The WBA is committed to maintaining a legacy of excellence and service. To that end, the Law Students Division (LSD) was established in 2007 to specifically begin fostering these attributes in the next generation of lawyers.

The Law Students Division is a pipeline for law students to establish relationships with other law students across the region, as well as local attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals while pursuing their law degrees. The LSD works to provide forums for networking, informal mentorship, career advice, and volunteer opportunities.

Career Fair

This is the WBA’s annual fair and is designed to equip law students with the tools they need to compete in a tough market. Held early in the Spring semester, the career fair includes sessions on resume critiques, mock interviews and the dos and don’ts of interviewing. The career fair also provides an opportunity for law students to apply for summer internships and meet members of the judiciary who are seeking interns and clerks.

The career fair is open to students from all law schools in the DC Metropolitan Area.

For more information about the Annual Career Fair, please contact the WBA Law Student Division Chair at www.lsdivision@washingtonbar.org.

Bar Mentorship Program

“Raising the Bar” is a mentorship program that matches third year law students who are sitting for the bar exam with already licensed attorneys who will guide participating students through the bar examination process from the moment they submit their applications to the day they receive their test results. This program is coordinated by the WBA’s Young Lawyers Division and is a demonstration of the WBA’s commitment to making sure that members of the Law Student Division pass the bar examination on their first try.

This program is open to all recent graduates taking a bar examination. Persons taking the bar exam in an additional jurisdiction and repeat test takers are also welcome and encouraged to apply for a bar mentor.

For more information about the “Raising the Bar” program, please contact the WBA Law Student Division Chair at jamal.bailey1@udc.edu.

Learn from the Best
Law Clerk Preparation

The WBA is fortunate to be the only voluntary bar association with a Judicial Council that boasts more than 100 members of the state and federal courts. Working with the Judicial Council the WBA-LSD has established a Judicial Internship Program and Law Clerk Boot Camp. The WBA is committed to ensuring that students are prepared to compete for position of Law Clerk and thrive once they obtain the positions after graduation.

To learn more about the WBA’s Law Clerk Preparation support, please contact the WBA Student Affairs Committee Chair at www.lsdivision@washingtonbar.org.

LSD Volunteer Opportunities for Attorneys

Become a Bar Mentor!

The WBA is recruiting lawyers of all ages to serve as bar mentors to help increase the first time bar exam passage rate for students of color through the WBA’s “Raising the Bar” program.

There is no minimum time requirement for mentoring. Bar mentors are expected only to offer critical advice to their mentees about the bar application and examination process. Mentors and mentees will be matched based on a set of established criteria, including the jurisdiction where the mentee is sitting for the bar examination. The student and mentor will establish their own parameters for their mentoring relationship, which officially concludes once bar examination results are released. Mentors and mentees are encouraged to remain in touch beyond the examination process.

As a bar mentor, there are a variety of ways you can assist your mentees, including but not limited to:

  • Sharing advice on time management and testing taking skills
  • Lending bar materials
  • Serving as a source of encouragement

To enroll in the program, please contact the WBA Law Student Division Chair at www.lsdivision@washingtonbar.org.