Embarking on a journey through law school can be an overwhelming experience, full of rigorous coursework, demanding schedules, and a multitude of challenges. As an undergraduate transfer student, this transition is even more stressful as we are jumping into new territory after just two years of UCLA. This is where LEAD (Legal Education Access and Development) steps in, offering PLTS students support through their mentorship program.
At the heart of LEAD’s mission is a robust mentorship program that connects upper-division law students with first-year (1L) and pre-law students. This program offers guidance on essential aspects of law school, including navigating coursework, mastering legal research and writing, and advancing professional development. LEAD also provides access to workshops, panel discussions, and academic study sessions that are designed to strengthen core legal skills and prepare students for life after law school.
Through mentorship, students receive practical, real-world advice from mentors who have been through the same challenges. LEAD ensures that mentors are not only experienced upper-division law students but are also well-prepared and trained to provide valuable insights and tailored guidance. They are more than just a sounding board—they’re someone who understands the intricacies of law school and can offer first hand advice on what to expect and how to thrive as a pre-law student regardless of what stage you are at in your education.
Some examples of LEAD’s support include exercises designed to introduce students to essential skills, such as Bluebooking—the art of legal citation. Bluebooking is a fundamental skill that every law student must master, and LEAD’s mentorship program gives students the opportunity to work through real examples and practice citation techniques with their mentors. This goes beyond just structure and theory—it’s about showing students how these skills are applied in practice and what they need to do now to build a solid foundation for their legal education.
A major part of LEAD’s mentorship and support system involves giving students an authentic perspective of what law school is like. For many, the experience of starting law school is a mix of excitement and anxiety. What will the workload be like? How should I approach studying for exams? What resources are available to me? Your mentor will support you with any questions you may have law-related or not!
While this mentorship program only lasts until the end of the Spring semester, the connection can last for as long as you want it to last after the program ends! With this partnership, all UCLA PLTS members are encouraged to sign up for the program as soon as possible as there are limited spots available!
If you have any questions, you can reach out to PLTS Co-Presidents, Morgan and Cat, or directly to LEAD via emailing LEAD.studentorg@lls.edu.
By: Morgan Nguyen (Co-President of PLTS '24 - '25)
Want to read more blogs such as these and get LSAT prep discounts? Join as an official member! PLTS sends out weekly newsletters with blogs recapping all of our events!
Comments