Any law student could attest that law school is anything but easy, but life after the bar exam may be a more difficult experience.

Texas A&M University School of Law in Fort Worth is launching the first incubator-type program in Texas to assist law grads’ transitions into law practices. 

Beginning this September, the Texas Apprenticeship Program will pair recent law graduates with attorneys and law firms in cities such as Dallas, to work as apprentices, gaining experience and connecting with the communities they’re placed in.

Apprentices will focus on their areas of interest in which they want to work in the future. Many practitioners participating advocate for the growing need of lawyers working pro bono or for modest means clients.

“Instead of sending graduates into the profession and trusting that healthy mentorships will develop organically, we’re formally teaming graduates with practice leaders from day one.”
Susan Fortney

Organizer of the program, Professor Susan Fortney, hopes participants will benefit from the real-world experiences, at a relatively low cost.

“Instead of sending graduates into the profession and trusting that healthy mentorships will develop organically, we’re formally teaming graduates with practice leaders from day one,” Fortney said in a release. 

As the largest charitably-funded bar association, the Texas Bar Foundation provided a $25,000 grant for the program. Texas A&M University is also giving $25,000 for the program. 

Along with the Texas Apprenticeship Program, Texas A&M University is enhancing its innovative landscape by opening a virtual “I-School” or School of Innovation. The school will not have a full-time staff, courses, or degrees, but offer students information about course offerings, programs, and services.

The school’s design is a collaborative effort of all A&M’s colleges, schools, branch campuses, University libraries, and the Office of Research. By offering the I-School and restructuring university service, Texas A&M is dedicated to advancing existing programs.

Former dean of the Texas A&M Law School Andy Morriss will serve as the dean of the new I-School, starting on Aug. 1.  

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