Wiley Rein Hosts 14th Annual “Law Day” for Thurgood Marshall Academy Students

July 15, 2016

Washington, DC—Wiley Rein hosted its annual Summer Law Day event today for students from Thurgood Marshall Academy, a public charter high school in Washington that emphasizes elements of law and justice throughout its curriculum. During the firm’s 14-year partnership with the school, nearly 1,300 students have participated in the Law Day program.

Fifteen Wiley Rein lawyers, summer associates, and a legal assistant served as faculty members and volunteers for nearly 85 rising ninth grade students who gathered at the firm’s Washington headquarters. The half-day workshop educates students on basic legal principles and features a case study, as well as a mock trial. The program helps students hone their critical thinking skills, develop public speaking techniques, and practice ways of respectfully responding in an argument.

“We’re very proud to host students from Thurgood Marshall Academy for 14 years running,” said Wiley Rein partner Laura A. Foggan, who leads the Law Day initiative. “This is one of the most exciting days of year for us—it’s an opportunity to share the real-life experience of being a lawyer with inspiring and bright students from the DC area. We hope the students enjoy the experience as much as we do.”

The firm’s participation was included in a 2015 feature article in Politico Magazine about Thurgood Marshall Academy and the charter school movement.

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 of Columbia’s first law-themed public charter high school, the academy’s mission is to prepare students to succeed in college and to actively engage in our democratic society.