The Office of Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee is now accepting applications for the 2024 Summer Legal Academy (SLA), a unique two-week educational readiness program for high school students to learn more about what it takes to become an attorney. The office typically receives more than 200 applications for the 35 available spots and encourages students to apply early.

During the program, students will:

learn about what it takes to succeed in college, on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), and in law school; participate in mock lectures given by current professors at local law schools; hear from multiple panels of attorneys in a variety of practice areas (including corporate law, criminal law, family law, etc.); and tour local law schools and courthouses.

“Networking with so many people in a formal setting boosted my confidence and improved my interpersonal skills, making even my college essays so much more thoughtful. With all the connections I made, I felt so accomplished by the experience's end. Attending was definitely one of the best decisions I've ever made,” said Luca Vela, senior at Spring Early College Academy and 2023 SLA alum.

“Every young person deserves to know that the options ahead of them are endless and that they have what it takes to create a bright future for themselves. That’s why I created the Summer Legal Academy - it empowers kids from all backgrounds, regardless of where they go to school or the issues they face in their own life, to know how to navigate the process of becoming a successful attorney,” said Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee. “Growing up, I had never met a lawyer and I had no idea how to get into law school. It’s incredibly meaningful to me to be able to connect Harris County high school students to a diverse group of attorneys, judges, and even staff from local law schools and allow them to ask questions and dream big about their own future.”

For more details on Summer Legal Academy and the application process, visit cao.harriscountytx.gov/students. Any high school student in Harris County entering grades 10 through 12 may apply. The priority deadline for applications is March 1 and the deadline for students to apply is March 22. Applicants are expected to submit a recommendation letter, a writing sample, and a short essay. The program will be held Monday-Friday during a two-week period in July.