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.
Dallas Innovates, every day
R E A D N E X T
-
The inaugural October 8th Texas Blockchain Summit could be a watershed event for making Texas "the jurisdiction of choice" for Bitcoin and other digital currencies. Lee Bratcher, president of the Texas Blockchain Council, will host a wide array of speakers including Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis.
-
Nonprofit BUiLT is hosting the event to highlight the success and possibilities of Black tech talent in the region. “There is no talent pipeline problem,” says Peter Beasley, co-founder of the Blacks United in Leading Technology International. “Black tech talent is widely available, especially in North Texas.”
-
The NTXIA is a founding member of the new National Smart Coalitions Partnership, now one of the largest smart cities networks in the country. The organization unites more than 100 governments across seven regional smart cities consortiums. The goal? To accelerate sustainability and resilience in communities.
-
The U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which passed in May, has the power to develop 20 tech hubs throughout the United States. According to Tech Titans' CEO Bill Sproull, Dallas-Fort Worth could be a strong contender for one of those spots.
-
$550 billion in new infrastructure spending is coming to projects nationwide—and a big slice is bound for Texas. From new electric buses to rail projects to improved power infrastructure to lead water service line removal and more, Texas' environment may be one of the biggest beneficiaries of all. AECOM CEO Troy Rudd says the bill will help support critically needed innovation and sustainable solutions projects.
