Can you recall how you felt before beginning law school? Did you worry about managing the rigorous class schedule and workload? Were you looking forward to meeting your professors and classmates? Or maybe you didn’t know what to expect.
Based on my conversations with incoming law students who participated in the 2025 Jumpstart Orientation, students today are feeling the same mixture of excitement and anxiety leading up to law school.
The Jumpstart Orientation, which was created by Judge Ann Claire Williams (Ret.), is a pre-law school program designed to prepare first-generation 1Ls attending Illinois law schools for law school and future legal careers.
Since 2013, the Commission on Professionalism has partnered with Illinois law schools to deliver the Jumpstart Orientation. The three-day program covers fundamental topics such as legal writing and analysis, networking, and finding personal and professional balance.
Ninety participants were selected by their law schools to participate in this year’s orientation, which took place virtually and in person from August 5 – 7.
On day two of the orientation, law students visited the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago to hear remarks from Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, as well as panel discussions with other federal judges and federal law clerks.
During the federal judges panel, Judge LaShonda A. Hunt, Judge Young B. Kim, Judge Nancy L. Maldonado, and Judge Mary M. Rowland discussed their paths to the bench and experiences in law school and as lawyers. Judge Hunt moderated the panel.
The judges provided countless pieces of valuable advice for the 1Ls, but the three following areas stuck out to me.
1. “You must be able to pivot.”
Judge Hunt said her curiosity for different parts of the law and growing family influenced her decision-making when it came to her career trajectory. She noted that prioritizing things that were important – her family and desire to learn – helped her assess when and how to successfully pivot in her career.
Judge Kim also shared details about how his professional pivots led to success and happiness in his legal career. He advised students that some career opportunities would be accidental and urged them to be open to this. He encouraged students to explore pathways they hadn’t previously considered, even if they were already working in their “dream job.”
2. “Create opportunities for yourself while building your brand.”
Judge Rowland shared a story of meeting a law student who declared that Judge Rowland needed an extern. The student said she was happy to fill this role.
Although Judge Rowland had never had an extern, she listened as the student pitched her skills and outlined what she could offer. The pitch was strong, and Judge Rowland decided to hire the student as her first extern.
Thanks to the student’s preparation and courage, she seized the moment, showcasing her personal brand and creating an important career opportunity.
3. “Find good mentors.”
Judge Maldonado said that to get the most out of a mentoring relationship, a mentee must ask their mentor for what they need.
This means really considering what you want to get out of a mentoring relationship and acting to make it happen, rather than waiting for unprompted guidance. Judge Maldonado emphasized that thoughtful questions could help open this dialogue.
For example, a mentee could ask their mentor for help in developing professional connections, advice on career pathways, or guidance on strategies for dealing with uncivil colleagues.
Judge Hunt added that good mentors don’t only seek to help others but also desire to learn from their mentees.
She said that her mentees help her to stay grounded and learn new skills (i.e., reverse mentoring), which is something we often hear from mentors in the Commission’s Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program as well.
Humanizing the law school journey
The sage advice offered by the federal judges was well-received, according to a feedback survey. One student shared, “The federal judges’ panel was insightful and humanized the process and journey of our law careers.”
The Jumpstart Orientation is ultimately designed to help incoming first-generation 1Ls feel that they belong in the legal profession by arming them with knowledge to feel confident and prepared.
We hope to have achieved that this year. According to our survey, 100% of participants said that they would encourage future 1Ls to apply to be part of Jumpstart next year.
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