Howard University First Year Law Student Shares How Susan B. Livingston Boot Camp Set Him Up For Success

Calvin Sempebwa, a 2021 Susan B. Livingston Boot Camp for Success participant and incoming law student at Howard University School of Law, recently shared how the two-day workshop prepared him for a successful law school experience in an article published by Howard Law: 

“The Susan B. Livingston Boot Camp for Success demystified many of the questions I had about law school,” said Sempebwa, a first-generation immigrant from Burtonsville, Maryland. “I gained insight on how to approach exams, study effectively, and prepare for on-campus interviews. I enjoyed the mock class with Professor (Bryan) Fair and the supplements provided because they gave me an idea of what to expect in the classroom and on law school exams, how to read and brief cases, and what cold calling felt like. I connected with Balch attorneys, judges, rising 1Ls, and a summer associate who is also a current student at Howard law. I feel better equipped to start law school because I now have an arsenal of tips and skills I will implement and adjust to meet my needs during my first year of law school.”

The two-day workshop, dedicated to infusing diversity into the attorney pipeline, includes students from groups historically underrepresented in the legal profession and from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as students facing other significant barriers to entering the legal profession.  

Incoming first-year law students from across the country participated in the virtual event. The interactive program featured sessions offering practical tips and advice from judges, attorneys and law professors, a simulated law school class, as well as tips on how to maximize study skills and summer job placement. Participants also had an opportunity to network with both peers and practicing attorneys from a variety of backgrounds.

Sempebwa’s top three takeaways from the program were: “to be brief, clear & precise when writing law school exams, to feel comfortable cold emailing attorneys when networking, and to focus on my journey through law school and refrain from comparing myself to others.”

Many students who participate in the program go on to credit Boot Camp for Success as a driving factor behind their success during law school and as a young professional.

“While at Howard law, I hope to continue pioneering a legacy for all aspiring first-generation law students,” he said. “With the knowledge, skills and network I attained through this Boot camp, I believe I will successfully matriculate through law school. I look forward to using my knowledge to advocate for and actualize change for those who may not have the means from which to do so.”