July 2024 Minority Supplemental Bar Review Program

The purpose of the Minority Supplemental Bar Review Program is to increase the diversity of the Delaware Bar and to enhance the success of minority applicants on the bar examination. It is designed to provide technical assistance and support to any law school graduate who is registered to take the Delaware Bar Examination and who has taken or will be enrolling in a commercial substantive bar review course. The Program does not compete with commercial bar review courses. It focuses on the identification and teaching of bar examination essay test-taking skills, meant to aid in the applicant's substantive bar review preparation. This includes mental preparation skills to enhance bar examination performance. The Program is carried out through a series of lectures, discussion groups, one-on-one interactions, coaching, intensive practice essay exams and critiques, and review of questions and answers to previous Delaware bar exams. Members of the Delaware Bar volunteer to serve as teachers, mentors, and coaches. The Program focuses on time and stress management, analytical skills, writing style for the bar examination, and answer structure. While some substantive Delaware law will be covered, it is not the focus of the Program. Attendance and participation at each session is expected.

The Multicultural Judges and Lawyers (“MJL”) Section of the Delaware State Bar Association sponsors and administers the Program. The MJL Section’s Vice-Chair of Law School Outreach is responsible for planning the Program, including establishing the Program schedule, circulating registration forms and choosing and copying past exams for use in the evening sessions. The Vice-Chair also chooses and assigns a mentor for each Program participant, selects graders for practice exams, and attends each Program session. Members of the MJL Section and former Program participants volunteer to serve as guest speakers, mentors, and graders.

There are two major rules to which we adhere to with this Program. First, attendance is crucial. Those who are absent from more than one class may be asked to withdraw from the course. Second, enrollment in a commercial bar review course is required in to participate because this is a supplemental bar review course. If you cannot comply with these rules, please do not attempt to register for the course. Due to logistical constraints, the MJL can provide additional test time for Program participants requiring accommodations during only the Saturday simulation session, as requested.

The Program meets every Thursday evening for nine consecutive weeks prior to the bar exam and culminates with a Saturday, four-essay simulation session two weeks before the exam. Attendance and participation is expected and required. The cost to Program participants is a minimal $150.00.

If you plan on taking the Delaware Bar Examination in 2024 and would like more information about the Program, please send an email to Joshua B. Brooks (brooks@lrclaw.com). Registration for the Program opens at 12:00 p.m. (ET) on May 2, 2024 and will close no later than 12:00 p.m. (ET) on May 9, 2024. A limited number of seats are available, and registration is on a first come, first served basis.

INFORMATION ON THIS YEAR’S PROGRAM IS AS FOLLOWS:

PROGRAM DATES: May 16, 2024 through July 18, 2024. Thursday classes start promptly at 6:00 p.m. (ET). The Saturday class will start at 9:00 a.m. (ET).

LOCATION: Widener University Delaware Law School, 4601 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803, Room: Polishook 403.

REGISTRATION: May 2, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. (ET) through May 9, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. (ET), or until capacity is reached.

COST: $150.00 (non-refundable)

Due to generous sponsorships from the Delaware legal community, the MJL is excited to announce financial need-based scholarships for the 2024 Program. The scholarships are for those who are experiencing financial hardships and will cover the cost of the MJL Program fee ($150.00). In order to apply, please submit a statement (no more than 500 words) addressing the following:

• Why you want to participate in the Minority Supplemental Bar Review Program;

• How participating in the Program will impact you;

• Briefly share your financial hardships; and

• Your commitment to the MJL Section.

Please email all scholarship statements to suppbarreview.mjl@gmail.com by 5 p.m. (ET) on April 26, 2024.

PROGRAM DATES:

May 16, 2024 (Thursday)

May 23, 2024 (Thursday)

May 30, 2024 (Thursday)

June 6, 2024 (Thursday)

June 13, 2024 (Thursday)

June 20, 2024 (Thursday)

June 27, 2024 (Thursday)

July 11, 2024 (Thursday)

July 18, 2024 (Thursday)

July 20, 2024 (Saturday)**

**Accommodations for additional test time available

Questions to: Joshua B. Brooks (brooks@lrclaw.com)