Law clerks tout pre-law program to Rotarians

Nicole Torres, center, and Clair Kelleher-Smith, right talk about the CNMI Judiciary?s pre-law program at the Rotary Club of Saipan yesterday, as Rotary president-elect Richard Cody, left, listens. (JAYSON CAMACHO)

NMI Judiciary law clerks Nicole M. Torres and Claire Kelleher-Smith spoke with the Saipan Rotary Club yesterday about the upcoming NMI Judiciary 2014 Summer Pre-Law Program, which will be held at the Guma’ Hustisia in Susupe from June 23, 2014 to July 11, 2014.
Torres, who is the Summer Pre-law Program coordinator, explained that the intensive program will introduce participants to legal study, and its analytical and writing demands. It will also prepare participants for the law school admissions process, including the Law School Admission Test. The program will also expose participants to the local legal community and establish “individualized mentorship.”

Individuals who are in the process of obtaining, or have already received, an undergraduate or graduate degree are eligible to apply.

Torres said that program participants will have sharper writing skills, an insight on law school curriculum, learn techniques for taking LSAT, and get personal attention from law professors and attorney-mentors.

This year’s edition of the program will feature instructors Robert Desiderio and Rose Villazor, both of whom have taught in previous programs and assisted many participants with the law school application process.

The course curriculum includes contracts, property, Moot Court, which is similar to Mock Trial, Law of School Admission workshop, Law School Admission Workshop.

Kelleher-Smith, who is law clerk to Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph Camacho, said that participants will also be introduced to environmental law, Native Hawaiian law, intellectual property law, and international law.

Kelleher-Smith said that participants are expected to spend a considerable amount of time preparing for class sessions with assistance and mentorship, a marked improvement in legal writing skills, and an increased ability to make and evaluate legal arguments.

Applicants are required to submit a brief personal statement. A non-refundable registration fee of $100 for CNMI residents and $200 for non-residents will be required.

Deadline to apply is on April 30, 2014. Applications can be obtained at the office of the Clerk of Court at the Guma’ Hustisia or online at http://www.justice.gov.mp/prelaw.aspx
For more information, contact Torres at (670) 236-9800 or email at nmiprelaw@gmail.com. (Jayson Camacho)