Thomas Jefferson School of Law's CLIMB Program Enters Its 7th Year

SAN DIEGO, CA, 4/26/17 – On April 13th, the Crawford Legal Institute Mentorship Bond Program (CLIMB) completed its seventh year of operations with the largest ever group of student volunteers.

It has been an extraordinary journey seeing students from Crawford graduate from this program and go onto to college to become successful professionals. But we are also thankful to have another dynamo year of ambitious programming designed and implemented by Thomas Jefferson School of Law student volunteers in coordination with the Crawford Legal Academy. Some of this year's program highlights from CLIMB include having:

Arranged a field trip with Crawford students to the courthouse to see County of San Diego Superior Court Judge Ana L. Espana in action;

Hosted Administrative Law Judge Vallera Johnson as a guest speaker to speak on the judicial process, law school and how to become a judge;

Hosted Professor Marquetta Stewart Brown to speak on the mediation process and arranged a mediation exercise;

Invited the Thomas Jefferson School of Law Mock Trial team members to present and conduct an exercise;

Assisted with Crawford High School mock trial preparation and oral arguments in inter-school competition;

Hosted Thomas Jefferson School of Law professors including Professor Ilene Durst to speak on immigration law and Professor Kevin J. Greene to speak on intellectual property and hip hop law among others;

Arranged for students to take the Myers-Brigg test with certified administrators to discover their career and personal aptitude;

Arranged a speaker presentation to the students on public speaking skills and the value of perseverance;

Arranged a speaker presentation on business plan development, finances and entrepreneurship and facilitated a student exercise developing business models;

Arranged for students to hear our professionally trained Stephanie Moreno give a performance on Mexican music while celebrating the students' cultural heritage with music from Mexico, the Philippines, Thailand, Jamaica and more;

Facilitated essays, prose and poetry showcasing students concerns with justice, law and overcoming their personal challenges;

Arranged for the donation of a civics, history and human rights law text for Crawford students to incorporate into next year's curriculum.

It is hoped CLIMB will become the first step in developing a pipeline and mentorship program with area community colleges and the Pathways to Law School program partnership that is currently in the works with Thomas Jefferson School of Law. CLIMB is also in talks to expand to the Los Angeles area where many volunteers have roots and passion for education and mentorship.

This year CLIMB was led by program co-coordinators Philemon Norris and Constance Perry along with Board members Cristina Babin, Jessica Dance, Olavo Michel and Armando Diaz Lombardo Ocariz.

These board members put in countless hours going above and beyond the call of duty and CLIMB requires an extraordinary commitment to design, implement a curriculum in conjunction with Crawford faculty. A plaque and certificate ceremony honoring these members and our volunteers allowed for a wonderful opportunity to thank these selfless individuals.

Next year's co-coordinators are Bethany Tate and Anastasia Rose and we look forward to another stellar year under their stewardship.

"I am very proud of our Thomas Jefferson School of Law Board and volunteers," said Professor Dyson. "They stepped up to many challenges and conquered them. I also very moved by the touching mentorship bond that has formed between Crawford and Thomas Jefferson School of Law students. We see right before our eyes the students' transformation and the direct impact we are making to change lives, days and weeks at a time. It has been one of the most profoundly meaningful experiences Thomas Jefferson School of Law students have in their time in law school."

In 2013, the CLIMB Program received State Bar of California Education Pipeline Award.

SEE: Thomas Jefferson School of Law's CLIMB Program Wins State Bar Award

Professor Maurice Dyson is the CLIMB faculty advisor and co-founder along with Professor Emeritus William Slomanson.

Contact Professor Maurice Dyson, Bethany Tate or Anastasia Rose if you would like to learn more about participating in CLIMB next year at climb@tjsl.edu

The mission of Thomas Jefferson School of Law is to provide an outstanding legal education for a nationally-based, diverse student body in a collegial and supportive environment with attention to newly emerging areas of law, particularly those related to technological development, globalization and the quest for social justice. Located in Downtown San Diego, Thomas Jefferson School of Law has evolved into an innovative, cutting-edge law school, devoted to the individual needs and success of its students. More information is available at www.tjsl.edu.


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CONTACT: Thomas Jefferson School of Law Director of Marketing and Communications Edgar Hopida, 619-961-4314 or 619-913-0719, ehopida@tjsl.edu