Mintz Levin event exposes middle school students to legal profession

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC hosted its second Lawyer For A Day event with local middle schoolers who expressed an interest in becoming lawyers.

"This event is important because it's mutually inspiring," Los Angeles managing partner Joshua Briones said Thursday. "I can see in the questions and in the faces of the students that they're experiencing something amazing for them."

The students attend the New Los Angeles Middle School, a charter school, according to the firm. It's the second year the school has participated in Mintz's program.

At last year's event, Mintz attorney Arameh Z. O'Boyle said she met a student who wanted to be a judge. The student returned this year with improved grades, which O'Boyle said is a rewarding experience.

"It's such a great opportunity for us as very busy litigators to also pause and take a moment to feel very grateful about the mentors we've had in our lives ... and to have this amazing opportunity to give back and connect with maybe just one kid," O'Boyle said.

The day's events also featured a panel of attorneys outside of Mintz, including in-house counsel and a Los Angeles deputy district attorney.

LiveNation associate counsel Eniola O. Akinrinade said the event provided young students a chance to connect with a profession and ask questions when they may not have other opportunities to do so.

"I think it's also important for the children to see that there are people who look like them who actually achieve, and it's possible for them, too," Akinrinade said. "Sometimes, you can look at the person and say, 'Wow, I look like her. I think I can do this, too."