James E. Jones Jr. Four-Week Summer Pre-Law Scholars Program

The University of Wisconsin Law School’s James E. Jones Jr. Pre-Law Scholars Program (PLS) is a Legal Education Diversity Pipeline Grant Program generously funded by the Access Group Center for Research & Policy Analysis. Open to students who have completed their freshman or sophomore years in college, the program is designed to help students explore legal education and careers in law and to help them succeed in applying to, enrolling in, and graduating from law school.

Jim Jones B&W The program is named for the late Professor James E. Jones Jr., the University of Wisconsin Law School’s first African-American faculty member. A pioneer in equal employment and affirmative action policy, Professor Jones taught labor law and arbitration for nearly 30 years at the Law School, and in 1991, was named the Nathan P. Feinsinger Professor of Labor Law.  This year’s Pre-Law Scholars Program  will be June 6- July 1 on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

Learn how the law operates in the real world 

By experiencing UW Law School’s distinctive law-in-action approach to teaching, you will learn how the law operates in the real world and shapes daily life. As a participant, you will:

Take introductory law courses, taught by UW Law School professors, to see what law study is like and whether it’s right for you.
Participate in personal and professional development workshops.
Gain hands-on experience with the legal system, participating in activities such as a mock client intake and a Wisconsin prison tour, and attending a criminal plea and sentencing.

Explore legal career paths

Jones Pre-Law program Explore the wide range of work lawyers do. Learn about a variety of practice areas – from criminal law to election law – and network with local attorneys, judges and current law school students.

Gain insights on applying to law school 

From taking the LSAT to filling out applications, learn how to succeed in the process of applying to law school. Meet with admissions and career counselors to gain insights on how to best prepare for the application process.

Experience life on a Big Ten campus

Spend four weeks living on the beautiful University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Our vibrant, internationally renowned university is a top research institution, located in the capital of Wisconsin.  There will be time for fun, and students will benefit from a campus surrounded by lakes, sports, music and theater — as well as the resources of a major research university.

Be part of a transformative educational experience, at no cost

This transformative experience is offered at no cost to you. As a program participant, you will receive tuition, free room and board for the duration of the program, and a $1,000 stipend.

Please explore our website or contact us to learn more about the PLS Program.