For 30 years, JTB has been dedicated to developing and nurturing interest in the law among young persons from socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds underrepresented in the legal profession. Our pipeline programs are 100% free and provide JTB Scholars with opportunities that support their academic growth and legal aspirations.
Scholar Programs
Scholar Programs light a spark of excitement and curiosity about the law in middle and high school students:
Summer Legal Institute, or “SLI,” is JTB’s cornerstone youth program. During this one-week legal immersion program, scholars participate in interactive, legal-focused activities that enhance their reading, writing, critical thinking, professional etiquette, financial literacy and public speaking skills.
Middle School Law Camp, a junior version of our SLI, is a fun, educational and interactive experience that provides 6th, 7th and 8th grade Scholars with an introduction to careers in law, the opportunity to build legal and professional skills, and connections with judges, lawyers, and other leaders in the legal profession.
iLead Law & Leadership Conference, a one-day workshop focusing on law and leadership skills with high school students.
Supreme Court Day, an annual event that takes selected Scholars to the United States Supreme Court for a tour and the opportunity to meet a Supreme Court Justice.
Courtroom in the Classroom, monthly classroom visits that provide Scholars with an opportunity to assimilate a mock trial, from inception to verdict, and all legal preparation; discourse, and final decision making.
Judicial Jumpstart, a one-day program that provides Middle and High school students an opportunity to join JTB for a day in Federal Court where they witness a live court proceeding and discover all the duties of a U.S. Marshal!
ConnectED (Virtual), presented through our new learning platform, JTB University, is a virtual version of our week-long legal immersion program. Scholars participate in interactive, legal-focused activities that enhance their reading, writing, critical thinking, professional etiquette, financial literacy, and public speaking skills. With a mix of video, live, and webinar presentations, ConnectedED is a unique learning experience facilitated by JTB programming staff, volunteers from corporations, law firms, and courtrooms who actively engage with JTB Scholars.
JTB Scholar Prep (Virtual) is a series of courses through JTB University that introduces students to the legal field and provides information on how to prepare for a professional career while in high school. Students work on college readiness, learn about different areas of the law, and hear from various professionals within the legal field.
JTB Mentorship Program (Virtual) partners with selected high schoolers and current law students. JTB mentors provide general and educational motivation, guidance, and support. As mentors, these law students are excited to share their journeys to the legal field. In addition to helping their mentees learn more about the legal profession, the JTB mentors provide general and educational motivation, guidance, and support. Through monthly programming, students learn invaluable skills that will help them succeed through high school, college, and beyond.
Leader Programs
Leader Programs provide underrepresented undergraduate and law students with access to career-building opportunities:
Ready. Set. Law. helps undergrads prepare for the law school admissions process, explore the skills required to succeed in law school, and gain exposure to legal career paths. The program includes a law school tour, admissions presentation by law school faculty, the opportunity to audit part of a 1L course, panel hosted by campus affinity group leaders; and networking luncheon or reception with volunteer attorneys and law school alumni.
Jumpstart is an annual preparation program designed to help Chicago- area law students develop the academic and inter-personal skills to navigate law school and become successful legal professionals.
Summer Judicial Internship Diversity Project is a collaboration between JTB and the Judicial Resources Committee of the United Stated Judicial Conference. National in scope, SJID has placed over 400 judicial interns from underrepresented backgrounds in federal appellate, district, bankruptcy, magistrate, and select state appellate judges’ chambers since 2010.
Share The Wealth, a referral program run by federal judges, provides law students and recent graduates with the opportunity to interview with multiple judges at one time for a highly selective federal judicial clerkship. Share the Wealth has placed over 100 diverse students in judicial clerkships since 2001.
Law School 101 (Virtual) exposes undergrads to the various legal career paths and helps them navigate the law school process. Topics include problem solving, critical thinking, research and analysis; legal career pathways; interview and resume skills; internships; and public service and promotion of justice.