Three law related programs are creating a pipeline through which area students interact with mentors and begin to see themselves as future legal professionals.           

THE HIGH SCHOOL PIPELINE PROJECT is a partnership of the State Bar of Georgia Diversity Program, the Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys, and Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.  The objective of the 10 day free program is to improve the grammar, writing, and speech of high school students and to inspire them to consider law as a career.  The program provides mentoring sessions with attorneys and judges.  The 2008 group included 13 high school students and three college freshmen.  During the morning, students participated in academic courses and workshops including instruction on etiquette, image building, budget and credit management, the college application process, how to finance a college education, resume writing and interviewing skills. During the afternoons, the students visited law firms, corporations and the courts.   They also participated in the State Bar’s Journey through Justice Program where they assumed the roles of jurors, bailiffs, attorneys, and witnesses in a mock trial.  The program concluded with an oral and written competition.  The 2009 program will run May 26th– June 5th.  Interested persons can contact Marion Cover Dockery at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it            

IF YOU CAN SEE IT YOU CAN BE IT is an annual program approaching its third year, run by the Minorities in the Profession Committee of the State Bar of Georgia.  The purpose of the week long program is to expose elementary and middle school students to the legal profession.  Over 30 attorneys and law students worked with over 1200 students from the Metropolitan Atlanta area.  The program is the brainchild of Attorney Mawuli Davis.  It provides mentoring and interaction with attorneys enabling the students to create an image of themselves as lawyers and judges.  According to program co-director Marquetta Bryan, “It is never too early to encourage the youth in our communities to positively think about their futures.” Interested students or attorneys should inquire by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .            

THE JUSTICE BENHAM LAW CAMP, also approaching its third year of existence, is a three week camp that provides high school students exposure to members of the legal community.  The camp is a partnership of the Gate City Bar Association, Georgia State University College of Law, and Clark Atlanta University’s Educational Talent Search Program.  Campers are required to dress in professional attire each day, during which they participate in classes, mentoring sessions and preparation for the concluding mock trial competition.  The 2009 camp will be held June 5th-26^th.  Interested persons should inquire by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it