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Training & Educating High School Students on the Path to Becoming an Attorney


Are you a high school student in Harris County thinking about whether you’ll one day go to law school? The Office of Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee created a program to empower students like you.

The Summer Legal Academy is a two-week, full time legal training and educational program designed to expose high school students to the path to becoming an attorney. Participating students learn about the path to getting accepted to a law school, what to expect in law school classes, the different careers one can pursue with a law degree, and the various types of practices in which a lawyer can focus.

Congratulations to the first cohort of the Summer Legal Academy!

Abigail Little, St. Agnes Academy, Class of 2024

Alexis Benestante, Dr. Kirk Lewis Career and Technical High School, Class of 2023

Carmen Cruz, Milby High School, Class of 2023

Chloe Cooper, Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Class of 2024

Deja Hanley, Destined for Greatness Homeschool, Class of 2023

Evelyn Zuniga, Cesar E. Chavez High School, Class of 2023

Gibria Buckmire, Debakey High School, Class of 2024

Han Vo, Cesar E Chavez High School, Class of 2024

Ivy Hiner, Class of Yates High School, Class of 2024

Jonathan Mata, Avalos P-TECH School, Class of 2023

Josephine Rae Damian, Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School of Houston, Class of 2023

Lucyle Baby Myers, Worthing High School, Class of 2024

Nyah Symone Crawford, Madison High School, Class of 2024

Perla Deleon, Carl Wunsche High School, Class of 2022

Rachel Eze, KIPP Houston High School, Class of 2024

Ramona M. Hilliard, Cypress Springs High School , Class of 2023

Regan Gabrielle House, Carnegie Vanguard, Class of 2023

Rohan Mahendru, Lamar High School, Class of 2023

Samantha Alaniz, Heights High School, Class of 2023

Stayce Mejia Garcia, Westchester Academy for International Studies, Class of 2024

Tavian King, Humble High School, Class of 2024

Tyerra Osborne, Young Women's College Preparatory Academy, Class of 2023

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  • Application Period

    Mar 03
    -
    Mar 25

  • Notification Period

    Apr 04
    -
    Apr 08

  • Orientation

    Jul 08
    -

  • Week One

    Jul 11
    -
    Jul 14

  • Week Two

    Jul 18
    -
    Jul 24

What is the Harris County Attorney’s Office Summer Legal Academy?

The Summer Legal Academy is a two-week training and educational program for high school students hosted by the Office of Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee. It is designed to expose students to:

● the path to getting accepted to a law school,

● what to expect in law school classes,

● the different careers one can pursue with a law degree, and

● the various types of practices in which a lawyer can focus.

What is the Harris County Attorney’s Office?

The Harris County Attorney’s Office is the civil legal office for Harris County, Texas, its 60+ elected officials, its numerous appointed department heads, and its more than 18,000 employees.

Who is eligible to apply for the Summer Legal Academy?

Any high school student designated as a sophomore, junior, or senior who lives in Harris County may apply. Representatives of the Harris County Attorney’s Office will review applications and select 20-25 students (“Participating Students”) for the Summer 2022 Summer Legal Academy.

How can eligible students apply?

Eligible students who would like to apply to become a Participating Student must complete the application at https://cao.harriscountytx.gov/. The requirements include:

▪ Completed application

▪ Short essay questions

▪ Parent or guardian consent

▪ The name and email of an educational or work reference (e.g., teacher, administrator, former employer).

What can Participating Students expect for the 2022 Summer Legal Academy?

Students participating in the 2022 Summer Legal Academy be required to:

● attend a three-hour orientation in the first week of July;

● prepare for and attend 8 sessions, each Monday - Thursday, from 8 AM until 5 PM during a two week period in July; and

● attend a graduation ceremony in July.

What is the expected timeline of the 2022 Summer Legal Academy?

July 8-21, 2022.

Where will the 2022 Summer Legal Academy take place?

The Harris County Attorney’s Office

1019 Congress St.

Houston, Texas 77002

Are Participating Students compensated?

Yes. Participating students will be paid a stipend equivalent to $15.00 per hour in association with their participation in the program.

Who do I contact if I have questions that are not addressed in these FAQs?

For more details on the 2022 Summer Legal Academy and the application process, please email Communications@cao.hctx.net.