First-Year Students to Explore Legal Careers at Annual Pathways Conference

UNC School of Law’s annual Legal Pathways Conference connects first-year students with practicing attorneys across five distinct career areas on Friday, September 12, from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. The conference covers in-house and alternative careers, judiciary positions including clerkships and judgeships, private practice, public interest work, and government roles. 

“The legal pathways conference was a great opportunity to learn more about different practice areas and make connections with attorneys,” said Aurora Lavin-Peter, a current 2L student who participated last year. “It really helped me to gain a better sense of what I wanted to try out my first summer.” 

The conference features a unique rotating panel format, with each of the five panels conducted three times throughout the afternoon. Students participate in three 45-minute sessions, allowing them to dive deep into their areas of greatest interest. Each session includes 20 to 30 minutes of moderated discussion followed by 15 to 20 minutes of student-driven questions and answers. 

For many first-year students, the conference serves as an eye-opening introduction to the many opportunities available with a law degree. Eli Weatherby, a 2L, reflected on his experience:

“Coming into my 1L year, I was incredibly naive to the career options that a JD can provide, so it was helpful to gain exposure from the different panels.” 

Following the formal panels, students and attorneys will connect at a networking reception. “The reception was great because it allowed time to chat with the panelists and ask more in-depth questions than the Q&A sessions at the end of the panel allowed,” Weatherby shared. 

The required program ensures all first-year students gain early exposure to the full spectrum of legal careers, helping them make informed decisions about summer opportunities and long-term career goals from the very beginning of their legal education at Carolina Law.