Tired of Zoom meetings? Running out of shows to binge-watch while on your couch? Join us as we Mask Up to raise funds for JTB’s programs that provide education, exposure, and connection to a wide variety of legal careers and leaders to young students. Our Halloween-themed escape room is the perfect way to connect with friends and colleagues near and far.
Buy tickets HERE.
JTB Scholar Prep
JTB Scholar Prep is a fun and educational virtual program designed to introduce high students to the legal field. Students will learn about the college admissions process, develop career readiness skills, and hear from various professionals within the legal field.
More information is available HERE.
College Essay Mentorship Project
The College Essay Mentorship Project will match high school seniors and juniors with a volunteer attorney who will help students edit their college entrance essay. Volunteers will also serve as a mentor, offering advice on the college application process and tips to help students navigate their path to and through university.
More information is available HERE.
JTB-APO is a multiracial, nonprofit organization that has served the legal community for nearly 25 years.
It is dedicated to developing and nurturing interest in the law among young persons from various socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds underrepresented in the legal profession and to supporting their continued advancement.
By acting as a continual advocate for diversity and higher education, JTB sustains a cycle of academic and professional achievement and role models for underserved communities with a high proportion of at-risk-students.
JTB-APO
Lighting the spark in the next generation of diverse lawyers and leaders.
JTB educates hundreds of students about the legal profession through our school-year programs and Summer Legal Institutes (SLIs) around the country. These programs are all provided completely free of charge to the students we serve.
History
Just the Beginning” began as a celebration of the Integration of the Federal Judiciary on September 19, 1992, in Chicago, IL. Today, Just The Beginning – A Pipeline Organization continues this mission by offering pipeline programs directly aimed at inspiring young students and increasing diversity in the legal profession and judiciary.
Programs
JTB offers free educational pipeline programming for students in middle school, high school and law school with a mission to increase the diversity in the legal profession.
Impact
JTB annually measures the impact of the Summer Legal Institute and other programs by providing pre and post surveys to scholars to gauge their experience and acquired skills. In 2019, 90% of our scholars were more interested in becoming a lawyer after completing the Summer Legal Institute and 74% described their experience as positive or very positive.
JTB programs help Scholars to develop their leadership skills while introducing them to careers in law. In 2019, 90% of our Summer Legal Institute Scholars were more interested in becoming a lawyer after the week-long immersion.
OUR VALUES
Exposure
We provide exposure to a wide variety of legal careers and leaders. We believe you can become what you can see.
Education
We provide resources and guidance in helping JTB Scholars build legal, professional, and leadership skills; they then employ these skills in legal environments. We believe you learn more when you do more.
Connection
We connect our Scholars with our extraordinary network, which includes: lawyers, judges, corporate partners, and JTB alumni who are committed to passing the torch by providing inspiration, encouragement, and support.
Together We Make The Difference
We Light the Spark in Tomorrow's Leaders!
"I miss JTB so much! It has been influential in the way I carry myself professionally. During the Summer Legal Institute I was able to gain more confidence in my public speaking and networking skills!"
-Samantha Samano, Summer Legal Institute Alumnae
