Top 10 Keys To Success In Law School (by Ken Neighbors and Sam Matchett).pdf

More Employers Screening Candidates via Social Networking Sites

"It isn't a disgrace not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach."

The ALDC aims to provide pre-law students the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills they can use to become successful STAR law students and attorneys. The ALDC provides annual scholarships helping students acquire LSAT preparation training, and assistance in: improving writing skills, chosing the right law school, how to apply to law school, and how to acquire financial aid in the law school application process. We also provide mentors (see below) who dispense their "hindsight" that will become a student's "foresight." Under the direction of Allegra Lawrence-Hardy (The ALDC's new President) and Ken Neighbors (our Future STAR Lawyer Chair), we plan to expand our efforts to include other pre-law organizations in the metro Atlanta area. As always, many thanks to Alvin H. Darden, Dean of Freshman, Gregory Hall, Professor of Political Science, and Kelly Blackburn Eccles, Director, Career Services for Non-Business Majors at Morehouse.

The ALDC is pleased to announce that Louis Deas, a Morehouse College Pre-Law student, Lakisha Favorite and Tunisia Busia, Pre-Law students of Spelman College, are recipients of the ALDC's, Spring 2010 "Future STAR Lawyer Program Scholarships. Thanks to Ken Neighbors, Chair of this Program, Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, President, ALDC, The ALDC Board of Directors, and Ms. Stacy Hornsby, for making this award a reality.

Congratulations Tunisa!

Congratulations to Marishonta Wikerson a Spelman College, Spanish Pre-Law major. "I was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. I spent last semester living/studying abroad in Seville,Spain and the summer before last in the Dominican Republic. I want to focus on International Law and someday start my own multicultural firm. I have aspirations of becoming a Supreme Court Justice and then the 1st African American woman Chief Supreme Court Justice."

Marishonta Wikerson Scholarship Competition Essay.doc

Congratulations to Brandon Riddle, a Junior and Political Science major at Morehouse College. From Cincinatti, OH, Mr. Riddle is an active leader for the National Society for Collegiate Studies, a campus Building Advocate for Habitat for Humanity, and a Frederick Douglas Institute Volunteer.

Learn More About Mr. Riddle and Read His Scholarship Competition Essay.doc

Left: Morehouse Senior, Lathaniel Kirts. Right: Morehouse Senior, Andrew Bradsher. Congratulations! Also, we welcome aboard Andrew as an ALDC Future STAR Lawyer Liaison Officer (and Renaldo Pearson).

Sam Matchett, ALDC President (left) and Ken Neighbors, Chair, Future STAR Lawyer Program convey "Ten Keys To Success In Law School" on September 24th at Morehouse College.

Leroy Mitchell (left), Staff Writer, The Maroon Tiger, and Renaldo Pearson, ALDC Future STAR Lawyer Program Liaison, and President, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Intl. Thanks to both gents for your written contributions.

ALDC Speaks To Future Leaders.pdf

Ken Neighbors: "To build on what Sam said earlier, don't give the selection committee a reason to eliminate you from competition. Don't bounce checks, watch your content on Facebook, Twitter and in e-mails. Don't torpedo your chances then with what you are doing now." For "Ten Keys To Success In Law School," including how to "Master Writing and Verbal Communication," see the attachment below.

Top 10 Keys To Success In Law School (by Ken Neighbors and Sam Matchett).pdf

"A history professor of mine had me read Supreme Court cases. Our lively discussions about those cases made me realize that I wanted to be a lawyer. Likewise, your personal statement can draw on some specific educational experience that may well distinguish you from other applicants."

Dr. George explains the hierarchical criteria of being accepted into law schools: GPA, LSAT, Letters of Recommendation, Personal Statements, and Accuracy on the Application. See the link below to learn more about the GSU College of Law Admissions Checklist, Past LSAT/GPA score Profiles, scholarships and much more. See also the document below for a few of Dr. Jester George's other practical keys to success. Many thanks Cheryl for your time and talent.

GSU College of Law Web Address

Full Story

Joel Peddle, Director, ALDC provides instruction to Spelman and Morehouse Pre-Law Students on diagraming premises in an argument, avoiding fallacies and noticing implicit assumptions in case studies.

Ken Neighbors, Future STAR Lawyer Chair and Partner, Greenberg Traurig LLP. "Make a decision now to practice excellence in college so you can one day practice law." March 24, 2009, Morehouse Pre-Law Assembly.

Sam Matchett, ALDC President. Partner, King & Spalding LLP. "As a graduate of Morehouse College, I would like to tell you a story...

On Left: Tiffany Mallory, Esq. Sutherland LLP and Brent Wilson, Partner, Elarbee Thompson, Sapp & Wilson LLP. While Brent fields questions, Tiffany discusses Sutherland's outstanding 2009 summer training event (spearheaded by Allegra Lawrence-Hardy) that helps pre-law students prepare for law school. Note: this program is for Juniors and Seniors. Learn more at: http://www.sutherlandscholars.com/.

