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Conrad & Scherer Pathways Program – Fellows Visit

The Conrad & Scherer Pathways to Careers in Law Program, a collaboration between the Fort Lauderdale law firm, Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law (NSU Law) and Fort Lauderdale High School, hosted three field trips for the inaugural class of Fellows,

The 12 Pathways Fellows first attended a mock class at the NSU College of Law school led by Dean Jane Cross, Director of Caribbean Law Programs and Professor of Law. The Dean of the College of Law José R. (Beto) Juárez Jr. also addressed the students, stressing the importance of pursuing your passion.

“You are obviously here today because you have a passion to pursue a career in law,” he said. “It’s an incredibly fulfilling career that allows you to engage your intellect, be excited about your work and do great work on behalf of your clients.”

The Fellows also participated in a tour of the law school and enjoyed a reception where they spoke with law students and professors, including Jessica Garcia-Brown, Director of the new NSU Undergraduate Law programs.

Later in the week, the students visited the Broward County Courthouse, where they met with Judges Robert F. Diaz and Betsy Benson and witnessed a trial led by Judge Martin S. Fein, arranged by Judge Michele Towbin-Singer, a long-time support of the law magnet program at Fort Lauderdale High.

“Lawyers are the architects of society,” said Judge Diaz to the future lawyers. “You decide help make changes in society that are really important.”

Next, at the law offices of Conrad & Scherer, Pathways Fellows heard from the firm’s founder Bill Scherer, as well as other partners and associates, paralegals, even the director of human resources.

“I didn’t know about law when I was in high school,” Scherer shared with the students, as he recalled highlights of his own career, stories about forming his own firm and lessons learned throughout his career. Offering words of inspiration and encouragement, Scherer even included a personal tour of his own office as part of the afternoon’s activities.

Starting in June, the selected Fellow will begin gaining an inside view of a law firm’s operations as they intern at the downtown Fort Lauderdale offices of Conrad & Scherer.

Fellows were selected from applications submitted by pre-law magnet students at Fort Lauderdale High. Each applicant was required to include teacher recommendations, a resume and essay about why they want to pursue a career in law.

The Pathways program, which is designed to give under represented students the opportunity to experience the full continuum to a career in law, from high school through law school, will begin again when school resumes in the Fall.