PROGRAM FEATURES


Wednesday, November 15

HBCU/HACU Workshop:
This is a workshop sponsored by Law Services for pre-law advisors at Historically Black Colleges & Universities and colleges and universities that are members of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Interested parties should contact Kent Lollis (215) 968-1227 or klollis@lsac.org) Thursday, November 16

Newcomers' Workshop (1:00-4:00):
Staffed by seasoned pre-law advisors, admissions professionals and Law School Admission Council personnel, this pre-conference session is designed for those who are relatively new (two years or less) to prelaw advising. This workshop will get you up and running with the most current information and resources. There is no additional cost for this workshop. California Exposure (1:00-4:00):
This is an opportunity for prelaw advisors from all over the country to hear about California law schools. All 19 California law schools will make presentations explaining the special features of their programs and why we should encourage our students to "go west."
1:00 - 2:00 pm 2:00 - 3:00 pm 3:00 - 4:00 pm APLA/LSAC Leadership Workshop (1:00-4:00):
This seminar focuses on developing and training leaders within the APLA's. The workshop will give interested prelaw advisors the opportunity to understand how their own APLA works, how the APLA's interact with one another, and how PLANC works. Each APLA is invited to send three people: the president, a seasoned APLA leader and a person interested in becoming an APLA leader. Emphases will be placed on organizational development and the future of our profession. News from Newtown (4:15-5:30):
This session is a familiar and important staple of virtually all Apla programs. This is where we will learn about the potential changes in the LSAT, what's up with financing a legal education, what new publications and videos are available for our use. We will also discuss the letter of recommendation service and more. Friday, November 17

