(The 2018 Richardson Law & Justice Summer program participants)
Overview of Program
The Richardson Law & Justice Summer Program is an intensive one-week summer program for high school students interested in justice, the law, and legally related professions. The purpose of the Richardson Law & Justice Summer Program is to introduce high school students to issues of law and justice; build students’ skills in discussion, research, debate, analysis, and advocacy; and provide tools and inspiration to become active and involved citizens of their communities.
During the Law & Justice Program, the participants engaged in a variety of law-related educational activities including:
- Preparing for and taking part in a mock trial.
- Organizing arguments for clarity and rhetorical effectiveness.
- Discussing how context, history, and civic responsibility inform legal decision-making.
- Learning about law school and the law school admissions process.
- Attending classes taught by Law School faculty on subjects such as Criminal Justice, Constitutional Law, and Native Hawaiian Right.
- Watching a trial.
- Visiting the Hawaii Supreme Court and meeting several of the Justices and their judicial clerks.
- Having lunch with attorneys and staff with a law firm downtown.
- Touring the State Capitol and meeting with legislators and Governor Ige.
One of the goals of the program is to increase interest in law school and legally-related careers among young people who come from backgrounds and populations that are traditionally underrepresented among attorneys, judges, and political decision-makers. Thanks to the generous support of the Hawaii State Bar Foundation, SEED and the William S. Richardson School of Law, the Richardson Law & Justice Summer Program is provided at no cost to all participants. The primary expenses associated with the program are for transportation to and from the Law School and for breakfast and lunch for participants each day.
