Inaugural APEX Program Draws Diverse Class of Future Law Students The program is designed to increase underrepresented college students' access to legal education.

By Law Communications
July 17, 2024

This summer, Washington and Lee University School of Law launched its inaugural pre-law program for college students interested in law school. The program, called APEX (Achieving Potential and Excellence at W&L Law), is designed to increase underrepresented college students’ access to legal education and law school by providing instruction covering the law school admissions process, LSAT preparation, law school classes, and legal career opportunities.

Admittance to the program, held virtually in June, was very competitive, with nearly 100 applicants vying for just 25 spots. The majority of the applicants were students of color, and geographic diversity was also notable, with applicants hailing from 19 different U.S. states.

The program was developed by Anna Fernandez, assistant director of community and recruitment, who works with both Admissions and Student Affairs to recruit underrepresented students and to mentor minority students during law school.

“I am incredibly proud to lead the Apex program, which plays a vital role in shaping the future of the legal profession by empowering underrepresented students,” said Fernandez. “Seeing these talented individuals gain the skills, confidence, and network they need to succeed in law school and beyond is truly inspiring.”

The four-day program provided attendees with a comprehensive and in-depth introduction to law school, with sessions covering the admissions process, financing a legal education, legal research and writing, and career opportunities for lawyers. The program also included a number of mock classes taught by members of the law school’s full-time faculty, including Professor Chris Seaman, Professor Karen Woody, Professor Beth Belmont, Professor Allen Trammell, Professor Allison Weiss, and Professor Carrie Stanton. Legal research faculty Andrew Christensen and Ashley Evans also participated.

W&L Law alumni contributed to the program as well, joining a panel on navigating the legal profession as a person of color. These alumni included Brian Buckmire ‘14L, a legal analyst for ABC; Ryan Redd ‘15L, assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas; Jasmine Redd ‘15L, an equal opportunity compliance associate with the Texas Tech University system; and Rosy Baeza ‘17L, an appellate and litigation associate at Boies Schiller Flexner in Miami.

For many attendees, such as Alex Cifuentes, participating in the APEX program help solidify their goal of attending law school.

“Being in the APEX program gave me an insight into my aspirations to attend law school,” said Cifuentes. “It was an absolute privilege to be a part of the program. The program coordination, student advocates, special guest speakers, and the professors all made this an amazing experience for me.”

Students who successfully complete the APEX program are guaranteed at least a $10,000 scholarship to W&L Law if they apply and are admitted. The second annual APEX program will be held virtually in June of 2025, after which the law school will consider transforming it to a residential program with students attending the program in person in Lexington.