What Can I do with my Law Degree? (Fri., Nov. 17: 9:45-11:15) This panel will discuss career paths that are alternatives to the images that students get from watching shows like "The Practice," and "Law & Order."
Moderator: Joseph B. Conboy, Texas Tech University School of Law Palelists: Roger Handberg, U. of Central Florida
V. Markham Lester, Birmingham-Southern College
Mary Lynn Neuhaus, Loras College Luddites Beware!! Technology and the Pre-Law Advisor (Fri., Nov. 17: 9:45-11:15) Learn to utilize technology to serve your students, regardless of how technically challenged you are. Specific techniques and tools will be presented.
Moderator: Palelists:
J. Joseph Burns, Boston College
Jim L. Riley, Regis University
Karen W. Severn, Texas A&M University
Martin Sommerness, N. Arizona University The $$$ and Sense of Financial Aid (Fri., Nov. 17: 9:45-11:15) Learn about the borrowing processes, the role of credit, repayment options, the true cost of borrowing, and the impact of debt on job choice.
Moderator: Eileen Crane, Brigham Young University Panelists:
Vivian Bowden, Vice-President of School Services,The Access Group
Tom Raemaker, Account Executive, The Access Group
Stanley E. Clark, California St. Univ., Bakersfield Affirmative Action: New Challenges, New Solutions (Fri., Nov. 17: 9:45-11:15) This panel will discuss some of the current programs being used at undergraduate institutions to prepare minority students for both the admissions process and for the rigors of a legal education in the context of the on-going debate about affirmative action.
Moderator: Theodore R. Mosch, U. of Tennessee-Martin Panelists: Jonathan Lurie, Rutgers University
Linda Lopez, Chapman University
Abraham L. Davis, Morehouse College
Robert Webking, U. of Texas El Paso Ethical Principles of Pre-law Advising (Fri., Nov. 17: 9:45-11:15) What are the ethical issues that arise as pre-law advisors help students through the admissions process? Where are the lines that we all should be wary of crossing? Should we adopt a statement of good prelaw advising practices?
Moderator:
Anne Brandt, Assoc. Executive Director, Law School Admissions Council Panelists:
Robert Saltzman, Assoc. Dean, U. of Southern California School of Law
Heather Struck, SUNY-Binghamton New Directions in Pre-Law Studies (Fri., Nov. 17, 9:45-11:15). Panelists will discuss non-traditional approaches to pre-law education, including jurisprudence at the undergraduate level, multi-disciplinary pre-law offerings and writing-intensive majors such as journalism.
Moderator:
Rodney A. Grunes, Centenary College Panelists:
Ruth-Ellen Post, River College
John P. Forren, Miami (Ohio) University
Andrew Utterback, N. Arizona University
Melinda D. Hawley, U. of Georgia
Pauline M. Harrington, Bridgewater State Univ.
 Pre-Law Aids & Support Groups (Friday, Nov. 17, 9:45-11:15) This panel explores and discusses how to best organize, develop and utilize various aids and supports, including internships, cooperative education, pre-law clubs, various publications and pre-law guides.
Moderator:
Michael Principe, William Paterson Univ. Panelists:
Arthur Marinelli, Ohio University
Elizabeth Swenson, John Carroll University
William Wray, Northeastern University The LSAT and Diversity: New Models (Fri., Nov. 17: 1:30-3:00) Law Services published "New Models to Assure Diversity, Fairness and Appropriate Test Use in Law School Admissions" in December, 1999. This panel will examine and evaluate the alternative models suggested by this publication, which was mailed to all prelaw advisors. Moderator:
Beth Cobb O'Neil Panelists: Alicia Cramer, Director of Admissions, S. Texas College of Law
Judy Fischer, Colgate University
Kent Syverud, Vanderbilt Law School Pre-Law Curricula: Quo Vadis?(Fri., Nov. 17: 1:30-3:00) This panel will explore options for a new kind of pre-law curriculum. Successful attorneys and law school deans will discuss the use of particular courses (e.g., theory) in pre-law studies, and discuss the contributions of pre-law clubs and seminars.
Moderator: Eileen Crane, Brigham Young University Panelists:
Dean Charles W. Goldner, Univ. of Ark. at Little Rock
Shelly K. Bunge, Sony Pictures Music Group
Marsha Yowell, N. Arizona University
Jack Fruchtman, Jr., Towson University
Leonard Cutler, Siena College Mock Admissions (Fri., Nov. 17: 1:30-3:00) This participatory workshop will help prelaw advisors acquire an accurate understanding of what really goes on behind admission committee's doors by tracking some hypothetical candidates through the decision process.
Moderator: Dr. Mel Hailey, Abilene Christian University Panelists:
Martin I. Edwards, U. of North Florida
Sam W. McKinstry, E. Tennessee St. University
Melanie Nutt, Wake Forest School of Law
Shelli Soto, U. of Texas School of Law
Julia Yaffee, Santa Clara University School of Law Issues in Minority Advising (Fri., Nov. 17: 1:30-3:00) This panel will address a variety of issues relating to minority advising and law school preparation. Moderator: Joyce Hicks, Central Carolina Technical College Panelists: Nola Allen, U. of S. Alabama
Charles Holmes, Tougaloo College
Francis Graham Lee, St. Joseph's University Applicant Misconduct (Fri., Nov. 17: 1:30-3:00) This interactive and role-playing session will provide pre-law advisors with practical guidance in helping students avoid the most common behaviors that result in findings of misconduct in the admission process.
Rob Saltzman, Assoc. Dean, USC School of Law and Chair of the LSAC Subcommittee on Misconduct and Irregularities
Jude Hetrick, Member, LSAC Subcommittee on Misconduct and Irregularities
Arthur H. Martel, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
David Pallozzi, Villanova University
Karen Britton, University of Tennessee Advice for Writing Personal Statements (Fri., Nov. 17: 3:30-5:00) The personal statement is an important part of each application. Experienced prelaw advisors will discuss what they say to their students and admission representatives will share their insights into what works and what does not.
Moderator:
Dom DeLeo, Boston College Panelists:
Janet L. Bolin, Washington University School of Law
Richard W. Burgh, Rider University
Fredi G. Miller, U. of Pittsburgh School of Law
Mary Catherine Savage, Johns Hopkins University
William Kitchin, Loyola College, Baltimore Mock Trial and Moot Court Programs: Education in the "Courtroom" (Fri., Nov. 17, 3:30-5:00) This panel will examine the usefulness of the Mock Trial and Moot Court programs as tools for prepararing prelaw students for Law School. Moderator: Erwin Erharadt, Thomas More College Panelists: Helen Ridley, Kennisaw State, GA
Don Racheter, Central College, Iowa
Donald Gregory, Stephen F. Austin State University, TX
Frank Guliuzza, Weber St. University The American Disability Act & Pre-Law Advising (Fri., Nov. 17, 3:30-5:00) With more students being diagnosed as disabled, it is important that we understand all of the issues related to advising this student population. What are the procedures for diagnosing disabilities, what accommodations are available for students with disabilities and what are the rights and limitations of students with disabilities? These questions and more will be answered at this important session.
Moderator: Rick Poland, Flagler College Panelists:
Joan Van Tol, Corporate Counsel, Law School Admissions Council
Robert Saltzman, Assoc. Dean of Students, University of S. California School of Law
Robby Gimlet, Director of Disability Services, U. of California at San Diego
Dawn V. Kakumba, U. of Albany Law School Professors Speak Out (Fri., Nov. 17: 3:30-5:00) A panel of law professors will discuss the challenges that they face as they attempt to shape a legal educational experience that meets the changing needs of the profession, but which is also tailored to the expectations of today's students.
Moderator: Ann Wrigley, Ohio St. Univ. Panelists Thomas D. Barton, California Western School of Law
Jean Ramirez Montoya, U. of San Diego School of Law
Susan Westerberg Prager, Provost -- Dartmouth Univ.
 Preparing for the LSAT (Fri., Nov. 17: 3:30-5:00) This session offers insight into the world of LSAT prep courses. The panelists, each of whom have been involved in on-campus programs, will discuss alternatives to the commercial prep courses.
Moderator: Frank X.J. Homer, University of Scranton Panelists:
Roberta Alexander, U. of Dayton
Charles Fleener, St. Louis Univeristy
Patrick J. Kelly, Adelphi University
James Yoho, Wilkes University Guides and Locators: Helping Prelaw Students Decide Where to Apply (Fri., Nov. 17: 3:30-5:00) This panel will discuss how to use various tools when helping students decide where to apply. The panelists will examine the various guides, locaters and other available resources that every prelaw advisor will find helpful. Moderator: Gerald Wilson, Duke University Panelists: J. Joseph Burns, Boston College
Leo Flynn, Pomona College
Ava P. Preacher, U. of Notre Dame
Edward M. Stern, Boston University
James Calvi, W. Texas A&M University Saturday, November 18

