On Friday, November 8th, UCLI held its annual Pre-Law Symposium, drawing around 100 students from across the state to Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School for a day of inspiration, learning, and connection. The symposium aimed to provide students with valuable insights into beginning a legal career, including navigating the application process, preparing for the LSAT, accessing funding opportunities, and hearing from practicing attorneys. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to BYU Law for hosting this impactful event and to the many attorneys, professionals, and volunteers who made it an exceptional learning experience for aspiring legal professionals.
The day began with a delicious kolache breakfast and numerous networking opportunities, with representatives from the University of Utah’s S. J. Quinney College of Law, AccessLex, the Utah State Bar, and ACE Test Prep. Barbara Melendez, Director of Belonging at BYU Law, then opened the symposium with powerful remarks about the legal profession. “Law is more than a career; it’s a privilege,” she counseled the students. She emphasized the pressing need for diverse perspectives in the legal field, inspiring attendees to see their unique backgrounds as strengths.
A panel discussion on preparing for law school followed, led by Dean Anthony Grover, Dean of Admissions at BYU Law, and Director Isabel Moreno, Director of Admissions at the University of Utah Law. The admissions leaders offered practical advice and encouragement, with Director Moreno reminding students, “There’s a law school for everyone!”
The symposium also featured insights from five attorneys from diverse backgrounds, including Wayne Latu of Quinn Emmanuel, Jiro Johnson of Salt Lake Legal Defenders, Lisa Bohman of BYU Legal Counsel, and Grace Acosta of Trujillo Acosta Law. The panel shared candid advice about the realities of practicing law. Grace Acosta provided a memorable moment, quipping, “You come over to my house, you’ll think—that’s a nice house, that’s a nice car—but you need to know what it costs!”
The keynote address by Michalyn Steele, the Marion G. Romney Professor of Law at BYU, left a lasting impression on attendees. Drawing from her experiences as a Native American woman overcoming barriers in the legal profession, she encouraged students to persevere. “Other people will underestimate you,” she urged. “Don’t you be the one to clip your own wings. You have the audacity to hope—dare to dream.”
Throughout the day, students attended sessions tailored to their needs. Workshops included a lecture on financial resources for law school by Justin Zieman of AccessLex and an LSAT preparation session by Brent Dunn of ACE Test Prep. Students also participated in a mock law class taught by Professor Kif Augustine-Adams, gaining a taste of the law school experience. The day concluded with a panel of current law students from BYU and the University of Utah, who provided a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and rewards of law school life.
This year’s symposium set a new record for student registration and received overwhelmingly positive feedback. One student shared, “As a DACA recipient, I felt heard and hopeful about law school. I was unaware of the resources available for someone like me. I wish others knew about this.” Another noted, “I walked into the symposium today doubting my ability to pursue law school. However, after hearing the inspiring and motivational words from everyone, I feel that I can do my dream of law school.” A third attendee remarked, “[The symposium was] life-changing. It inspired me and also made me want to go to law school even more.”
This event’s success was made possible by the collective efforts of our community. We thank the dedicated speakers, attorneys, law students, and professionals who shared their time and wisdom, as well as each member of the planning committee. To the students who attended, thank you for bringing your enthusiasm and aspirations—we are honored to support your journeys and can’t wait to see the incredible impact you will make in the legal field. Finally, a warm thank you to this year’s sponsors who made this event possible:
Access Lex
Anderson & Karrenberg
Intellectual Property Section of the Utah State Bar
Maschoff Brennan
SF Firm
Stowell Crayk Ogden
Utah State Bar
