University of Mississippi School of Law Hosts 5th Annual HBCU Law Preview Day

The University of Mississippi School of Law hosted its annual HBCU Law Preview Day, welcoming 54 students from 13 Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the South.

The event has become a signature part of the law school’s commitment to access and opportunity, as it provides prospective law students with a firsthand look at what a legal education at Ole Miss Law has to offer.

During workshops and panel discussions, faculty, staff and students of the law school provided insight to guests on the law school application process, LSAT preparation strategies, support systems available at UM Law and professional opportunities beyond a legal education.

Students and advisers were also able to sit in on a first-year torts class taught by Professor Larry Pittman, allowing them a sneak peek at what it’s like to take a law school class.

HBCU Law Preview Day first launched in 2021 in order to strengthen partnerships between the UM and HBCUs around the region, and it is open to all students at all institutions. Over the last five years, the initiative provided hundreds of students with exposure to legal education in an effort to broaden and strengthen the legal profession. This year’s participating institutions included: Austin Peay State University, Grambling State University, Jackson State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Mississippi State University, Tennessee State University, Tougaloo College, Rust College, the University of Memphis, the University of Mississippi, Vanderbilt University and Walden University.

“Our annual HBCU Law Preview Day reflects our commitment to providing access to a legal education and the legal profession,” said Frederick G. Slabach, dean of the law school. “By partnering with HBCUs, we are committed to ensuring talented students from all backgrounds see themselves as future lawyers, advocates, and leaders.”

Each year, HBCU Law Preview Day continues to grow, and the law school’s commitment to expanding pathways into the legal profession remains steadfast. Past attendees of the event have successfully enrolled at Ole Miss Law, pursued judicial clerkships and entered the legal profession across the nation. Plans are already underway to broaden partnerships, strengthen resources, and continue fostering connections that make law school more accessible to underrepresented students.

“This event demonstrates what is possible when institutions collaborate to provide access and opportunities,” said Joshua Quinn Tucker, UM Law’s assistant dean for enrollment management, access, opportunity and community engagement. “For five years, we’ve seen students leave this event with a clearer vision of their future, and that impact only continues to grow.”

Aliya Purnell, a sophomore at Tuskegee University, has considered law school since he was in high school. She tries to attend as many law preview events as she can in different locations, and this is her second year attending HBCU Law Preview Day at Ole Miss.

“The more law schools I go to, the more of a feel I get, so this process is not that scary,” Purnell said. “I love how AccessLex gave more of the financial aspects to us. A lot of people just don’t know how to finance law school and that sets a lot of people back.”

She also appreciated that speakers and panelists took the time to listen to attendees and answer everyone’s questions.

“That really shows the care they have for this law school and to make sure these students have the information they need to go here.”

This year’s HBCU Law preview day in partnership with AccessLex Institute and the University of Mississippi’s Division of Access, Opportunity & Community Engagement.

For more information about the law school and the application process, visit law.olemiss.edu.