Incoming students in New Jersey’s two law schools received well-wishes and words of encouragement from the New Jersey State Bar Association as they entered orientation last week.
NJSBA President Jeralyn L. Lawrence was on hand at each law school campus—Seton Hall and both Rutgers Newark and Camden—to administer the Lawyer’s Pledge to students, an oath that outlines the ideals of the profession. In a welcoming ceremony at the Rutgers Newark campus on Wednesday, Lawrence said the class of future lawyers will only know the practice of law in a post-pandemic world, one that is embracing technology in almost every facet.
“In a rapidly changing world, we need your optimism, your idealism and your sincere desire to make a difference by becoming a lawyer,” she said.
The benefits of an NJSBA membership are numerous, Lawrence said. Membership is free for law students, who will have access to a job bank with full-time positions and internships. The Association is also crucial for making personal connections that lead to opportunities—whether it’s employment with a law firm, a judicial clerkship or a career in the public sector, she said.
“The NJSBA is here for you in support and as a valuable resource. You may have first-day jitters, feel excited or anxious, but also know this: you are not alone,” Lawrence said. “The NJSBA wants to become your professional family and home.”