Hindsight speaks "as foresight." Immediate right, Jeffrey L. Riddle, Esq. Managing Partner, Riddle & Schwartz LLC. Jeffrey conveys what is essential about making a mark in law as Brent Wilson, Tiffany Mallory, and Roy Hadley, Esq. Partner, Bryan Cave LLP, prepare to wield solid advice.

Building A Future. (Home of Alston & Bird LLP, ALDC Member Firm in Atlanta).

Brent Wilson, ALDC Board Member and Future STAR Lawyer Mentor, reaching out on March 24th, 2009.

Sam Matchett, President of the ALDC, answers questions.

Sam: "Think about this fact as you begin to construct your career in law..."

A Bell Weather of Integrity.

Ken Neighbors, Future STAR Lawyer Program Chair,and Femi Obadima, Future STAR Lawyer Mentor, respond to Morehouse and Spelman students on March 24.

With your support, a budding ALDC Future STAR Lawyer Campus

Special thanks to Roy Cogdell, ALDC Future STAR Lawyer Campus Officer and Vice President of the Morehouse Pre-Law Society. Roy has been a vital "cog" in establishing and administering our effort at both Morehouse and Spelman.

We are thankful to the following for their support: Alvin H. Darden, Dean of Freshmen, Stacey Hornsby, Esq. LSAT Preparation Instructor, Dr. Gregory Hall, Chairman, Department of Political Science, Harold Jordan, Esq. General Counsel, Morehouse School of Medicine, Michelle Reid, Esq. Interim General Counsel, Morehouse College.

Joel Peddle, Director, ALDC with students

The ALDC is pleased to offer pre-law students the opportunity to learn practical advice from our pool of STAR mentors. When contacting mentors, please be mindful of their busy schedules and ask prepared questions. Thank you.

The Forum 3290 Northside Parkway Suite 400 Atlanta, GA 30327. Phone: (678) 553-2180. NeighborsK@gtlaw.com. What are the three most rewarding aspects of practicing law? 1. The ability to effect social and other change from a policy-maker's perspective. 2. The enhanced ability to think through and find creative solutions for complex problems. 3. The choice of being an entrepreneur or an "intrapreneur" (that is, running your own practice within a large or mid-size firm).

Tiffany Mallory is a member of Sutherland’s Litigation Practice Group. Contact: tiffany.mallory@sutherland.com. P: 404.853.8138. What are the three most rewarding aspects of practicing law? 1. Realizing the great power, and in turn great responsibility, bestowed upon you as a member of the bar. 2. Working within the legal system to affect change for your clients, especially pro-bono matters where you can really make a marked difference in someone's life. 3. Finding a passion within the law that energizes you to consider and create novel ideas and new approaches under the law.

Roy.Hadley@bryancave.com.

Atlanta 3348 Peachtree Road, N.E. Suite 1100 Atlanta, Georgia 30326-1008 Telephone: (404) 233-0330 Fax: (404) 233-2361 Email: djmassie@littler.com.

303 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 5300, Atlanta, GA 30308. TEL: 404.527.8417. FAX: 404.527.4198. EMAIL: afouts@mckennalong.com.

smatchett@kslaw.com. Phone: (404) 572-2414

R. Javoyne Hicks White Chief Assistant District Attorney DeKalb District Attorney’s Office 556 N. McDonough Street Decatur, GA 30030. (404) 687-7115 (o). rjhickswhite@co.dekalb.ga.us.

Rogers Law Office 4047 Holcomb Bridge Rd Suite 201 Norcross, GA 30092. fobadina@gmail.com 770-685-6320

gail.reid@sutherland.com. P: 404.853.8167. Ms. Reid is a member of Sutherland’s Litigation Practice Group.

bwilson@elarbeethompson.com. (404) 582-8427. What are three of the most rewarding aspects of practicing law Mr. Wilson? 1. The ability to marshal facts to effect change. 2. Providing advice and counsel to clients to avoid litigation and resolve disputes. 3. The thrill of a hard fought battle.

The Sutherland Scholars is a summer program offered at no cost for students from historically black colleges and universities. Spearheaded by Sutherland partner and Diversity Committee Chair Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, the Sutherland Scholars program is an initiative to ensure the success of minority students in law school. Just three of thirteen classes: Overview of the Law School Curriculum; Basic Factors for Success in Law School; How to Prepare for Class. REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MAY 29TH!

Click here to learn more

The ALDC is grateful to Stacey Hornsby, J.D. for her professional assistance in providing AUC pre-law students top flight LSAT preparation training. If you wish to learn more, contact Ms. Hornsby at: lsattestprep@yahoo.com, or call: 404-483-1284. stacey.hornsby@lexisnexis.com.

