Yesterday marked the third annual Law Day on the Hill at Tufts, a six-hour event held in Dowling Hall for all interested students.
Over 50 Tufts alumni, ranging from the Class of 1974 to the Class of 2001 attended. The alums taught, lead groups, and spoke at panels throughout the day.
Around 40 Tufts students showed up for the event.
The event began with a law class conducted by the Honorable Daniel Winslow (LA '80) in the "Socratic" style - the traditional method of teaching law that involves posing a series of questions to students, rather than lecturing.
Students examined an actual case that Winslow had reviewed during his time as a judge.
In the case, a woman had signed a contract with a marriage broker service that guaranteed her marriage, and, according to the service, she had not paid the amount of fees due.
Vice President of the Tufts Lawyers Association (TLA) Debra Curtis said that, in reaching a conclusion in the case, Winslow "called on people and really engaged everyone," and that "everyone was involved and very responsive."
In an attempt to defy the stereotype of the self-serving, greedy lawyer, four alumni spoke in the panel "Doing Well While Doing 'Good.'"
Panelists included Boston Medical Center's Family Advocacy Program attorney Amanda Sandis Glynn (LA '00), and Securities and Exchange Commission employee David London (LA '90).
Another panel, made up of two law students, two alumni lawyers, and one long-time attorney, discussed life after law school and transitional difficulties often incurred after bar exams. "[It] wasn't like the movies... you work from the bottom up," panelist Tanvir Alam (LA '97) said.
The panelists also emphasized that law schools look favorably upon students gaining experience and diversity by taking a year off after undergraduate studies.
Sophomore Meekaelle Joseph said that the panel "was very helpful, especially since I was contemplating whether to go straight to law school or take a year off ... it makes my decision a lot easier."
Representatives from the Suffolk and Boston University Law Schools led a question-and-answer session on the law school admissions process, while the assembled alums attended a TLA business meeting, led by president Bill Labovitz (LA '90).
The TLA is comprised of over 300 law school students and Tufts graduates in the legal profession.
Labovitz said the TLA's primary objectives are to give back to the University and to provide networking opportunities for members.
The TLA also coordinates a mentoring program in which undergrads and law school students can connect with alumni in the legal profession.
Labovitz said he was proud that the event allowed to students to "hear directly from graduates, and really get the inside scoop on what it's like to be a law student."
"Tufts is very lucky that they have a lot of lawyers here, willing to help undergrads," junior Raphael Hui said.
Law Day on the Hill was sponsored by the TLA, in conjunction with Tufts' Pre-Legal Society.
