BIPOC and First-Generation Law Student Mentorship

Problem Statement

BIPOC/first-generation law students in the Twin Cities need additional access to mentorship opportunities and practical services so that they can get in positions of power in the legal industry.

Target Group

Aspiring and current BIPOC/first-generation law students.

Proposed Solution

The short-term solution is to provide mentorship and practical services to our target group.  The resources we invest in the target group through the short-term solution will lead to our long-term goal of increasing BIPOC/first-generation law students in positions of power in the legal industry in the Twin Cities.

Hub Activities

• 02/2022:  Reach out to undergrad programs (pre-law associations, career centers, etc.), current law associations (law school affinity groups), and relevant organizations (TCDIP, HCBA, MNCBAC)


• 03/2022: Develop 2 timelines for aspiring law students and current law student


• 04/2022: Develop workshops for aspiring law students and current law students.

For aspiring law students - LSAT prep and application process

For current law students - Maximizing networking and summer internships

• 05/2022: Recruitment of mentees


• 06/2022 to 07/2022: Networking event


• 08/2022: Workshops

Aspiring law students - application and strategy development.

Current law students - on-campus interview preparation

• 09/2022 to 12/2022: One-on-ones

Aspiring law students - applications

Current 1L students - TCDIP, HCBA, other opportunities

Current 2L students - interviews and networking

By 2023:

• Increase number of target group applicants and in law schools


• Increase number of target group applicants and in legal summer internship positions


• Create a pay-it-forward pipeline of project beneficiaries with future generation of aspiring lawyers

Short & Long-Term Goals/Results

Short-Term: Our short term goal is to provide mentorship and services to our target group, including:

• Services relating to career development - review/edit resume, cover letters, intro emails, edit emails, personal statements, workshops about specific topics, ghost author rec letters.


• Career mentorship - short term goals, long term growth planning, networking, academic planning, financial growth


• Informal mentorship - life advice, growing friendships, cultural exchange, food

Long-Term: The lack of access to resources can have a cumulative negative effect, especially for BIPOC/first-gen community.  By providing crucial information and services to our target group, we hope to place BIPOC/first-gen. law students onto successful career paths that will lead into positions of power in the legal industry in the Twin Cities.

Available Metrics

What are the Measurements of Success (MoS)?

• Increase percentage of BIPOC/first-gen law students 

What are the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure the MoS are on track?

• Number of BIPOC/first-gen law students and applicants (historical data set gathered by organizations like TCDIP, HCBA, MNCBAC)


• Number of target group individuals in  project who achieve law school admissions or job placement.


• Number of target group individuals who achieve individual’s goals and terms of “success” (i.e. mentee creates their own set of short-term and long-term goals). → Each individual will receive their own goal chart and develop their own KPIs.


• Number of returning individuals for additional help.

Collaborators

Pre-law associations, CLUES, MNCBAC, Affinity Bar Associations, all law schools in MN, DFC college, debate organizations

For more information: https://www.globalshapers.org/hubs/minneapolis-hub