Courtesy of Memphis Bar Association
The Memphis Bar Association's Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP), recently graduated its new cohort of student interns, during a ceremony at First Baptist Church Broad in Memphis. Acknowledged as the brainchild of Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Gina Higgins, and other Memphis attorneys and law students, SLIP was created in response to the lack of diverse lawyers and judges across the Bluff City and nation.
Since 2007, the Memphis Bar Association has sponsored SLIP, which seeks to develop and nurture an interest in the legal profession among young people from underrepresented groups. Students accepted into the program are placed in law firms, corporate legal departments, or government agencies, and are required to work a total of 60 hours. Upon successful completion of the internship, students receive a $500 stipend.
The graduation included attorneys, judges, and students who shared their experiences about the program this summer, which took place throughout the month of June.
Quinton Thompson, former president of the Young Lawyers’ Division of the Memphis Bar Association and practicing attorney at the Memphis office of Morgan and Morgan, served as one of the mentors in the program, along with other attorneys.
The only black men displayed in the media that were successful were athletes, rappers, and actors,” says Quinton Thompson, attorney and former SLIP student. “Due to this program, I was able to hold on to my dream that I had since I was 12, and I was able to become a part of another 5%, because I graduated from a school that is in the top 5% of all law schools in the country. SLIP helped me see that regardless of how certain people in society may see me, as long as I believe in myself, I can achieve anything.”
The program has also made an impact on Marcus Hart, 2022 SLIP student. He reflected on what his concept of law would be without SLIP.
I wouldn’t understand how to interact in court,” says Marcus Hart. “I wouldn’t understand the requirements it takes and the work ethic of a law firm and the community effort it takes to get things done.”
SLIP has won awards and received a recent grant to expand the program to more students in Memphis.
Established in 1874, the Memphis Bar Association is a professional organization for attorneys in Memphis and the surrounding Mid-South area that seeks to provide a place for lawyers to grow, connect, and serve.
For more information about the SLIP application process, criteria, and timeline, visit memphisbar.org.