On August 14, 2018, the CUA Law community welcomed new full-time and part-time students to the Law School. The students arrived for the start of a three-day orientation that was designed to make the transition to the life of a law student as smooth as possible.

The administration, faculty, and staff embraced the incoming first-year class, working hard to make sure that every student felt welcomed, comfortable, and oriented to their new surroundings.

Upon their arrival, the students checked in and were greeted with remarks from Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Katie Crowley '10. "The world has never needed CUA Law trained lawyers and professionals, mediators, and peacemakers more…We have great hopes for you and as you settle in to your new community, rest assured that there is a dedicated team at the Columbus School of Law to help support and guide you along the way." Crowley introduced CUA Law Dean Regina Jefferson who welcomed students to the Law School.

"At CUA Law, we have an exceptionally accomplished and dedicated faculty, from whom you will learn legal doctrine as well as how to practice law, a very thoughtful, caring, administrative staff who will support your study of the law, and a tremendously committed and loyal body of alumni, who stand ready to help you in any way that they can to guide your transition from law student to lawyer. " Dean Jefferson said. "I wish you the very best of luck, and look forward to being a part of your journey to becoming a lawyer."

Following a welcome luncheon for full-time students and an evening dinner for part-time students, a panel of current full-time students, Willie Burden, Peter Kim, Richie Lamura, Sandra Sawan, and Tamara West, imparted helpful advice regarding getting involved in the CUA Law community, preparing for class, and balancing responsibilities. Evening students also met with a group of dedicated upper-division part-time students, Sarah Mysiewicz-Gill, Josh Perez, and Vania Smith.

The incoming class also heard from Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research Marin Scordato on how to succeed in law school from a faculty perspective. "We endeavor to prepare you to understand the law, to practice the law, to pass the bar, and to enter the legal profession. Your success is now our success," Associate Dean Scordato said.

Nancy Palermo '97, managing partner of Garrison & Sisson, Inc., and Justine Donahue, senior managing director of Garrison & Sisson, Inc., spoke to students about starting their legal careers. They gave an overview of the different practice areas of law, the various types of employers lawyers can work for, and importance of professional development.

The 2018 orientation program included a segment developed by Professor Stacy Brustin and the Law School's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council entitled, "Cultural Competency & Countering Bias: Professional Development for Future Lawyers." Members of the Council discussed the need for lawyers to identify and combat their own biases in order to be effective practitioners and to help future clients. New law students were encouraged to not only to seek intellectual rigor, in part to help counter bias, but to also seek interpersonal rigor to challenge habits and think in new ways, skills that are critical to successful lawyering.

Click here to view other photos of Orientation week on CUA Law's Facebook page.