National Black Pre-Law Conference Presents Vermont Law School Professor
with the 2019 Legal Education Access and Diversity Champion Award
Shirley A. Jefferson JD’86, associate dean of student affairs and diversity and associate professor of law at Vermont Law School (VLS), was honored at the 15th Annual National Black Pre-Law Conference on Saturday, Nov. 9, with the Legal Education Access and Diversity Champion Award. Jefferson was lauded by the awards committee for her “outstanding commitment and service in helping aspiring Black lawyers better understand what it takes to be successful applicants, law students, and lawyers.”
Jefferson, who joined the law school administration in 1999, also serves on the faculty and teaches Race and the Law. Prior to joining VLS, Jefferson served as general counsel for the United Black Fund, Inc., associate counsel in the law office of Wilhelmina J. Rolark, and a legislative assistant on the Committee on Judiciary to Council Member Wilhelmina J. Rolark.
“I am honored to be recognized with this award and even more honored to work with, and provide guidance to, so many aspiring lawyers,” said Jefferson. “And I am proud of the mission-driven work done at Vermont Law School and by our alumni. We are committed to developing a strong, diverse community of students who are prepared to take on the challenges of our global society.”
In addition to Jefferson’s award, the National Black Pre-Law Conference recognized Vermont Law School with the Outstanding Law School Diversity Outreach Award for “demonstrating a sustained commitment to reaching out to Black prospective applicants through participation in the Law Fair 15 years in a row.” Vermont Law School was the only educational institution recognized with two awards this year.
VLS students come from 47 states and territories, and several countries, including Canada, China, Guam, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Puerto Rico, and Thailand. The 2019 fall entering juris doctor class is 53 percent female and 31 percent people of color. About 95 percent of students receive some form of financial assistance, including VLS grants and scholarships.
The school’s diversity reflects its mission to “educate students in a diverse community that fosters personal growth and that enables them to attain outstanding professional skills and high ethical values with which to serve as lawyers and environmental and other professionals in an increasingly technological and interdependent global society.”
For more information about student affairs and diversity at VLS, email tjohnson@vermontlaw.edu or call 802-831-1281. Or visit the Admissions Office webpage at www.vermontlaw.edu/admissions.
Caption: Shirley A. Jefferson JD’86, associate dean for student affairs and diversity and associate professor of law at Vermont Law School, has been awarded the 2019 Legal Education Access and Diversity Champion Award by the National Black Pre-Law Conference. (Photo by Jay Ericson/Ericson Photography)