Just The Beginning - A Pipeline Organization Newsletter
We kicked off 2025 with an incredible start at the Richmond iLead Law & Leadership Conference! With 78 ambitious students in attendance, the day was packed with inspiring speakers, interactive sessions, and valuable insights into the legal field.
The day began with a guided tour of the John Marshall Center for Constitutional History & Civics led by Caroline Legros, where students explored the roots of constitutional law and the importance of civic education. This was followed by a powerful session on Navigating Law Through Civil Discourse with Larry Roberts, Director of the Sorensen Institute, who emphasized the role of respectful dialogue in addressing complex legal issues.
One of the highlights was the Journey to the Judiciary panel, featuring Judge Roger Gregory, Judge Doris Causey, and Judge Victoria Pearson. Their stories of perseverance and leadership captivated the audience, offering a firsthand look at the paths to becoming judges and the impact of judicial service.
Over lunch, students had the opportunity to hear from Paul Harris, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability and Compliance Officer at Huntington Ingalls Industries. His keynote on leadership and ethics in the legal profession provided both inspiration and practical advice for aspiring lawyers.
The afternoon was equally engaging, starting with Cookies & Conversations, where JTB volunteers facilitated discussions on career paths and the realities of law school. Dimitri Karles, Business Counsel at Capital One, led an insightful session on The Art of Negotiation, followed by an interactive negotiation exercise that put students' new skills to the test. The day concluded with a session on The Road to Law School, where JTB volunteers shared their personal journeys, offering tips on applications, surviving the first year, and finding mentorship.
A huge thank you to our amazing presenters, volunteers, and the John Marshall Center for hosting us. We can’t wait to see how these students take their first steps toward leadership in law! None of this would be possible without the support of our sponsors. Thank you!
Capital One
Dominion Energy
Gentry Locke
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
McGuireWoods LLP
Troutman Pepper
"My name is Ngolela wa Omekongo, and I am a first-year Honors student at American University studying Political Science and African Diaspora. Being raised in Southeast DC, I was constantly in direct proximity to individuals who were active advocates for their communities – both local and abroad – through a multitude of fashions but always in the spirit of collective empowerment, and this has inspired the work I’ve sought out to do. Thus, I am always looking for ways art and activism can intersect, which has led me to simultaneously create art to uplift my community and participate in opportunities such as an internship in Congressman Bennie Thompson’s Office on the Hill. This notion that I could combine multiple interests, or merge seemingly unrelated paths in the pursuit of holistic advocacy not only inspired my field of study, but encouraged me to then engage in the Just the Beginning Summer Legal Institute, an opportunity I had heard of from my father.
Ever since the Summer of 2024, I have grown to be so incredibly grateful for the JTB Organization. Not only was I able to both learn extensively on the field I intend to study, but I had the chance to be inspired by so many professionals, such as Ms. Misitura (Missy) Jeje and Attorney Ifenanya Agwu, both outstanding individuals passionate about educating others on what is possible and how to get there. We ended in participating in a juried mock trial, and I was honored to be asked to deliver one of the closing speeches at the ceremony which took place at the Holland & Knight law firm. During this same time, I had been asked to create art for an event celebrating the 64th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s independence, which made for a very interesting closing week to the program, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way, for this only affirmed that this was what I wanted to do with my life – explore multiple avenues by which to support and uplift my community and make a positive difference.
The experience taught me that my aspirations were attainable. This inspired me to later participate in a fellowship with the Transformative Justice Coalition in my first semester at AU, work with several organizations on campus geared toward advocacy and community uplift, and put into motion some exciting plans and projects. Overall, you can only stand to benefit from putting your best foot forward in this program, and I would greatly recommend subsequently maintaining the connections you form through it, because you never know which ones could surprise you, or even last a lifetime. For example, I am still in contact with many of the students and professionals I met through the program, and in my first academic semester, I met two of the founders of the first Black Student Union on our campus who had actually known the founder of JTB, and we all speak together often! Absolutely lean into your community, and always look for ways you can show up for – and invest in – it. Beyond this, make the most of whatever room you step into and have faith in your capabilities because you won’t know how far you can go until you push yourself."
Law School 101
This virtual program focuses on the law school experience for undergraduates interested in pursuing a legal career. Learn how to brief a case, discover the law school admissions process, and ask questions of practicing attorneys. Let us help you learn whether law is the right fit for you and help you navigate your path to and through law school.
May 6 - 8, 2025
Student Registration
Volunteer Registration
iLead Law & Leadership Conference
The iLead Law & Leadership Conference focuses on law and leadership skills for high school students. During the program, students will work with judges, lawyers, and leaders in the legal community who are committed to supporting their academic growth and legal career aspirations. Lunch, prizes, and program materials will be provided!
San Francisco, CA
June 10, 2025
Student Registration
Summer Legal Institute
