Wiley Rein Hosts "Law Day" for Area Students

July 17, 2009

Today, Wiley Rein, in conjunction with the DC Bar Courts’ Lawyers and the Administration of Justice Section, hosted a Summer Law Day event for students of the Thurgood Marshall Academy, a DC public charter high school focused on issues of justice and civil rights. Almost 100 rising ninth grade students gathered at the offices of Wiley Rein for a half-day workshop on basic legal principles.

Wiley Rein is a proud partner of Thurgood Marshall Academy and has supported Law Day for several years as part of its pro bono initiatives. This is the third year that the event has been hosted by the firm. Partner Laura A. Foggan, who coordinated the firm's Law Day initiative, commented, “As a volunteer faculty member for law day I feel that I learn as much as I teach every year.” About 30 enthusiastic volunteer lawyers and law students acted as faculty members for the law day program, which introduces the students to legal concepts through mock trials, round table discussions and interactive case studies. The program also helps students practice important skills, such as critical thinking and public speaking techniques.

Thurgood Marshall Academy was founded upon the belief — articulated by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall — that all children have the right to a first-class education and the opportunity to reach their full potential. As the District's first law-themed public charter high school, the school combines a comprehensive, standards-based curriculum with education about law, democracy and human rights and boasts a 100% college acceptance rate in every graduating class to date.