The Richardson Law & Justice Summer Program is a one-week summer program for public high school students, originally and successfully piloted during the summer of 2015.

The Program helps to maintain a pipeline to encourage youth from underrepresented groups to consider higher education, legal education, and legally-related careers. The Program introduces participants to issues of law and justice; builds their skills in discussion, research, debate, analysis, and advocacy; and provides them with the tools and inspiration to become active and involved citizens of their communities. Current law students engaged with civic education initiatives help administer the Program.

During the Law & Justice Program students will participate in a variety of educational activities related to law and legal careers including:

• Preparing for and taking part in a mock trial activity;
• Visiting the State Capitol, the Hawaii Supreme Court, and the offices of a downtown law firm;
• Attending workshops on substantive law subjects such as Criminal Justice, Constitutional Law, Family Law, Immigration, and Poverty Law;
• Reading and analyzing legal opinions and other documents;
• Organizing arguments for clarity and rhetorical effectiveness;
• Discussing how context, history, and civic responsibility inform legal decision-making;
• Meeting and interacting with jurists and legal professionals; and,
• Learning about law school and the law school admissions process.

There is no tuition and no other fees or costs for participants in the Richardson Law & Justice Summer Program. The Program provides free daily transportation and meals for participants. Participants are selected based on an application process that includes a writing sample and a statement of purpose.