The Kenneth F. Kahn School of Law at High Point University welcomed its largest incoming class in school history as 86 students began their law school journey during orientation.
A centerpiece of the day was a luncheon and panel discussion featuring three distinguished members of the legal profession: North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Julee Flood, former Chief North Carolina Business Court Judge Mike Robinson, and Carolyn Dubay, Chief Counsel for the Federal Judiciary Rules Committee Staff. Dean Mark Martin, Founding Dean of High Point University Law School and former Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, moderated the discussion, titled “Making the Most of Law School.”
The panel provided High Point Law’s newest students with a firsthand look at the legal profession from leaders serving in some of the most prominent legal institutions. Their discussion highlighted the breadth of opportunities available to attorneys and the importance of professionalism, preparation, integrity, resilience, collaboration, and service throughout a legal career.
For students beginning their legal education, hearing directly from accomplished judges and a senior federal judiciary attorney offered an early opportunity to connect the principles they will study in the classroom with professional realities.
Judge Robinson encouraged students to approach law school as they would a job by developing self-discipline, taking their responsibilities seriously, and showing up each day prepared, engaged and interested in their work. Judge Robinson also encouraged students to seek out and surround themselves with people who demonstrate integrity and to remain mindful of the ways others may attempt to get ahead. Building a successful legal career, he suggested, requires not only strong legal skills but also a commitment to doing the right thing.
Carolyn Dubay offered a similar perspective, explaining that after law school, she came to better appreciate the adversarial nature of the legal profession. At the same time, she noted that people can make honest mistakes and encouraged students to approach their professional relationships with perspective and understanding.
Judge Flood, Judge Robinson, and Ms. Dubay all emphasized the value of collaboration and building meaningful relationships with classmates. They encouraged students to make friends and develop relationships with people they can trust—people who have their best interests at heart, demonstrate integrity, encourage them, and celebrate their successes. Those relationships can become an important source of support throughout law school and, ultimately, throughout students’ legal careers.
The panel was part of a first day designed to introduce students to the people, opportunities and professional expectations that will shape their experience at High Point Law. Dean Martin welcomed the incoming class and shared his perspective on the legal profession and the role High Point Law seeks to play in preparing future attorneys and leaders. The arrival of 86 students marks an important moment in the continued growth of High Point Law. The record-setting class joins a law school focused on providing students with opportunities to learn from accomplished legal professionals and to develop the skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. Dean Mark Martin commented,
“This is a historic week at High Point Law, welcoming such a large class to our beautiful new building. I am so thankful to our panelists, Judge Flood, Judge Robinson and Carolyn Dubay, for speaking to our students and offering them such sound and wise advice at the start of law school. We are excited to have our new class of 2029 at High Point Law!”