High school students dreaming of a future in the courtroom will have a unique opportunity to take their first steps toward a legal career at Millikin University’s Future Lawyers Experience on September 29th.
During this event, students with aspirations of becoming lawyers, judges, or legal advocates will get an inside look at how Millikin prepares future professionals for the next stage of their education. This signature event is more than a typical college visit; it’s an immersive, hands-on experience built to help students envision themselves pursuing law school and beyond.
“This is such an excellent opportunity for students to get acquainted with our campus and our people,” Molly Berry, executive director of admission at Millikin and the creative force behind the Future Lawyers Experience, said. “If students come to campus, they are more likely to fall in love with our buildings, our faculty, our students, and the overall Millikin experience.”
Berry explained that one of the primary goals of the event is to clarify common misconceptions about the pre-law track. Many students assume they must major in “pre-law” to get into law school. In reality, Millikin, like most universities, offers pre-law as a minor rather than a major. Students are encouraged to pursue majors that sharpen their critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills, such as political science, English, history, or philosophy.
“Even though we have tons of pre-law students and we have tons of folks who take the LSAT, go on to law school, and are very successful, people don’t always connect that,” Berry said.
That’s why the Future Lawyers Experience was created to show students all the paths they can take. The event schedule is packed with opportunities to engage, ask questions, and picture life as a Millikin student. The day will begin with students meeting faculty and current students from across various majors, including English, political science, history, and more.
From there, attendees will gather for a keynote address by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White, the first Black woman to serve on Illinois’ highest court. Justice Holder White is expected to share her own journey to the bench and offer words of encouragement to young people considering careers in law.
Following the keynote, participants will take part in an interactive Q&A panel featuring current Millikin pre-law students and local attorneys, many of whom are Millikin alumni. This panel will give prospective students a chance to ask about everything from preparing for the LSAT to what life is really like as a law student or a practicing lawyer.
But the day isn’t just about sitting and listening. Attendees will go on a guided campus tour, exploring residence halls, classrooms, and the spaces where they might one day study and collaborate. A complimentary box lunch will be provided for students and their guests, offering them more opportunities to connect informally with current students and faculty.
The afternoon will conclude with a hands-on activity called “The Big Blue Briefing.” In this interactive case study exercise, students will work together in small groups to tackle a legal scenario and present their findings.
This session will be led by Dr. Robert Money, Professor of Philosophy, Chair of the Philosophy Department, and Director of the Pre-Law Program at Millikin. Dr. Money also serves as the faculty director of moot court, making him the perfect guide to introduce students to the kind of critical thinking and argumentation they’ll encounter in law school.
This is the kind of experience students dream about. They’re not just hearing about what pre-law looks like; they’re living it for a day.
Looking ahead, Berry hopes this event will become a Millikin tradition.
“I love to do things year after year,” she said. “The first year is always a bit of trial and error, but then we can refine it and make it even better.”
By blending inspiration with hands-on experience, Millikin’s Future Lawyers Experience gives students a clear vision of what it means to pursue law. For aspiring legal minds, this is more than a campus visit; it’s a first step on their path to justice.
