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Speaker Series

The Program on Law and Leadership’s Speaker Series brings distinguished thought leaders to campus to lecture on the theme of leadership while interacting candidly with students. These leaders, who come from a host of backgrounds and experiences, share their knowledge and insights with students through thoughtful discussions about how leadership can be learned and applied at every point in their academic and professional careers. As another component of the series, select students also have the opportunity to meet and network with speakers through small group receptions. Featured speakers have included: Author J.D. Vance, Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, and former US Solicitors General, Don Verrelli and Charles Fried.

Dean's Roundtable

First-year law students are invited to lunch with the Dean and a featured guest, about four times a year. These intimate gatherings of about 20 students allow for discussion of leadership topics, often with distinguished alumni as guests. The Roundtable offers a unique opportunity to hear real-world stories about career paths, life balance, and lessons learned since graduation. 1Ls are reminded by these programs that leadership can come in many forms, and that all graduates have the possibility if becoming leaders in their own way.

Conversation Series

Small groups of students, no more than 20, are invited to share lunch with a distinguished guest, about five times a year. The discussion is focused on the guest’s career highlights and leadership participation, with an opportunity for students to ask questions and be involved in the conversation. Speakers often represent lawyers whose positions are outside of the typical law firm career track and include lawyer-leaders in nonprofit and community; politics and government; and business.

Workshops

The Leadership Skills Workshops are designed to help Moritz students develop management and leadership skills outside of the traditional curriculum. Complementing the law school’s established courses, these workshops help students sharpen the skills required to succeed as leaders in organizational settings. Led by professional trainers, as well as Moritz’s faculty and staff and other University faculty. A range of program workshops are offered each year.

 

Leadership Simulations

Moritz’s simulations, Leading in a Crisis, provide students with the opportunity to play a role in a simulation of community leaders making decisions in the midst of civil unrest, political pressures, and the influence of national media and social media. The simulation, developed by Moritz ADR students, are table-top exercises used multiple times with civic leaders, who have lauded it as an effective way to help plan in advance of civil unrest. Prior to the simulation, students receive with a detailed “confidential” description of their assigned roles.