Pro Bono Project for the Memphis Bar Association
Memphis Bar Association Law Student Opportunity to earn Pro Bono Hours
Title: Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP) Research Assistant Date Updated: March 1, 2024
Estimated Pro Bono Hours Available: 15 to 20 hours (unsure of how long this will take)
Start Date: Immediately / Based on Availability
End Date: Through Completion
The Memphis Bar Association is a professional organization for attorneys in Memphis and the surrounding Midsouth area providing a place for lawyers to grow, connect and serve.
SLIP Summary:
In 2007, the Memphis Bar Association implemented the Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP) to develop and nurture an interest in the legal profession among young people from underrepresented groups. SLIP provides minority high school students in Shelby County the opportunity to experience the legal workplace of private law firms, corporate law divisions and government agencies. Interns are required to work a total of 60 hours during the summer program. The program has mentored 900 students as of 2023.
Objective:
• To determine which of the 900 graduating SLIP students to date have become lawyers. Focus will be on the 2007 through 2016 HS graduating classes (those eligible to have entered and/or graduated from law school by this time)
Responsibilities:
• Gather the past participants contact information, high school, parent contact info (provided by the MBA)
• Research avenues and opportunities to find students post high school graduation.
• Work through the MBA communications/marketing team to reach out through social media channels and MBA communication emails for inquiry.
• Contact parents, students, schools to find post-graduation avenue
• Research students through tbpr.org and other state bar organizations in the area.
• Reach out to known SLIP graduates that became lawyers to review the lists and see if they know of others.
• Compare list to UofM law school students
• Reach out to SLIP worksites to see if they know of any former interns that went to law school
• As currently practicing attorneys are located, capture contact information to include address, email, & phone number; law school attended and graduation year; current worksite location
Basic Qualifications:
• Comfortable with written communication to all audience levels
• Ability to work independently.
• Law student will need to utilize their personal computer, but access to all SLIP files will be provided
Interested students: please email MBA Executive Director MaryAnn Upchurch at maupchurch@memphisbar.org
