MBA / FEATURE
Diversity Committee Hosts a Day in Court
T
he Montgomery Bar Association’s Diversity Committee, in partnership with Lower Merion School District, hosted the third annual Day in Court program on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at the Montgomery County Court House. The Honorable Cheryl L. Austin welcomed the group of ninety (90) high school students from Lower Merion School District into her courtroom to observe live court proceedings. After the proceedings, Judge Austin entertained questions from the students about court procedure and the consequence of actions. The students were then given the opportunity to meet with such dignitaries as The Honorable Garrett D. Page, Chief
Public Defender Keir Bradford-Grey, Assistant District Attorney Joseph Green II, Esq., and County Detective Tyrone Tate. Each speaker shared their success stories, as well as lessons learned along the way. While each speaker’s road to success was unique, their stories shared a common thread – the value of hard work, courage and perseverance in achieving your dream. The students then enjoyed lunch at One Montgomery Plaza, where they were joined by the Honorable Gail A. Weilheimer and the Honorable Richard P. Haaz, along with Montgomery County Commissioners Leslie S. Richards and Josh Shapiro, who educated the students about local government. Throughout the day, students
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partnered with mentor attorneys Marilou Watson and Eric Spangler of Fox Rothschild LLP, Shelly Smith of the Law Offices of Charles Daly, Ellen S. Fischer of Clover & Coval, LLC, and Leno Thomas of Solomon and Berschler, P.C. The PBA award-winning Day in Court program is part of the Montgomery Bar Association’s efforts to promote diversity within the legal community. Other initiatives include the 1L Summer Internship for diverse first year law students. In the fall, members of Montgomery Bar Association’s Diversity Committee will teach courses in the law to high school students throughout the Lower Merion School District, with hopes to extend the program to other school districts in Montgomery County.