Pepperdine Caruso Law Hosts Los Angeles County Bar Association HBCU Readiness Program

On June 13, Pepperdine Caruso Law hosted a Los Angeles County Bar Association program for HBCU students interested in applying to law school. Ten students from Morehouse College visited Caruso Law for an all-day program that included an orientation, mock class, tour of the law school, and admissions information. Professor Chris Chambers Goodman and associate dean Chalak Richards facilitated the partnership and program. 

The visiting students were greeted by dean Paul Caron, Richards, and Goodman. Each noted the importance of the HBCU partnership in diversifying Caruso Law and the legal profession. For Richards, this was a particularly meaningful day. “As an HBCU graduate and Caruso Law graduate, I am thrilled to see my two worlds come together. I know that Caruso Law will greatly impact the lives of these young men, and that we will be richly blessed by their presence at the law school.”

Special guests who spoke to the students at events throughout the day included Caruso Law alumni judge Andre Birotte (JD ‘91), LaShae Henderson (JD ‘03), Veronica Glaze (JD ‘08), Nicholas McGrue (JD ‘09), Nazareth Haysbert (JD ‘12), and professor Deanna Newton (JD ‘17). Vice dean Naomi Goodno taught the mock class.

The program ended with a closing reception with current Caruso Law students, alumni, and faculty who answered any remaining questions the visiting students had about the application process and law school experience. As one of the students reflected, “I was so encouraged by this experience. Meeting the students and alumni and taking this mock class showed me that I can attend law school. This was my first time at Pepperdine but I know it won’t be my last!”