The 250th Anniversary of the United States Constitution was the backdrop for the 2026 California Legal Pathways Collaborative (CLPC) Law Academy Symposium hosted at the UC Irvine School of Law on June 13th. Dozens of judges, attorneys, and educators joined with students for academic discussions and learning opportunities concerning the rule of law, ethics, activism, and civility.
Patricia Lee, CLPC Chair, welcomed the nearly 100 participants. “This day is designed for everyone in this room, from students to teachers to attorneys to judges,” said Lee. “We have an agenda filled with so many opportunities, and we thank each and every one of you for being here today.”
The Honorable Justice Thomas Delaney, 4th Appellate District, California Court of Appeals, was the keynote speaker addressing participants through a question and answer session, “From Student to Bar to Bench.” He shared stories of his experiences which led him to law school and into a legal career. “We absolutely need you to be here and to continue your education,” he told the high school, undergraduate, and law school students in attendance. “You need to be pushing the envelope and trying new things. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. That’s where you grow. Success is great, but failure is where you learn. You can do it. Nobody can ever control your effort. You are very independent. Think differently. Don’t be other people. Be yourself.”
Through collaboration with the California Lawyers Foundation (CLF) and underserved high schools across the state, CLPC supports 26 Law Academies, welcoming more than 3,100 motivated students each year who are eager to explore careers in law. For the 2025-26 academic year, CLPC proudly announced a record-breaking number of high school seniors graduating from the rigorous three-year Law Academy program. CLF, the educational and scholarship branch of the California Lawyers Association (CLA), recently reported nearly twice as many applicants for its 2026-27 student scholarships compared to the previous year. These achievements highlight the growing demand for academic and financial resources to foster the next generation of legal professionals.
“It really does take a village,” said Ruthe Ashley, CLPC Founder, during a presentation addressing CLF Board of Directors and Law Academy Advisory Council members. “It’s your participation and continuous collaboration that keeps our programs growing.” Ashley is widely recognized as a pioneer in advancing diversity in the state’s legal profession and for founding and creating the diversity pipeline in California. What began as Ashley’s vision and the establishment of six Law Academies in 2010, has grown to 26 throughout California in both major metropolitan areas and small communities.
Three educational tracks were provided for Symposium attendees, where many dignitaries shared insights and offered resources. UC Irvine Law School Dean, Austen Parrish, told students, “You are critical to the future of the legal system in California.” Frances Prizzia, CLPC Vice Chair, commented enthusiastically that, “One of the things I love the most about the California Legal Pathways Collaborative is that it brings together people in all stages of their education and legal careers”
One of the day’s significant activities focused on constitutional law. Justice Delaney and Justice Frederick Aguirre (Ret.), Orange County Superior Court, shared a video reenactment of Mendez v. Westminster, a landmark federal court in which five families representing four school districts and more than 5,000 students filed a class action lawsuit for forcing “Mexican children” to attend separate schools. The segregation of Mexican American students in California schools was declared unconstitutional by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in 1947. The case was a precursor to Brown v. Board of Education (1954).
CLF President, Jerrilynn Malana, gave a notable presentation on civics engagement, civility, and professional responsibility. “It is our duty to be good citizens and to do what is right. We must also protect the rule of law and defend the Constitution.”
Ashley Menguito, a 2017 graduate of the Jesse Bethel High School Law Academy in Vallejo, was a guest speaker for the Symposium’s “Alumni Proud” panel, speaking alongside undergraduate and attorneys who are all CLPC Law Academy graduates. She received her undergraduate education at UC San Diego and obtained two master’s degrees before entering the UC Davis School of Law. Graduating in May 2026, she is currently studying for the Bar Exam. “For me, the experience of being in the Law Academy was to be exposed to different paths of the law.” As a first generation college student who immigrated from the Philippines to the United States when she was just seven, she had a perspective not shared by most of her high school classmates.
Real-time examples of ongoing CLPC and CLF mentorship occurred throughout the course of the day. Judge Dan Healy, Supervising Judge of the Solano County Superior Court, gave Menguito advice about studying for the rigorous Bar Exam. “Spend some hours each day away from studying. It’s so intimidating. It’s important to figure out a way not to get overwhelmed.”
“This has been so much fun,” remarked one student. “I definitely want to go to college and law school,” noted another. “I’ve been accepted to a program, and I can’t wait to get started in law school,” said a graduate student attending the conference. “My parents tell me to go to college, but that’s where it stops. This is going to help me get there,” a high schooler was overheard speaking to a peer.
Many dignitaries volunteered their time to share their knowledge, participate in critical educational panels, and offer student mentorship. Among those participating were: the Honorable Dan Healy, Chair, Jesse Bethel Law Academy Advisory Council; the Honorable Judy Johnson (Ret.), Chair, DeAnza Law Academy Advisory Council, the Honorable Elizabeth Macias, Co-Chair Santa Ana Law Academy Advisory Council; Laura Wesley, Teach Democracy, Director of Programs; Herman Mitchell, Law Coordinator, Santa Ana Law Academy Advisory Council; the Honorable Pahuoa Lor and Ralph Vasquez, Bullard High School Law & Social Justice Academy; Honorable Selena Epley and Ray Beattie, Crawford High School Law Academy and Advisory Council; and, Dr. Reashon Villery, Principal, Crawford High School.
“it’s an exhilarating day,” said CLF President Malana. “CLPC is bringing together many facets. I think we all learn from each other in this environment and connect in lasting ways.”
To learn more about ways to become engaged, please visit: https://calawyersfoundation.org/