NAREISSA SMITH

At this time of year, most are taking a deep breath after filing taxes, finalizing an Easter outfit, or looking ahead to Memorial Day. Law school applicants, on the other hand, are stressed. Law school seat deposits for this fall’s 1L classes are due soon. Anyone would be stressed when facing a decision that could not only cost roughly $150,000, but could also determine future career prospects. With the cost, the pressure, the rankings, and other concerns to consider, it’s understandable that Ap

From the moment you enter law school, you must begin planning your career. While today’s law students have a variety of career options, too few students consider clerking after law school. Some students don’t understand the benefits of clerking. Others know the benefits, but believe they are unqualified. This post will explain the benefits of judicial clerkships and why law students – particularly African American law students – should consider applying for them. Judges hand down hundreds of de

The warm rays and lazy days of summer may seem far away to most, but law students must begin planning for the summer now. While few law students plan to spend the summer lounging on the beach, some students think summer school is the way to go. While the chance to save money or graduate earlier may appeal to you, resist it. Unless you have extraordinary circumstances, taking a job or internship is a much better choice for your career. This post will explain how working during your 1L summer help

While most Americans regard January as chance to recover from the holidays. But for law students, January marks a time of high anxiety: the arrival of law school grades. Though students worry about grades to varying degrees throughout law school, first year students usually experience the highest levels of stress. Let’s be honest: anyone who tells you that law school grades don’t matter is lying. Your grades, particularly your first-year grades, will shape your early career. Also, as this blog

For most Americans, November brings the promise of big dinners, family gatherings, and holiday fun.  But for law students, November promises one thing: final exams.  Final exams are one of the most nerve-wracking academic experiences.  Final grades – particularly first year grades – can shape a young attorney’s career for years.  So, law students have good reason to be nervous heading into this season. While final exams are important for all law students, Black law students face special challen

There are 204 ABA-accredited law schools in the United States, but six of them stand out from the pack.  These six – Howard University School of Law, North Carolina Central University School of Law, Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Southern University Law Center, FAMU College of Law, and the David A. Clarke School of Law at the University of the District of Columbia – have the distinct honor of being the only Historically Black Law Schools in the nation.  These law sc

Among lawyers, perhaps no test is debated as often as the bar examination. Race is a large part of the debate, as Black law grads are more likely to struggle on the bar exam than their white counterparts. “Learned” professors have killed many forests in their repeated attempts to argue that law schools – particularly top-ranked law schools – could cure the problem by admitting only “qualified” Black students. But these simplistic arguments overlook the fact that there are factors beyond LSAT sco