School of Law
School of Law
WELCOME TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION
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5:00–5:45 pm - Law School Lobby and Classrooms
Registration and UB LEADS Dinner Students will check in as they enter the Law School, pick up their name tags, and proceed to their designated classrooms. Dinner will be provided, offering an opportunity to connect with Introduction to Lawyering Skills (ILS) group members and upper-level UB LEADS Mentors, who will support students throughout Orientation and their first fall semester. UB LEADS Mentors will introduce the program and their role. The Orientation registration form should be completed by Sunday, August 2, to accommodate any dietary restrictions such as Kosher, vegan, or other needs. Requests received after this date may not be able to be accommodated.
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6:00–6:40 pm - Moot Courtroom
Students will be welcomed to UBalt Law by Dean LaVonda Reed, Interim Assistant Dean
of Student Affairs Stephen Cirino, and the Student Bar Association (SBA) President,
followed by the administration of the Honor Code Pledge with Associate Dean of Academic
Affairs Elizabeth Keyes, and the Honor Board Chair Welcome to UBalt Law - Moderated by Interim Assistant Dean Stephen Cirino - Welcome remarks from Dean LaVonda Reed - Remarks from SBA President Elissa Hook Honor Code Pledge - Administered by Associate Dean Liz Keyes and Honor Board Chair Katelin Carter |
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6:40–6:45 pm - Moot Courtroom
Class Photo |
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6:45–7:15 pm - Moot Courtroom
Academic Skills for Success Effective study skills are essential for law school success, yet students often find their undergraduate experiences have not prepared them for the demands of this new learning environment. In this session, you will learn about (1) features of law school that distinguish it from other educational settings; (2) the unique study skills required for law school; and (3) UBalt Law’s Academic Success Program. - Director of Academic Success Professor Marta Baffy |
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7:15– 7:30pm - Lower Level
Break Refreshments and snacks will be available in the lobby outside the Moot Courtroom. Students are encouraged to connect with peers, take a breather, and get ready for the final part of the evening. |
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7:30–8:20pm - Moot Courtroom
Core Expectations & Professionalism in the Study of Law
Understanding Your Responsibilities: Continuing Duty to Report and Maryland Residency Requirements - Assistant Dean for Admissions Michelle Gunter Thriving in the Law School Community: Culture, Expectations, and Student Conduct - Interim Assistant Dean Stephen Cirino AI Usage and the Law - Associate Dean Elizabeth Keyes |
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8:20–8:50 pm - Moot Courtroom
Campus Resources This session will introduce students to campus safety, the broader Baltimore community, and important Title IX reporting resources at UBalt Law.
- Tyrell K. Fleming, UMBPD Lieutenant
Welcome to Baltimore - Micah Mathis, Community Partnerships Coordinator, Central Baltimore Partnership Title IX and Reporting at UBalt Law - Assistant Dean of Students & Title IX Coordinator Pavan Purswani |
OPTIONAL: AFTERNOON LIBRARY RESOURCES AND BUILDING TOUR
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3:00–4:30 pm - Law School Offices and Law Library
OPTIONAL Law Library Open House Attire for the daytime is casual. |
LAW SCHOOL 101
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5:00–5:45 pm - Law School Lobby and Classrooms
UB LEADS Dinner Grab dinner on the first floor as you head back to your designated classroom for a
second night of guided discussion with your UB LEADS Mentors with an academic focus
to prepare you for your first week. Attire for the evening is business casual. |
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6:00–6:30pm - Classrooms
First-Year Faculty Introductions Meet with a faculty member from your fall teaching cohort. This session is an opportunity to learn more about their classroom expectations, approach to legal education, and advice for navigating your first semester as a 1L student. |
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6:45–7:50pm - Moot Courtroom
360° Law Student Support Students don’t have to go through their first year of law school alone! There are support systems built into UBalt Law to assist all students along the way. In this session, students will learn about library resources, career counseling, academic advising, registration, exams, accommodations, and how to become involved in student activities and organizations. - Law Career Development Office (LCDO) - Law Registrar and Exams - Law Library - Academic Advising - Overview of the Hybrid Program - Office of Student Affairs (OSA)
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7:50– 8:00pm - Lower Level
Break Refreshments and snacks will be served in the lobby outside the Moot Courtroom. |
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8:00–8:30 pm - Moot Courtroom
Themis Presentation - Director of Bar Success Professor Neal Kempler |
COLLEGE SPIRIT NIGHT, WELLNESS, & ALUM PANEL
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5:00–6:00 pm - Law School Lobby, Lower Level, and Classrooms
College Spirit Night, Dinner, & Resource Fair Grab dinner on the first floor as you head upstairs for a casual dinner with your new peers who share your undergraduate roots, either from the same school or the same region. It’s a great way to bond over college memories, swap stories, and start building your law school network.
