The Adams and Reese Mobile office successfully concluded its fourth annual partnership with the Street Law Inc. Pipeline Program, mentoring students from LeFlore Magnet High School in Alabama. The program creates opportunities for law firms to teach high school students, who are often underrepresented in the legal profession, about legal careers and legal topics.
This year’s legal lesson centered around the Fourth Amendment and focused on the search and seizure of a smartphone. Adams and Reese attorneys conducted two initial classroom visits to give students a good basic understanding of Fourth Amendment principles.
The highlight of the program was the Capstone Event at the Adams and Reese office, which provided students with a hands-on application of their acquired knowledge in a moot court setting. The students came to the office and argued positions outlined in the 2014 U.S. Supreme Court case of Riley v. California, the seminal case for smart phone privacy expectations.
Guided by Adams and Reese attorneys, these groups prepared for oral arguments, presenting their positions, and engaging in deliberations before announcing their rulings. Post-ruling, an open forum facilitated discussions on the strengths and weaknesses of each case position. Students explored the challenges of advocating for positions that may differ from personal beliefs, delving into the complexities of personal bias in legal analysis.
Afterwards, LeFlore students were presented with certificates of completion, and Adams and Reese attorneys and staff also discussed their roles and careers within the firm.
Adams and Reese volunteers for this year’s program included attorneys Blake Richardson, Taylor Pecci, Blaize Naman, Jonathan Davis, Brandon Lawson, Caleb Diaz, Bradley Sanders, Reynolds Sorrell, paralegal Joy Massey, and legal assistant Vicki Clarke.