A better writer is a better law school student. All pre-law students should take advantage of free on campus writing resources available at your school's English Department's writing labs. In addition to improving your writing skills, you may also wish to take advantage of professional writing tutors who can help you improve the clarity of your letters of application to law school and written scholarship submissions.

Writing Tutor, Angela Porter.pdf

In addition to providing annual Future STAR Lawyer Scholarships targeted to LSAT preparation, please see our Scholarship section on the ALDC website at:

http://www.aldcinc.org/home/scholarships.html

To join and support, please contact: Dwight Mitchell, President at: Dwightmitch313@yahoo.com, or Michelae Hobbs, Vice President at mhobbs22@gmail.com.

morehouse logo.jpg

To learn more about and take advantage of this venerable pre-law resource, contact: phialphadeltamc@gmail.com and please visit: www.pad.org.

This comprehensive website can help you with choosing and applying to law school. You can also obtain valuable information on financial costs and aid, LSAT dates, and much more.

Law School Admission Council Website

If you have questions, please contact: Joel Peddle, Director, ALDC at: www.aldcsuccess@gmail.com.

Tuesday, April 21st, Kilgore Center, Morehouse College. Question and Answer Crew: What Can the ALDC Do For You?

Chairman Neighbors, Chair, Future STAR Lawyer Program, Imparts Some Keys To Success In Law School. The three most rewarding aspects of practing are: 1. The ability to effect social and other change from a policy-maker's perspective. 2. The enhanced ability to think through and find creative solutions for complex problems. 3. The choice of being an entrepreneur or an "intrapreneur" (that is, running your own practice within a large or mid-size firm).

"Today's ALDC-Future Star Lawyer Meeting/Luncheon was a very insightful and inspiring program filled with great advice and direction. The personal testaments of the panel really helped show us the opportunities that are present in the field. I appreciate all the new sense of direction that I have received after attending the first two of these luncheons and will definitely be in attendance for whatever else the ALDC holds at Morehouse College. Thank you for allowing us to participate in such a beneficial program." Jonathan Wall, Morehouse College, Class of 2012.

Panelists (from right to left) Brent Wilson, Stacy Hornsby, Gail Reid, and Tennell Lockett enjoy a joke by Sam Matchett.

In a serious vein, Sam Matchett explains, "What I found critical to success in law school was learning to learn how to make logical connections, not merely memorizing the facts from a law school text."

From left to right: Michelle Reid, Marrissa Key, Kay Gauze.

Spelman College Pre-law student, Jessica Walker in foreground

Excerpt testimonial. "Mr. Peddle: I really appreciate you guys for coming out to Morehouse to recruit students from the A.U.C. to mentor. First of all let me say that I would really like to be a mentee. I was really impressed by the panel of lawyers on Tuesday. All of their comments were helpful, but Mrs. Hornsby's insight on student working conditions during law school was especially helpful for me. She made it clear that my level of success in law school will greatly effect internship and job placement opportunities. Engaging in anything that could potentially effect my performance would be a big mistake. This is very practical advice. Thanks again for coming." Tim Washington.

Duke Rose and cohorts

Ken Neighbors with Margarite Garner, ALDC Future STAR Lawyer Program Liaison Officer to Spelman College. Spelman students may contact Ms. Garner at: margaritegarner@yahoo.com.

Sam Matchett, President, ALDC, with Renaldo Pearson, ALDC Future STAR Lawyer Program Liason Officer and President, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Intl. Contact: renaldo.pearson@yahoo.com.

Mr. Matchett: I hope this message receives you well. I appreciate your advice at the event yesterday, April 21st. Your comment about "learning to learn" really hit home. I recently withdrew from American Constitutional Law. My main problem, just like you said, was memorization. I was using flash cards to memorize each case instead of understanding the connections. I will definitely apply this advice in law school. Thank you again for opening my eyes. Thanks, Kamilyah Sudderth History/Pre-Law Major.

In the case of Morehouse v. Howard, Saturday, October 17, 2009, the jury & judge ruled in favor of the Plaintiff (Mock Trial). Morehouse Defeats Howard!

Dr. Roger J. Cusick, Esq. Is the new Morehouse College Pre-Law Society Faculty Advisor. As a Professor of Political Science and former practicing attorney, Dr. Cusick brings valuable experience for pre-law students.

Mr. Neigbors is a Partner at Greenberg Traurig LLP who sponsored a fine buffet at our September 24th Guideposts event on the Morehouse College Campus. Thanks, Ken and Greenburg Traurig LLP for your sponsorship!

Dwight Mitchell, President (right), Michelae Hobbes, Vice President, listen attentively to ALDC Presenters on "Ten Keys To Success" in law school (September 24). Thank you Dwight and Michelae for your support.

Contact Information for Pre-Law Society Executive Board.doc

Scott Morris, Junior, Morehouse College takes note of Dr. George's advice on LSAT Preparation to "get into condition like an athlete training for a game." October 6, 2009