Centennial Honors College

21st Annual Pre-Law Symposium | October 10, 2023 from 5-7 PM
University Union Brattain Lounge

Table Fair at Pre-Law Symposium
Pre-Law Symposium Panel
Keynote Address
Sponsored and organized by the Centennial Honors College, the Annual Pre-Law Symposium provides an excellent opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to learn about law school while being introduced to important legal issues by current law students who are WIU alumni and practicing law professionals. The event is open and free to the WIU community. Students interested in the study of law and those in classes addressing legal and ethical issues are encouraged to attend.
 Schedule

5:00-5:45 pm | Law School Table Fair
6:00 pm | Keynote Speaker, WIU Alumnus, Justice Mary K. O'Brien
6:20 | Distinguished Faculty and Alumni Panel
6:55| Closing Remarks

 

Law School Table Fair

Recruiters from the following law schools are scheduled to attend:

Chicago-Kent College of Law, Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Northern Illinois University College of Law, Saint Louis University School of Law, Southern Illinois University School of Law-Carbondale, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, University of Illinois College of Law-Urbana, University of Missouri School of Law, University of St. Thomas School of Law-Minneapolis, University of Wisconsin Law School

 



 Keynote Speaker
Justice Mary K. O'Brien

Mary K. O’Brien was elected to the Illinois Supreme Court on November 8, 2022 after serving nearly 19 years as an Appellate Court Judge for the 3rd Appellate District which included McDonough County.

 Justice O’Brien is a 1986 graduate of Western Illinois University with a degree in Political Science and a Minor in Public Administration.  While attending WIU, O’Brien was active in student life, as a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority.  O’Brien served on the Panhellenic Council, the Council on Student Activities Funds, was elected as an At Large Senator to the Student Government Association and was a member of the 1985 Homecoming Court.

Following graduation, O’Brien attended the University of Illinois College of Law.  O’Brien practiced law in the Will, Grundy and Kankakee County areas and was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002.  Her work in the Illinois General Assembly included increasing funding for capital needs for Western.  In 2004 she received the prestigious Alumni of the Year Award from Western Illinois University.  



 Panel Discussion

Moderator
Victoria Smith– Western Illinois University Student Legal Advocate

Panelists

Abigal Broze-Marquette Uniersity Law School; WIU, Bachelor of Arts, 2017
Hayden Golemon– Northwestern Pritzker School of Law; WIU, Bachelor of Arts, 2020
Nashuba Hudson, Indiana University Maurer School of Law; WIU, Bachelor of Arts, 2020
Arsenio Mims, University Missouri School of Law; WIU, Bachelor of Arts, 2011
Alison Vawter, Columbus School of Law; WIU, Bachelor of Arts, 1987