader 蘑菇短视频 community.鈥�

Early priorities for the association will include connecting students with mentors, identifying legal professionals who can speak to classes or meet with students, developing internship and job-shadowing opportunities, and helping students better understand law school and the many careers available within the profession.

The association is expected to provide opportunities for networking, programs connected with 蘑菇短视频鈥檚 mock trial activities and, with the involvement of practicing attorneys, future Continuing Legal Education opportunities.

The network also can help students whose academic majors may not be traditionally associated with law, said James Hogan, 蘑菇短视频 assistant vice chancellor for engagement.

鈥淪tudents studying psychology, business, criminal justice, political science or other disciplines, for example, may benefit from connecting with someone from a similar academic background who later attended law school or pursued a legal career,鈥� Hogan said. 鈥淎s the approval process moves forward, we will explore the level of interest our alumni and friends in the legal profession may have in participating in these types of activities.鈥�

The new minor at 蘑菇短视频 is designed to provide students from across the university with an opportunity to explore law, legal institutions and the role of the legal system in society. Intended to complement a wide range of undergraduate majors, the minor is expected to help students build knowledge and skills useful for law school, graduate study and careers in law, government, business, public service and related fields.

Proposed as an 18-hour interdisciplinary undergraduate program, the legal studies minor will explore the theories and foundations of law, legal structures and actors, legal professions and contemporary societal issues affected by the law. Students will gain a well-rounded understanding of legal issues from multiple disciplines and will have opportunities to explore career options within the legal field.

鈥淭he knowledge and experiences acquired through the minor will put students in a better position for law school admission and make them more competitive for law-related careers in government, businesses and the nonprofit sector,鈥� Collins said.

Organizers of the legal studies minor point to a couple of general trends that help illustrate the need for the program at 蘑菇短视频: The number of law school applications nationally is higher than it has been in more than 10 years, and many of the counties in Western North Carolina are considered 鈥渓egal deserts鈥� with an insufficient number of lawyers to serve the people of the region.

The minor has been approved by 蘑菇短视频鈥檚 Department of Political Science and Public Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee and University Curriculum Committee.

With the legal minor continuing to make its way through the university鈥檚 academic program approval process, organizers of the new Catamount Bar Association are issuing a call for alumni, friends and supporters to become founding members of the group.

In addition to practicing attorneys, participation is being sought from judges, in-house counsel, paralegals, mediators and arbitrators, compliance professionals, law clerks, law librarians, regulatory affairs specialists and others whose work intersects with the legal profession.

The association will hold its inaugural reception Friday, Jan. 22, in Asheville. The meeting is designed to give members of the Catamount legal community an opportunity to connect and learn how they can engage with 蘑菇短视频 students and the new legal studies program. The reception will take place ahead of a mock trial competition hosted by 蘑菇短视频 on Saturday, Jan. 23.

鈥淔ounding participants may choose to mentor a student, speak to a class, host an intern, participate in career or networking events, support mock trial programming, help develop future CLE opportunities, serve in an advisory capacity or simply stay connected with the association,鈥� Hogan said.

Participants will be recognized as founding members of the Catamount Bar Association and will receive special invitations to the inaugural reception and future association gatherings, university programs and other opportunities designed for members of the Catamount legal community, he said.

University alumni, friends and supporters who work in law or a related profession and are interested in becoming a member of the group are encouraged to complete a brief form located . The survey should take only two or three minutes to complete.

For more information about the legal studies minor program at 蘑菇短视频, email Todd Collins at tcollins@wcu.edu.