Now 20 years strong, the relationship of the two schools illuminates the value UofL places on community engagement. The Cardinal influence throughÌýCentral’s law magnetÌýrepresents a cornerstone of UofL’s Signature Partnership Initiative in west Louisville.Ìý

During a Louisville Bar Association event celebrating the partnership this month, Rothstein received an award as the 2021 LBA Diversity Trailblazer. UofL News caught up with her to talk about her life’s work through the partnership.Ìý

UofL News: Why did you become involved in the Central High School partnership?Ìý

Rothstein:ÌýI had gone to law school because of my interest in social justice and race and gender issues, so this was a program that was a priority for me from the beginning. The goal of the program was not just to create a pipeline of students to becoming lawyers, but to encourage these high school students to become civically engaged and active citizens and leaders in other ways. Initially, the program involved an essay contest, and having Central students visit the law school or attend special events.ÌýÌýÌý

UofL News: How did the program evolve over time?Ìý

¸é´Ç³Ù³ó²õ³Ù±ð¾±²Ô:ÌýInÌý2005, after Joe Gutmann became the Law and Government Magnet teacher at Central, we decided to do more than ‘spark the interest,’ but to build the skills through having law students teach at Central. After I left the deanship in which I had served from 2000 to 2005, I was able to devote more time to developing and enhancing the program. I have also worked with the principals at Central and various departments on campus to replicate similar partnerships. Ìý

UofL News:ÌýWhat impact do you hope to make on these high school students?ÌýÌý

¸é´Ç³Ù³ó²õ³Ù±ð¾±²Ô:ÌýWeÌýwant them not just to become lawyers, we want them to be engaged civically.ÌýThe questionnaires at the end of the year indicate that this goal has been met. They are more aware of and interested in current events. They have developed skills of analytical thinking and improved writing and communication skills that are useful in any higher education context and in life generally.ÌýCentral graduates credit Joe Gutmann with giving them the confidence to succeed in college and beyond.Ìý

UofL News:ÌýDo you know how many students involved in the Central High School Law and Government Magnet program went on to earn a Juris Doctor degree?ÌýÌý

¸é´Ç³Ù³ó²õ³Ù±ð¾±²Ô:ÌýI think there have been 35 Central graduates who have become (or will become) lawyers. I am counting three who are expected to graduate in 2022. We also know of at least two who plan to apply to law school in the next year or two.Ìý

It’s important to note that many of the law magnet graduates have also gone on to other significant professional careers and to obtain other graduate and professional degrees. For example, graduates since the partnership began include students who’ve earned a PhD in Agricultural Economics, a Master in Business, a Master in Public Health and a PhD Candidate in Pan African studies at UofL. Additionally, several individuals have become teachers.ÌýÌýÌýÌý

UofL News:ÌýWhy is it a great opportunity for law students to be involved in teaching the high schoolers?ÌýÌýÌý

¸é´Ç³Ù³ó²õ³Ù±ð¾±²Ô:ÌýWe began an enhanced program in 2007 by incorporating law student taught coursework – Street Law for sophomores, Writing Skills for juniors, and Marshall-Brennan Civil Liberties for seniors. Each year about 25 law students receive public service and/or academic credit for this work. At the end of the year, law students often note that the experience has been eye-opening and many say it is the best thing they did in law school.ÌýÌýÌýÌý

UofL News:ÌýWhy is this program and partnership with UofL so important?ÌýÌýÌý

¸é´Ç³Ù³ó²õ³Ù±ð¾±²Ô:ÌýIt is of value to both Central and UofL students, and it highlights the value that UofL places on community engagement with Louisville and the West End through its Signature Partnership Initiative, part of the UofL Office of Community Engagement.ÌýÌýÌý

UofL News:ÌýWhat is the future of the program?ÌýÌýÌý

¸é´Ç³Ù³ó²õ³Ù±ð¾±²Ô:ÌýWe would like to add a program at the undergraduate level where Central students who attend UofL stay connected and engage in other activities. This includes things like staying involved with the law school, preparing for the LSAT and remaining connected with each other. Since the program began, there has been a significant increase in the number of Central High Law Magnet students attending and graduating from law schools. These law schools include UofL, UK, Washington University St. Louis and University of Chicago. We also continue to work with other UofL departments to develop similar partnerships at Central.ÌýÌýÌý

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Brandeis Law’s Ìýis an effort between the two schools toÌýpromote diversity in the legal profession.

Central Law and Government Magnet ProgramÌýstudents visit the law school and participate in writing competitions and other enrichment activities, while Brandeis Law studentsÌýreceive public service credit by teaching legal issues and critical legal skills to the high school students.

More than 500 Central students have participated in the program since it began in 2001, and many of them were present at the anniversary celebration.Ìý

Participating in the partnership as a Central student allowed him to see what the practice of law is like, saidÌýDemetrius Holloway, who graduated from Brandeis Law and is now an attorney at Stites & Harbison PLLC.

Also at the event, two Brandeis Law students — 2LÌýMashayla Hays and 2L Briana Lathon —Ìýwere awarded scholarships from the Louisville Bar Association.Ìý

Hays is a graduate of Central High and is vice president of the Black Law Students Association. Lathon is a with the law school and president of the Black Law Students Association.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer was on hand to speak about the recipient of the Justice William E. McAnulty Jr. Trailblazer Award from the LBA, which honors those who have had an impact on increasing racial and ethnic diversity within the legal profession. It was awarded posthumously to Carolyn Miller-Cooper, who wasÌýexecutive director of the Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission.

“She represented that type of introspection and quiet ferocity that’s required when we face issues that are not just and require someone to stand up and say something and do something,” Fischer said.

Professor Cedric Merlin Powell presented the award to Miller-Cooper’s daughter.

“She believed that lawyers must be instruments of social change and social justice,” Powell said about Miller-Cooper.