CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP

WHILE SERVING AS DEAN OF THE BRANDEIS SCHOOL OF LAW IN 2001, Laura Rothstein helped initiate a partnership between UofL and Central High School’s Law and Government Magnet.

Now 20 years strong, the relationship between the two schools illuminates the value UofL places on community engagement.

During a Louisville Bar Association event celebrating the partnership in October, Rothstein received an award as the 2021 LBA Diversity Trailblazer. We caught up with her to talk about her life’s work through the partnership.

WHY DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP?

ROTHSTEIN: I had gone to law school because of my interest in social justice and race and gender issues, so this was a program that was a priority for me from the beginning. The goal of the program was not just to create a pipeline of students to becoming lawyers, but to encourage these high school students to become civically engaged and active citizens and leaders in other ways. Initially, the program involved an essay contest, and having Central students visit the law school or attend special events. In 2005, law students began teaching at Central.

WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE TO MAKE ON THESE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS?

ROTHSTEIN: We want them not just to become lawyers, we want them to be engaged civically. The questionnaires at the end of the year indicate that this goal has been met. They are more aware of and interested in current events. They have developed analytical thinking and improved writing and communication skills that are useful in any higher education context and in life generally.

WHY IS IT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR LAW STUDENTS TO BE INVOLVED IN TEACHING THE HIGH SCHOOLERS?

ROTHSTEIN: We began an enhanced program in 2007 by incorporating law student-taught coursework: Street Law for sophomores, Writing Skills for juniors, and Marshall-Brennan Civil Liberties for seniors. Each year about 25 law students receive public service and/or academic credit for this work. At the end of the year, law students often note that the experience has been eye-opening, and many say it is the best thing they did in law school.

“WE WANT (THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS) NOT JUST TO BECOME LAWYERS, WE WANT THEM TO BE ENGAGED CIVICALLY.”

- PROF. LAURA ROTHSTEIN

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE PROGRAM?

ROTHSTEIN: We would like to add a program at the undergraduate level where Central students who attend UofL stay connected and engage in other activities. This includes things like staying involved with the law school, preparing for the LSAT and remaining connected with each other. Since the program began, there has been a significant increase in the number of Central High Law Magnet students attending and graduating from law schools. These law schools include UofL, UK, Washington University St. Louis and University of Chicago. We also continue to work with other UofL departments to develop similar partnerships at Central.