Blog
Diversity pipeline project enters second year
by Mandy Hicks
The Diversity and Inclusion Committee of ELPO kicked off a second year of education in Bowling Green schools with a kickoff event at Bowling Green High School on October 9.
The project, called the Legal Diversity Pipeline Project, launched in the fall of 2017. Bob Young, Rebecca Simpson, David Anderson, Oysara Demir and Cassie Joiner, all with ELPO, spoke to an assembly at the school. Visits will continue once per quarter.
Throughout the school year, ELPO attorneys and staff will be working with students in these schools to educate them about the legal profession. Plans call for police officers to participate as well, to help educate students on all types of careers in the legal system. “Our goal is to encourage students from all backgrounds, especially those who have been historically under-represented in the legal profession, to consider pursuing a career in law,” said Rebecca Simpson, a partner at ELPO who has led the project.
“This is an awesome project that, in my opinion, will send a message to all diverse students that they are welcomed into the legal profession if this is something they are interested in pursuing,” says Oysara Demir, who is a paralegal at ELPO. “I think it is very encouraging and powerful for these young students to know that they can be a part of legal system and make a difference in their community.”
In Spring 2018, ELPO organized an all-day field trip to visit various legal venues including the Warren County Justice Center, the Federal Court House, the old Warren County Court House and the Warren County Jail.
