Burr & Forman has officially open its application process for the firm’s 2020 Pre-Law Program. Applications can be viewed here.

In 2019, Burr & Forman welcomed 12 undergraduate students across fives offices into the program, the largest pre-law class in firm history.

For its 2019 pre-law program, the firm’s diversity committee set out to overhaul and revitalize its former program to better focus on activities and applicable experience to provide career resources to students who are passionate about diversity and inclusion. The program also focused on building legal skills as well as professional skills to carry students through law school, and ultimately, a career in the legal field.

Pre-law student Noah Trotter in Atlanta said this about the program, “I was truly able to see that Burr actually values diversity. Lawyers at the firm also increased my interests in different practice areas and expanded my knowledge on the history of law.”

Over the five-week summer program, students were tasked to complete case assessments, participate in a mock trial class and complete legal research for active cases on behalf of attorneys. Additionally, the program was pumped with speakers and professors from area law schools who were brought in to talk about the law school admission process.

“The Burr & Forman pre-law program allowed me to meet some incredible people including attorneys and other future law school students. The panels held with law school admissions directors along with the connections made throughout the program have given me a big advantage going into law school and into my legal career,” said Birmingham pre-law Chandler Brown.

Pre-law students also prepared oral arguments for their own personal mock trial where students served as opposing counsel against each other and were judged by a group of associates at the firm. In addition, students spent time meeting with attorneys one-on-one to learn about their practice as well as attended practice group meeting and court hearings across the firm.

“It was so helpful to meet with the attorneys and understand how they got to where they are today. They were all so generous taking the time to speak with us and explain their different practice areas. It was really interesting to see the law in action in the court room,” said Jackie Cajigal, pre-law student in the Columbia, SC office.

The firm also brought all 12 pre-law students to the Birmingham office for the firm’s first-ever “Pre-Law Retreat.” There in Birmingham, pre-laws listened to an associate panel talk about the life of an associate as well as a professional communications coach that gave pointers on the best way to communicate in business. As part of the retreat, the firm also taught a resume best practices class, led by the firm’s recruiting committee.

Birmingham pre-law Dazja Lloyd reflects on her time at the firm, “The pre-law summer internship allowed me to gain more knowledge than I could have imagined. Not only do I feel more confident about entering law school this fall, but I feel that I have made lasting friendships this summer with the other interns within my class. The pre-law retreat gave me a chance to really get to know a little bit more about the other interns and our career plans.”

For more information about the firm’s pre-law program and the 2020 pre-law application process, please Danielle Smith, dsmith@burr.com.