The Bench & Bar magazine is published to provide members of the KBA with information that will increase their knowledge of the law, improve the practice of law, and assist in improving the quality of legal services for the citizenry.
Issue link: https://kentuckybenchandbar.epubxp.com/i/382597
from low-income, minority and disadvan- taged backgrounds for the rigors of law school. Each year the KLEO program accepts five entering first year law students from each of Kentucky's three public law schools: the Uni- versity of Kentucky College of Law; the Uni- versity of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law; and, Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law. During the summer institute, law professors introduce the scholars to the curriculum they will en- counter during their first year of law school. They are also exposed to the special study skills and strategies they will need to succeed in law school. Former KLEO scholars from each law school serve as mentors to the new KLEO students. Each student is also assigned a practicing attorney or judge who serves as the student's mentor. In the spring of 2002, the KLEO Program was born from the vision and determination of Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Joseph Lambert and state Rep. Jesse Cren- shaw. Chief Justice Lambert proposed that the Kentucky General Assembly adopt and fund the program, which is patterned after the national CLEO program, to increase the number of historically under-represented stu- dents in Kentucky's public law schools. The funding for the KLEO Program would not have remained possible without the generos- ity of the Kentucky Bar Foundation, the grant writing efforts of the KLEO Summer Institute Director, UK College of Law Professor Allison Connelly, and the two-year funding so gra- ciously approved by the Kentucky General Assembly during the 2014 legislative session. Since the first KLEO Summer Institute was held in July of 2003, more than 160 students have successfully completed the program. UK COLLEGE OF LAW'S ACADEMIC SUCCESS PRO- GRAM HOSTS INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL REASONING The University of Kentucky College of Law's Academic Success Program hosted "Introduc- tion to Legal Reasoning," August 9-13. Students were invited to participate in the three and a half day course held just before 1L orientation. The course included classes in civil procedure, criminal law, legal writing and study skills. "Introduction to Legal Reason- ing" focuses on preparing students for the demands of first–year law school classes. Prior to the program, students were given class assignments to be completed. This gave students an opportunity to realize the complexity and depth of reading and writing that law school involves. The program also spends considerable time assessing how par- ticipants learn, study, and manage their time, and then those who need additional support are invited to participate in Academic Suc- cess Program workshops during the spring semester. First-year law professors held three mock classes daily, while UK College of Law deans, faculty, and upper-class students met with participants during lunch and then individual- ly on an as needed basis. Academic Success Program Director Jane Bloom Grisé said this program, while volun- tary, is vital for incoming first-year law stu- dents as it teaches them how to successfully navigate law school. "It's a pretty compre- hensive program," said Grisé. "It has ex- panded over the years because students be- lieve it is a worthwhile program." The program is free and open to all first year law students at the University of Kentucky College of Law. B&B; • 9.14 UK 29 JUNE 17-19, 2015 2015 KBA ANNUAL CONVENTION LEXINGTON, KY