The ISBA/JTBF Law and Leadership Institute (LLI) will kick off its first residential program this Sunday at the Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale. The downstate program is a one week residential program running from Sunday, June 24 through Saturday, June 30.

The LLI is a statewide initiative to assist students from minority, ethnic, and other groups who are currently underrepresented in the legal professions achieve academic success and aspire to a career in the law.

The two current programs in Illinois were spearheaded by the ISBA Diversity Pipeline committee and will be hosted by the Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale and the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. The Chicago commuter program will be held from Monday, July 23 through Friday, August 10.

The LLI involves a combination of classroom lectures, logic and critical thinking exercises, writing and oral advocacy instruction, guest speakers, and field trips to area law firms, government offices and courthouses. Many ISBA members participate as program speakers and activity sponsors. Students who participate in the LLI will:

• Study the legal system and how it works;
• Build leadership and teamwork skills;
• Cultivate critical thinking skills through analyzing selected cases, debating legal issues and participating in a mock oral argument;
• Learn what it takes to become a lawyer;
• Develop contacts with legal professionals and organizations that provide scholarships, internships and mentors; and
• Gain insight into the college admissions process and financial aid resources.

Find out more about the Law and Leadership Institute at www.isba.org/lawandleadershipprogram.