Throughout the dinner hour, the Resource Fair is open on the Lower Level. Take this opportunity to grab helpful information and make connections with key offices and support services available in and outside the law school.
Resource Fair - The Bob Parsons Veteran’s Center - Office of the Bursar - Campus Safety / UMBPD - Central Baltimore Partnership - Office of Financial Aid - Student Assistance Program - Law Library - Law Career Development Office - AccessLex - Office of Bar Success - Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) -Lawyer Assistance Program Attire for the evening is your undergraduate school gear! Show off your undergrad gear or rep your college colors to keep the spirit going. |
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6:30–7:15 pm - Moot Courtroom
1L Wellness Maryland State Bar Association - Christopher Jennison, Esq., Young Lawyers Chair Professionalism in the Study and Practice of Law - Professor José Anderson
Student Assistance Program - Tony DuLaney, Case Manager Counseling Services - Manager of Evening Student & Advocacy Success Kris Vicencio The Mindful Law Student - Interim Assistant Dean Stephen Cirino |
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7:15–7:30 pm - Lower Level
Break Refreshments and snacks will be served in the lobby outside the Moot Courtroom |
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7:30–8:00 pm - Moot Courtroom
Lawyers as Leaders: Alumni Spotlight Here at UBalt Law, we take great pride in our large, engaged, and impressive network of alumni who have gone on to succeed and lead in practice, public service, on the bench, in the legal academy, industry, and beyond. Alumni will mentor and support you throughout your law school career and beyond. Listen to the unique stories of two alumni, Elizabeth Adams, J.D. ’99, and Tom Jones, J.D. ’99, as they discuss their careers and share perspective on the power of UBalt Law’s alumni network. - Moderated by our very own Associate Dean for Administration, Joy Gaslevic, J.D. ’99 |
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8:00–8:10 pm - Moot Courtroom
Get ready for Camp Puh’Tok! - Interim Assistant Dean Stephen Cirino |
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8:10–9:00pm - Law School Lobby, Lower Level, and Outdoor Patio
Social Reception Celebrate the beginning of your law school journey over refreshments with new classmates, UB LEADS mentors, faculty, and staff. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served. |
OPTIONAL: FIRST-GENERATION LAW STUDENT PANEL (VIRTUAL)
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2:00pm - Conducted via Zoom
OPTIONAL Attend the information session on Zoom This session brings together first-generation law students to share experiences, advice, and encouragement for navigating the first year of law school. Led by a faculty member, the conversation will feature upper-level students reflecting on what helped them find their footing and build community.
Zoom link will be provided to incoming students during Orientation |
LAWYERS AS LEADERS RETREAT
Your UBalt Law onboarding experience will culminate in a day of learning and fun at Camp Puh’tok in Monkton, Maryland. First-year students will have the opportunity to participate in our cutting-edge leadership retreat designed to build skills and community.
As a lawyer, you will most certainly be called upon to lead – and you will need to be prepared. Consistent with the UBalt Law Strategic Plan 2025-30, UBalt Law’s Lawyers as Leaders initiative reflects our strong commitment – starting on day one – to prepare lawyers who are not only ready to practice but ready to lead.
