Law students network before the event begins

Law students network before the event begins

The Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association shook up its traditional monthly meeting format by kicking off the new year with a “law student look in” interactive discussion on Wednesday, January 15, 2014.  Nearly 50 attorneys and students came together for an exciting panel and exchange at the new Central Library downtown.  Board members Omar Passons of Stutz Artiano Shinoff & Holtz and Malcolm Roberts of Sullivan Hill Lewin Rez & Engel, joined a panel including attorneys Kim Carter of Carothers DiSante & Freudenberger,  Jason Whooper, a solo practitioner, and Leah Williams of UCSD  to offer perspectives on working with law students to build towards successful careers.  Also on the panel were third-year University of San Diego law students Racquel Raymond and Brad Muldrow and California Western students Sabira Abdulhameed and Brandon Frazier to offer perspectives about what their needs as students are and how attorneys can help.  “ I realized that one thing I could do to become a better mentee would be to reach out to more attorneys for support.  I’ve realized that the resources are there, I just need to utilize them.”

Panelists Jason Whooper, Leah Williams and Brad Muldrow provide insights from varying perspectives

Panelists Jason Whooper, Leah Williams and Brad Muldrow provide insights from varying perspectives

Said Kim Carter “I loved the advice to take students to speaking engagements. I’d never heard of that before and will definitely do so, as well as encourage others to do the same.”  The exchanges between students and attorneys were beneficial to both the attorneys and law students.  Jason Whooper added “I learned that I have so much farther to go to live up to my responsibility to the San Diego community, other attorneys, and people who want to become attorneys in the future.”

Participants at the first 2014 meeting engage with panelists

Participants at the first 2014 meeting engage with panelists

“The reason I chose to add a Law Student focused general meeting to our normal schedule was to be explicit that helping our BLSA students succeed in law school and become practicing attorneys in our community is a high priority,” said Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association President Omar Passons.   Passons added, “we have made a commitment to our students and this is one of the ways we are communicating that commitment.”  In February, the Association will return to its traditional format with a special professional development opportunity to help members be better managers and understand their talents.  Click here for details.