Students Invited to Explore Legal Education, Profession at Pre-Law Day, Nov. 7-8

Alumni lawyers speak to students about legal practice during Pre-Law Day 2017

Ohio University’s annual Pre-Law Days begin on Thursday, Nov, 7, at 5 p.m. in Baker Theater with a keynote address from Ohio University alumnus Pierce Reed titled “Revolution, Evolution, and Convolution: How Liberal Arts Saved My Career In Law.”

Reed is an outstanding alumnus that has dedicated his life to public service and law. In 1986, Reed graduated summa cum laude from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He later graduated from Northeastern University School of Law with his Juris Doctor degree. Reed has served as a law clerk to former United States Magistrate Judge Joyce London Alexander Ford, one of the first African-American women to serve in the federal judiciary.

Reed also served more than ten years as senior judicial attorney to Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor of the Ohio Supreme Court. Pierce is now serves as the Program Director for Policy, Legislation, and Education for the Ohio Innocence Project at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, which is dedicated to investigating claims of wrongful imprisonment and the exoneration of people who are imprisoned for crimes they did not commit.

Pre-Law Days continues throughout Friday, Nov. 8, with a variety of panels and roundtables. Alumni from a variety of legal backgrounds will  answer questions, guide discussion, and engage with students. The event is free, and all students are encouraged to attend.

Fridays sessions will begin with a series of panels. These panels will feature  Ohio University alumni who have gone on to obtain Juris Doctor degrees. They will speak about their law school and professional experiences. The panels are a great opportunity to learn more about areas of law and practical issues surrounding becoming a lawyer. Students can attend as many panels as they desire and are encouraged to come with questions about law school, practicing law, and the legal profession.

The morning panels will be moderated by College of Arts & Science faculty members Dr. Jennifer Fredette and Dr. Kathleen Sullivan, both Associate Professors of Political Science, Dr. Elizabeth Koonce, Assistant Professor of English , Dr. Kevin Uhalde, Associate Professor of History, Dr. Holly Ningard, Assistant Professor of Instruction in Sociology, and Dr. Haley Duschinski, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Center for Law, Justice & Culture.

After the panels, there will be a series of presentations from law related student organizations at Ohio University. This is an opportunity for alumni to learn about the exciting work that students are doing on campus related to law. It is also an opportunity for undergraduate students to learn about law-related organizations they can join on campus. After a break, the day concludes with a series of round table discussions. The round table discussions provide an opportunity for judges, lawyers, and students to come together to discuss contemporary legal issues in the United States.

The alumni panelists and schedule for November 8th is as follows:

9:40 – 10:35 a.m. 1st Round of Panels

• Women in Law: Baker 231
  • Panelists: Megan Kelley, Alexa Jesser, Katie Basalla, Maddie Rettig, Peggy Replogle, Mary Stanley
• Law School Advice: Baker 233
  • Panelists: Dan Kemp, Michael Siegal, Pierce Reed, Helen Robinson, John Stember, Jere Krakoff
• Criminal Law: Baker 235
  • Panelists: Nick Eaton, Joe Gibson, Clarke Vandervort, Rob Föehl
• Corporate Law: Baker 237
  • Panelists: Kerry Boyle, Brian Grube, Joe Gibson, Chris Stanley

10:45 – 11:40 a. m. 2nd Round of Panels

• Public Interest Law: Baker 231
  • Panelists: Megan Kelley, Maddie Rettig, Pierce Reed, Joe Gibson
• Alternative Legal Careers: Baker 233
  • Panelists: Micah Siegal, Rob Föehl, Clarke Vandervort, John Stember, Jere Krakoff
• Pursuing Your Dream Job or Internship: Baker 235
  • Panelists: Dan Kemp, Chris Stanley, Brian Grube, Nick Eaton, Peggy Replogle
• Law School Advice: Baker 237
  • Panelists: Alexa Jesser, Katie Basalla, Kerry Boyle, Mary Stanley

11:50 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Student Presentations

• Baker 242
  • Phi Alpha Delta
  • Ohio University Mock Trial Team
  • ACLU-OU
  • OIP-U
  • Undergraduate Black Law Students Association
  • Students Defending Students

2:15 – 3:30 p.m. Roundtable Discussions

• Baker 240
  • Cause Lawyering
    • Mediator: Brian Grube
  • Gender and the Law
    • Mediator: Megan Kelley and Katie Basalla
  • Professionalism in the Law
    • Mediator: Dan Kemp
  • Wrongful Convictions
    • Mediator: Pierce Reed and Nick Eaton
  • Brandenburg v. Ohio Turns 50
    • Mediator: Maddie Rettig and Helen Robinson

Pre-Law Days are sponsored by the Center for Law, Justice & Culture. Students with questions about law school or the legal profession should stop by the Center for Law, Justice & Culture on Wednesdays between 1-4 p.m. for pre-law advising with Pre-Law Specialist Larry Hayman.