Leadership skills are fundamental to advancing justice, strengthening institutions, serving clients, and improving lives. They are critical to becoming successful lawyers and future practitioners.
Our Lawyers as Leaders Retreat will break students up into their small group sections to focus on several core leadership competencies, including teamwork, communication, problem solving, and relationship building. While half the class is working with trained leadership facilitators in small group sessions on the topics above, the other half will convene in the Main Lodge to learn additional key leadership skills, including the importance of embracing and celebrating our differences and helping to build a positive culture and climate. Every part of the law school experience is enhanced by diversity of people and diversity of ideas. We have designed this workshop to start important culture, climate, and civil discourse conversations early in your law school career to make you better peers, future attorneys, and leaders.
Attire for the day is active warm-weather apparel. Closed-toe shoes are required.
Activities can be accessible for all ability types. If you require any physical accommodation,
please let us know ahead of time at osa@ubalt.edu
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8:30–9:15 am - Law School Lobby, Lower Level, and Moot Courtroom
Gather in the Moot Courtroom in the Law School to get an overview for the day and connect with your UB LEADS small group Peers and Mentors. Breakfast is provided. |
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9:15–10:00 am - Charter Buses to Camp Puh’Tok
Board charter buses outside the law school with your UB LEADS small group and head north to Camp Puh’tok for the Leadership Retreat. |
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10–10:30 am - Camp Puh’Tok: The Council Ring
Receive an overview of the day from the OSA Team and welcome messages from Dean Reed and Camp Puh’tok Executive Director (and UBalt Law alum), Alexi Grote, before activities begin. |
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10:30 am–12:00 pm - Camp Puh'tok: Various Locations
Half the class will head out across the Camp to take on the challenge exercises with trained facilitators and your UB LEADS Mentors, while the other half will stay in the Main Lodge for a workshop. |
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12:00–1:00 pm - Main Lodge
Lunch break and refreshments with your classmates! |
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1:00–2:30 pm - Camp Puh'tok: Various Locations Sections will flip activities from the morning and take on the challenge course or the workshop in the afternoon. |
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2:30–3:00 pm - Camp Puh’Tok: The Council Ring
Return to the Council Ring for a wrap up of the day and individual small debriefs. |
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3:15–4:30 pm - Charter Buses to Law School
Board the buses back to campus and celebrate the end of Orientation Week! |
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Wed 8/19 - 12:00–1:15pm - Moot Courtroom
Save the date – more details to come |
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Wed 8/26 - 12:00–1:15pm - Moot Courtroom
Save the date – more details to come |
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Thurs 8/27 - 4:00–6:00pm - Law School Lobby
Student Activities Fair |
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Fri 8/28 - 12:00–1:00pm OR 5:00-6:00pm Conducted via Zoom
Save the date – Zoom link will be provided to incoming students during Orientation
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Wed 9/2 - 12:00–1:15pm - Moot Courtroom
Save the date – more details to come |
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Wed 9/9 - 12:00–1:15pm - Moot Courtroom
Save the date – more details to come |
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Wed 9/16 - 12:00–1:15pm - Moot Courtroom
Save the date – more details to come |
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Wed 8/19 - 7:45-9:00pm - Moot Courtroom
Save the date – more details to come |
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Wed 8/26 - 7:45-9:00pm - Moot Courtroom
Save the date – more details to come |
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Thurs 8/27 - 12:00–1:00pm OR 5:00-6:00pm Conducted via Zoom
Save the date – Zoom link will be provided to incoming students during Orientation |
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Thurs 8/27 - 4:00–6:00pm - Law School Lobby
Student Activities Fair |
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Wed 9/2 - 7:45-9:00pm - Conducted via Zoom
Save the date – Zoom link will be provided to incoming students during Orientation |
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Wed 9/9 - 7:45-9:00pm - Conducted via Zoom
Save the date – Zoom link will be provided to incoming students during Orientation |
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Wed 9/16 - 7:45-9:00pm - Conducted via Zoom
Save the date – Zoom link will be provided to incoming students during Orientation |