UNM pre-law students speak at Albuquerque Bar Association

University of New Mexico students Mia Dragone and Elijah Cage got an opportunity that few undergraduate students do when they presented before the Albuquerque Bar Association as part of a continuing law education discussion on civil rights in early December.

The opportunity was organized by UNM professor Lawrence Jones, who moderated the discussion, which was led by the two students in addition to attorney Cody S. Rogers.

"Some of the most admirable legal works can be found among pre-law students," Jones, who selected the two for the opportunity, said. "Unlike new attorneys and even law students, pre-law students like Mia and Elijah have not yet had the added benefit of any formal law school training but nonetheless demonstrate incredibly high intellect and the strong courage and self-confidence to present in a public forum, fueled by energetic optimism and a genuine drive to make a difference in this world. That drive, coupled with the students' preparation and hard work, can result in programs such as this one which can make the UNM community very proud."

The two were selected due to their standout work in Jones' constitutional law class and prepared for the presentation in collaboration with both Jones and Rogers.

The opportunity arose from a final essay I had written for class," Cage said. "I never thought that I would get such a high grade on it that it would lead to opportunities like this. For me and what I'm trying to do in law and immigration law, it was something that I immediately had to say yes to."

The event provided an opportunity for the students to put the knowledge that they've gained in the classroom to work in a different environment as they led the discussion in front of the room.

"When you're in law school or pre-law, you're learning in a vacuum," Christie Geter, president of the ABQBA said. "Making these connections is really helpful because you get to apply your learning in ways and talk about them conversationally, as opposed to just being put on the spot. Sometimes the pressure (of the classroom) doesn't solidify points as much as having discussions about it."

The presentation qualified as an equity in justice continuing education credit for those in attendance, which fulfilled the State Bar of New Mexico's EIJ requirements for the year.

Cage made sure to take as much as he could from those in attendance.

"Just to say that I've participated in such opportunities," he said. "On top of that, being able to engage with an audience of people with an expansive amount of knowledge of rights and constitutional law and soaking in the knowledge and information that they share."

Dragone said one of the most impactful parts of the opportunity was the chance to build relationships with Cage, Jones and Rogers as well as being able to connect with those in attendance.

After spending the summer interning at a law firm in London, this also served as a reinforcement that the work she has been doing is paying off.

"It's really great, I think it's also an affirming experience because I work so hard in school and I'm doing a lot of activities and things," she said. "Getting to put that to the test and be able to present something and put myself out of my comfort zone. This was a super amazing experience; I really enjoyed it."