Minority Outreach: Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Section. Last year on Law Day, lawyers presented a program at an elementary school in one of Chicago’s Hispanic neighborhoods. Two lawyers spoke with seventh and eighth graders about the role of law in protecting individual freedoms and what it takes to become a lawyer. In addition, Professor Wayne Lewis of DePaul University College of Law conducted a class to give the students a taste of what law school is like. “The event was a successful outreach because it demonstrated that lawyers have a strong commitment to diversity and to interacting with the community,” says Ruben R. Chapa, Chair Elect of the Chicago Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section. The CBA teamed up with the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois to develop the special outreach program. While the junior high program was just one of several events planned during Law Week, Chapa feels it was important because it tried to reach students at an early age. To address the shortage of minorities in the legal profession and diversity in the bar, the CBA is developing some new programs that include a pre-law workshop for minorities in college to offer information on applying to schools and financing a legal education. The CBA is also considering on a booklet that lists scholarships, particularly those designed for minorities. “It’s nice to have a diverse culture,” he adds, describing his own office at the U.S. Department of Labor/Solicitors Office where he is a prosecutor. “Different people will notice things that other people miss.” Chapa is quick to point out that he wouldn’t be where he is today if it wasn’t for the assistance of many others. “That’s why it’s important to reach out,” he adds. Chicago Bar Association YLS/Hispanic Bar of Illinois Law Day 2000 Sample Programs Home | By Audience | By Location | By Sponsoring Organization