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IDEAL Pipeline Program

Increasing Diversity in Education and the Law

Law School IDEAL Pipeline Program Courtroom 975x375

Fordham School of Law continues to monitor the quickly-evolving global health pandemic COVID-19. Given the uncertainties around the virus and the current climate, the IDEAL program will not be welcoming a 2020 cohort. We are committed to increasing diversity in the legal profession and are hopeful that we can welcome a new cohort of students next year.

The Program

"Fordham Law School’s Increasing Diversity in Education and the Law (IDEAL) is a pipeline program that identifies motivated and talented underrepresented students in the New York City area and exposes them to the many facets of the legal profession. With this initiative, we are embracing our responsibility to increase diversity in the legal profession. If our legal system is to provide equal justice, it must provide equal opportunity to become a lawyer.”

—Dean Matthew Diller, Fordham Law School

Our Mission

The IDEAL program seeks to engage college students who are interested in pursuing a law degree or who have an interest in the law. Through the program we seek to address issues relating to disadvantaged and underrepresented individuals in law school and the increasing need for racial and socioeconomic diversity in the legal profession. In collaboration with Fordham University and the CUNY network as a minority serving institution of higher education IDEAL identifies promising students and exposes them to a rich and dynamic educational curriculum that begins the sophomore year and culminates with graduation from their undergraduate institution. IDEAL offers the participating students early exposure to the study and practice of law and through the program, seeks to afford participants the opportunity to learn about and attend law school and to become leaders on a variety of issues that impact the legal profession such as issues of racial, economic, and social justice. Participants in the IDEAL program will receive the tools and the opportunity to learn about law school and the profession of law. We will prepare participants for the law school application process and for the challenges of law school.

Law School IDEAL Program The Experience

The Experience

Summer Following Sophomore Year

IDEAL students

  • Enroll in and complete Fordham’s Pre-Law Institute
  • Work with writing fellows to develop legal writing skills
  • Meet with N.Y.C. legislators and officials to develop an understanding of local law and issues

Junior Year

  • Participate in the CLEO Jumpstart LSAT program at Fordham
  • Students will attend diversity related programming and special events put on by Fordham Law School student organizations.
  • Travel to Albany, N.Y. to meet with legislators, legislative staff, administrative agency staff, and judges (costs covered by the program)

Summer following Junior year:

  • Students will be placed in selected legal internships that reflect their interest and will work alongside mentoring attorneys in a practical setting. Internship placements include:
    • Public interest organizations
    • Judges
    • NYC Law Firms
  • Students will participate in professional development workshops featuring speakers from the legal community and Fordham Law School network.

Senior Year

  • Attend information session hosted by Fordham Law School Admissions Staff
  • Students will meet and develop relationshipss with alumni mentors
  • Travel to Washington, D.C., to visit U .S. Supreme Court

Summer following Senior year:

  • Students will again be placed in selected legal internships that reflect their interest and will work alongside mentoring attorneys in a practical setting to gain an alternate practical experience. Internships will include placements with:
    • Public interest organizations
    • Judges
    • NYC Law Firms
  • Students will participate in professional development workshops featuring speakers from the legal community and Fordham Law School network.

FLS Ideal Program Vanella Douglas 240x240I speak for all of the students of this cohort when I say that Fordham Law has been the highlight of our year and the best investment of our careers. This program has allowed us to develop a new set of skills and an understanding that is essential to our professional development. 

Vanella Douglas
IDEAL program participant, CUNY — New York City College of Technology, Class of 2021
 

IDEAL Program

Fordham University School of Law
150 West 62nd Street
New York, NY 10023

For more information:

Email: jhaastrup@fordham.edu