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February 2009 |
SPOTLIGHT ON... In the furtherance of our enthusiastic commitment to serving the charities we assist, Schiff Hardin's Tax-Exempt Organizations practice is proud to present our Philanthropic Spotlight. Each month, we will turn over the microphone to one of the many organizations we work with so that you can learn about some wonderful work that is being done to make the world a better place. With that, we are proud to introduce you to Just The Beginning Foundation.  Minority students and first generation college students often lack the resources and networks to make a professional career a reality. At Just The Beginning Foundation ("JTBF"), we work with a diverse group of at-risk students to ensure they know that the legal profession is attainable. JTBF is a nonprofit organization comprised of lawyers, judges, and other citizens dedicated to developing and nurturing interest in the law among traditionally underrepresented students and supporting their continued advancement. "Just the Beginning" began as a celebration of the integration of the federal judiciary on September 19, 1992, in Chicago, Illinois. The celebratory event honored Judge James Parsons, the first African-American United States District Court Judge, on his retirement. Inspired by the events of that weekend, JTBF offers pipeline programs directly aimed at inspiring young students to seek higher education and increasing diversity in the legal profession and judiciary. JTBF programs take students from middle school all the way through entry into the legal profession. At the middle school level, JTBF offers a Law Camp to introduce the legal profession and plant the seed that the profession is attainable. Our high school students receive more advanced instruction and take an in-depth look at the legal profession during the Summer Legal Institute and the School Year Program. College students are referred to partner organizations to help them prepare for law school. The Externship and Clerkship Programs for law students give our JTBF Scholars the opportunity to work closely with judges. The Summer Legal Institute ("SLI") for high school students is JTBF's pivotal program. For the past three years, JTBF has offered the Summer Legal Institute to Chicago-area high school students. The SLI is a free ten-day legal immersion program that inspires minority and at-risk students by providing them with the unique opportunity to learn basic legal concepts and personally interact with state and federal judges and lawyers. In addition to learning substantive law, students also practice public speaking skills through a mock trial component and work on their writing skills. The SLI provides college preparation assistance, including ACT test preparation and an on-site visit to an area college. While the SLI program lasts just ten days, JTBF provides continued support to its JTBF Scholars as they continue the journey through college and law school. The key component to JTBF programs is its collaborative approach. JTBF calls on the civic and legal community leaders for help executing a Summer Legal Institute. By collaborating with these leaders and leveraging their skills, JTBF offers the students a chance to meet a wide array of people, hear about their unique experiences, and interact with attorneys and judges who have interesting perspectives and often similar stories. JTBF wants to remain on the forefront of diversifying the legal profession and reach as many underrepresented students as possible. To this end, JTBF has developed a plan to expand the Summer Legal Institute to cities across the country. The 2009-10 Summer Legal Institute National Expansion Project takes the SLI model and duplicates its programming and benefits in cities that have large underrepresented populations and committed legal communities. In 2009, JTBF is offering the SLI in Chicago; Minneapolis; Seattle; Washington, D.C.; and Piney Woods, Mississippi and plans to expand to additional cities in 2010. To learn more about the organization and the exciting expansion initiative, please visit JTBF online at www.jtbf.org. RECENT PUBLICATIONS
ABOUT SCHIFF HARDIN LLP Schiff Hardin LLP is enthusiastically committed to serving the legal needs of tax-exempt organizations, matched by significant experience and practice capabilities in this area. Our attorneys provide comprehensive counsel to a wide array of public and private philanthropic, health care, medical and scientific research, housing, neighborhood redevelopment, cultural, artistic, civic, college and educational, and religious organizations, as well as social welfare organizations, trade associations and business leagues, business and housing cooperatives, and professional fundraisers.  |
