Cornell Law Day is an event that was hosted by Cornell University this past Wednesday, where multiple law schools sent admissions representatives from all over the country to talk with the attending students about the opportunities and advantages their respective universities could provide. St. Bonaventure University had a group of students who had shown interest in attending the event.
The students started out the day with sitting in on a first-year Cornell Law School class. There, the students heard about work product protections in the law and the role of judges.
From there, the students were taken to a presentation where St. Bonaventure alumni, now associated with Cornell University, talked about their experiences and the benefits of attending Cornell, among other law-school-based subjects.
Then, the students walked to where the various law schools were set up and were given free rein to go talk to the schools that they hoped to attend or that caught their attention.
Steven Nuttall, an associate professor in the philosophy department, coordinates and manages St. Bonaventure’s attendance to Cornell Law Day.
“Since arriving at St. Bonaventure, I have been interested in providing opportunities for SBU pre-law students to learn as much as possible about law school in general and about what specific law schools have to offer,” said Nuttall.
Nuttall then said that about 20 years ago he found out about Cornell Law Day.
“I contacted the law school and asked if I could bring a group of Bona students to observe a first year law class,” said Nuttall. “Cornell’s admissions department said ‘yes,’ and so began the first of many annual trips to Cornell’s Law Day.”
Marisol Woods, a sophomore individualized major with the title of international law with a concentration in advocacy for marginalized groups, said she very much enjoyed going to Cornell Law Day.
“It gave Bonaventure students a taste of how much alumni are everywhere and connected to Bona’s,” said Woods.
Daniel Bakowski, a junior political science and international law double major, said he always enjoys attending Cornell Law Day.
“It is a great way to network with all of the different options that are available to students that are interested in pursuing law school after undergrad and offer them a chance to speak directly to admission representatives to learn more about the application process as a whole,” said Bakowski.
Nuttall said he would recommend that anyone considering law school attend this event, but Bakowski took it even further.
“I would highly recommend this experience to other students on campus, even if they are not necessarily looking to go to law school,” said Bakowski. “This year, they invited plenty of graduate, engineering and even medical schools that students could engage with and learn more about.”
Nuttall said about 80 to 90 law schools set up tables at Cornell Law Day.
Woods said that she would recommend the experience to others as well and got what she went for.
“I wanted to get to know my options,” said Woods.
Bakowski recalled what he liked most about the event.
“My favorite part of the trip is always getting the chance to sit in on a first-year law class to get a taste of what lies ahead,” said Bakowski.
Nuttall said the Center for Law & Society covers the pay for the university vans that help transport the students to the event.
Nuttall said students should expect Bonaventure to continue attending Cornell Law Day.
“It’s a great opportunity for our prelaw students,” said Nuttall. “Just ask any who have made the trip.”
By Landon Allison, Associate Editor
allisolj17@bonaventure.edu
