Wiley Rein Hosts "Law Day" for Thurgood Marshall Academy Students

July 16, 2010

Wiley Rein hosted a Summer Law Day event today for students from the Thurgood Marshall Academy, a DC public charter high school that focuses on issues of law and government. More than 100 rising ninth grade students gathered at the offices of Wiley Rein for a half-day workshop on basic legal principles that included a series of mini-mock trials, roundtable discussions and interactive case studies. The program aims to help students learn critical thinking skills, develop public speaking techniques and practice how to respectfully disagree and respond to an argument.

This is the seventh time that Wiley Rein has participated in the Law Day program.

Partner Laura A. Foggan, who coordinated the Law Day initiative, said, "Thurgood Marshall Academy's Summer Law Day is the highlight of its program for entering ninth graders, and it also has become a highlight of our summer experience here at Wiley Rein LLP. Our law firm volunteers for the event enjoy the day just as much as the students do."

About 20 enthusiastic lawyers and summer associates served as faculty members for the law day program.

Thurgood Marshall Academy was founded upon the belief - articulated by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall - that all children have the right to a first-class education and the opportunity to reach their full potential. As the District's first law-themed public charter high school, the academy's mission is to prepare students to succeed in college and to actively engage in our democratic society. It serves almost 400 students in grades 9-12 and boasts a 100% college acceptance rate in every graduating class to date.