Plenary Session (9:00-10:00)
This is the "vision" session for the conference. What changes of degree and kind are likely to manifest themselves in the next few years? What will the program for the quadrennial conference in 2020 look like? Indeed, will there be such a conference or will technology have replaced all of us? Four of the most distinguished individuals representing academic and counseling pre-law advisors, Law Services and the admissions professionals will bring their considerable wisdom to bear on these and other questions.
Moderator: J. L. Polinard, U. of Texas Pan American Panelists:
Carol Wright, Lafayette College
Anne Brandt, Law School Admissions Council
Edward Tom, U. of California at Berkeley School of Law
Gerald Wilson, Duke University Handling Letters of Recommendation (Sat., Nov. 18: 10:15-11:30) Good letters can make, and bad letters can break, many law school applications. Pre-law advisors will discuss how they advise their students and how they approach the task of writing a letter for an applicant. Law school representatives will then share their view of what works and what doesn't.
Moderator: Don Aiesi, Furman University Panelists: Roger Bacon, N. Arizona University
Gail N. Ellis, Suffolk University School of Law
Robert V. Stanek, George Washington School of Law
Marilyn Tayler, Montclair State University Law School Rankings (Sat. Nov. 18: 10:15-ll:45) Prelaw advisors who want to mitigate the negative effects of law school rankings will hear both from those who produce the rankings and from those who find them problematic.
Moderator:
Mary Schilling, The College of William & Mary
 Panelists:
U.S. News & World Report Representative
Brian Leiter, U. of Texas at Austin
Carl Monk, Executive Director, AALS
Freddi Miller, U. of Pittsburgh School of Law
PLA Respondent Web Page Advising (Sat., Nov. 18: 10:15-11:45) Computer savvy students get most of their information from the web. Are you using the web to provide your students with accurate and timely advise? This session will provide concrete help for those who want to use the web to their best advantage.
Moderator: Dom DeLeo, Boston College Panelists: Peter Baxter, Niagara University
Nim Batchelor, Elon College
Steve Frank, St. Cloud St. University
Steve Meinhold, U. of N. Carolina-Wilmington
Dennis Gleiber, U. of New Orleans
Karen Wittkopp, U. of Michigan Glass Ceilings: Women Lawyers Speak Out (Sat., Nov. 18, 10:15-ll:45) Women in the profession share anecdotes about their glass ceiling experiences, bring a collective perspective to the discussion, and offer interesting insights and advice to prelaw advisors.
Moderator: Kathy Wright, Stanford Univ. Pandlists: Kay Chandler, JD, Cooley Godward LLP
Kathryn Horning, JD, Allen Matkins Leck Gamble & Mallory
Annemarie Kaiser, JD, Knobbe, Martin, Olsen & Bear
Jennifer Kearns, JD, Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison Financial Incentives in the Admissions Process (Sat., Nov. 18: 10:15-11:45) Recent demographic stresses have caused law schools offer greater numbers of scholarships to attractive students. Panelists in this session will discuss the role that money plays in the recruitment process.
Moderator: Eileen Crane, Brigham Young University Panelists:
Stephen G. Brown, Director of Financial Aid, New York Univeristy
Reyes Aguilar, Asso. Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, U. of Utah College of Law
Barbara Andelman, Asst. Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Case Western Reserve University Issues & Challenges Within the Legal Employment Market (Sat., Nov. 18: 10:15-11:45) Representatives from NALP (the National Association for Law Placement) will describe the challenges that today's law students will face as they enter the 21st century work force. Preparing for a legal career today requires that special attention be paid to the demands of the contemporary legal scene. The panel will provide salary statistics and other concerns.
Gina Rowsam, NALP Liasion to PLANC, Oklahoma City Univ. School of Law
Gina Sauer, President of NALP, William Mitchell College of Law
Paula Patton, Executive Director of NALP