California Lawyers Association

INAUGURAL CLPC SYMPOSIUM HOSTED BY UC Law SAN FRANCISCO

The inaugural California Legal Pathways Collaborative Symposium (CLPC) successfully highlighted law academy teaching teams, advisory councils and student scholarship.  CLPC, the California Lawyers Foundation’s pathway pipeline project, turned 1 year old during this Symposium.  Although the High School Law Academy project started in 2010 in a partnership with the State Bar of California and the California Department of Education, the high school academies (2016-2023) had been a component of the California LAW Pathway that connected the high school pipeline through the community college to undergrad and law school.   Also created through the State Bar’s Council on Access and Fairness, it was housed at the Foundation for Community Colleges and its focus was the community college pathway.  CalLAW is still alive and well and continues to include the high school law academies in its pathway project.

              As in the beginning of the law academy project, CLPC provides support for the law academy teaching teams and gives the 22 law academies direct access to the lawyers and bar associations through the California Lawyers Association and Foundation.   With an important goal of DIVERSITY EQUITY, INCLUSION and BELONGING, CLA and CLF fully supports the mission and vision of CLPC. 

              This Symposium was planned with 2 tracks.  The first was a primer on “Street Law”, the curriculum that is the basis for many of our schools, with Cathy Ruffing, a Senior Director with Washington DC-based Street Law, Inc. bringing her master skills in Professional Development to our teachers.  Chris Voisin, law teacher at McClatchy High School, stated, “This is the best professional development program on law that I have attended.”  This is high praise coming from a former lawyer himself.  The second track was for district and school administrators, law coordinators and advisory council chairs.  As many of the leaders were relatively new, the history of the high school project and its goals were important to share. 

District and school administrators play an important role in the success of academies.  Our high school experts team brought the legal profession and administrators together in best practices to build thriving academies, even in tough times.  Districts interested in building their own law academies were also present, and a primer on How to Start your Own Law Academy gave a Reader’s Digest version of the necessary steps.

              Our keynote speakers inspired and motivated us to continue the work of preparing the next generation of diverse lawyers.  Associate Supreme Court Justice Martin Jenkins shared is very personal story of his life and but for a dedicated teacher, he would not be standing in front of us sharing his journey.  Anna Mercado Clark, President of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, gave the audience important reasons to build a diverse profession and how important their roles are for every student they touch.

              The highlight of the evening were the Awards and Scholarships presented.  They were as follows:

              Ruthe Ashley Scholarship Awardees:

              Angellina Querol, Jesse Bethel High Law Academy (2020) UC Santa Barbara (2024)

              Princess Leon, Roosevelt Law and Public Service Magnet (2024)

              Pedro Ruiz, Richmond High Law Academy (2024) Sponsored by LSAC

              Alison Hwang, Eldorado High Law Academy (2024) Sponsored by Fastcase

              Excellence in Leadership:  Judge Elizabeth G Macias, Santa Ana Legal Studies Academy

              Excellence in Teaching:  Allen Mooney, Richmond Law Academy

Trailblazers:  Our first six law academies which were:

              Florin High School Law and the World (LAW) Academy – Elk Grove, CA

              McClatchy High Law and Public Policy Academy – Sacramento, CA

              DeAnza High Law Academy – Richmond, CA

              Crawford High Law Academy – San Diego, CA

              Cabrillo High Academy of Law and Justice – Long Beach, CA

              Wilson Law Magnet – Los Angeles, CA

Chair of the Summit Planning committee, the Honorable Fumi Wasserman stated: “It was affirming that so many of our teachers shared how much they appreciated the training from Street Law.  We were all inspired and motivated to continue the work with our high school students to help them learn about our justice system and explore careers in the law.”  Submitted by Ruthe C. Ashley, Chair CLPC

Symposium attendees group photos

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