Orientation 2025

5-6 pm 
Law School Lobby and lower level 

Registration and UB LEADS Dinner 

Check in at the law school atrium, pick up your name tag, and head to your designated classroom. Dinner is provided with an opportunity to get to know your ILS small group classmates led by upper-level UB LEADS Mentors who will assist you throughout Orientation and through the fall semester.  

Please complete the Orientation  registration form by August 4, and be sure to indicate if you have dietary restrictions (i.e. Kosher, vegan). Dietary requests received after this date may not be able to be accommodated. 

Attire for the evening is professional, which means students should dress as they would feel comfortable if representing a client in the courtroom. 

6-6:45 pm 
Moot Courtroom

Welcome to the University of Baltimore 
 

•  Moderated by Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Paul Manrique 
• Welcome remarks from Dean LaVonda Reed 

Welcome to the UB Law Community 

• Student Bar Association President, Alan Young
• Diversity Council Director, Sofia Dirie 
• Honor Board Member, Starla Santana 
• Administration of Honor Code Pledge, Associate Dean Liz Keyes 

**Prior required “e-signing” of the Honor Code Pledge 

6:45 pm 
Moot Courtroom

Class Photo 
Capture the excitement of a photo op with the entering class of 2025!   

6:45-7 pm 
Moot Courtroom

UB LEADS (Leadership, Ethics, Academics, Diversity, Service) 

• Introduction to UB LEADS program, Associate Dean Paul Manrique 

7-7:30 pm  
Moot Courtroom

Featured Speaker Spotlight,  Del. Malcolm Ruff, J.D. ‘12, and Kristen Mack, J.D. ‘17

• Moderated by Associate Dean for Administration, Joy Gaslevic 
• Here at UB Law, we take great pride in our outstanding network of engaged attorneys, judges, and supporters – many of whom you’ll get to know during your years at the law school. Listen to the unique story of two such featured speakers, and their journeys to the top of the legal profession in Maryland!  

7:30-9:00 pm 
Law School Lobby  

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 as well. 

11 am  

12 pm 

Law School Offices and Law Library 

Library Resources and Building Tours of the Law School (Optional) 
Tours begin at 11:00 am and 12pm noon. Students will learn the best ways to utilize library services and then be led through the law school’s physical spaces. 

Sign up is required via the form below…  

Guided Tours Registration 

Attire for the day is casual.   

5-6 pm 
First-Floor Atrium & Classrooms 

UB LEADS Dinner 

Grab dinner in the first-floor atrium, then 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 tonight is business casual.   

6-6:30pm 

Law School Classrooms 

First-Year Faculty Introductions 

• Meet one faculty member from your teaching cohort this fall and learn about their classroom expectations and insights for your first semester as a law student. Meet a professor from your fall teaching cohort and hear about their classroom expectations, their approach to legal education, and tips for succeeding in your first semester. 

6:30-7:20 pm 
Moot Courtroom

Core Expectations & Professionalism in the Study of Law   
This combined session will help set the tone for your transition to law school, emphasizing responsibility, integrity, and professional identity formation:  

• Understanding Your Responsibilities: Continuing Duty to Report and Maryland Residency Requirements – Assistant Dean Michelle Gunter 
• Thriving in the Law School Community: Culture, Expectations, and Student Conduct – Associate Dean Paul Manrique 
• Professionalism in the Study and Practice of Law – Professor José Anderson
• AI Usage and the Law – Associate Dean Elizabeth Keyes 

7:20-7:50 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) UB Law’s Academic Success Program.     

Presented by Director of Academic Success, Professor Marta Baffy 

7:50-8:10 pm 
Lobby outside Moot Courtroom

BREAK 

Refreshments and snacks will be served in the lobby outside the Moot Courtroom. Snacks and refreshments available. Connect with peers, take a breather, and get ready for the final part of the evening. 

8:10-9:00pm 

Location: Varies by Program & Section 

360 Student Support 

You don’t have to walk through your first year of law school alone! There are support systems built into UB Law to assist all students along the way. In this session, you will learn about library resources, career counseling, academic advising, registration, exams, accommodations, and how to become involved in student activities and organizations.   

• Evening Students – Room 202
• Overview of the Hybrid Program
• Law Library
• Academic Advising
• Student Involvement
• Law Career Development Office
• Law Registrar and Exams
• Full-Time Day Students – Moot Courtroom
• Law Career Development Office
• Law Registrar and Exams
• Law Library
• Academic Advising
• Student Involvement 

Presented by: 
Law Library Director, CJ Pipins 
Assistant Director, Registration & Academic Planning, Katie Rolfes 
Director of Student Support, Erin Brady 
Student Affairs Coordinator, Abraham Rodriguez 
Administrative Assistant, Office of Student Affairs, Dakota David 

5-6:00 pm 
Law School Lobby, Outdoor Patio, Lower Level, and 12th Floor 

College Spirit Night, Dinner, and Resource Fair  

Resource Fair attendees: 

• Bob Parsons Veteran’s Center
• Bursar
• Campus Safety / University of Maryland Baltimore, Police Dept (UMBPD)
• Financial Aid
• Student Assistance Program
• Law Library
• Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion 

Kick off the evening with a quick stop at our Resource Fair to meet key offices and support services both in and outside the law school. This is your chance to grab helpful info and make connections! 

Then head upstairs for a casual dinner with new classmates who share your undergrad 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. 

Show your school pride! Wear your undergrad gear or rep your college colors to keep the spirit going. 

6-6:30 pm 
Moot Courtroom

Campus Resources 

• An Urban Campus and Public Safety – Jason Kunz, UMBPD Lieutenant 
• Welcome to Baltimore – Micah Mathis, Community Partnerships Coordinator, Central Baltimore Partnership 
• Title IX and Reporting at UB Law – Tiwana Barnes, Title IX Coordinator and Director of DEI 

6:30-7:15 pm 
Moot Courtroom

1L Wellness 

• Student Assistance Program – Stephen Mogar, Case Manager
• Lawyer Assistance Program – Mark Muffoletto, Owner/Attorney, Law Offices of Mark J. Muffoletto
• Counseling Services – Kris Vicencio, Manager, Evening Students and Advocacy Success
• The Mindful Law Student – Associate Dean Paul Manrique  

BREAK 

7:15-7:30 pm 

Refreshments and snacks will be served in the lobby outside the Moot Courtroom 

7:30-8 pm 
Moot Courtroom

Celebrating Diversity at UB Law 

• Stephen Cirino – Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging  

8:00-9:00 pm 
Moot Courtroom

Civil Discourse in the Study and Practice of Law 

• Judge Geoffrey Hengerer, Administrative Judge, Baltimore City District Court
• Marina Makkar, Assistant State’s Attorney, Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office
• J. Annie Myers, Attorney, Cochran and Chhabra, LLC 

12:00pm 
Conducted via Zoom 

Commuter Student Support Panel (virtual) 
Many of our full-time and evening students come to Baltimore for law school, but work and live outside the area. If you plan on commuting to UB for class, join this interactive discussion with faculty, staff, and current students who have figured out how to make the commute work for them. Best practices, preferred train times to DC, and easiest drive times will be shared, among other tips and tricks! 

https://ubalt.zoom.us/j/95383787602 

2:00pm 
Conducted via Zoom 

First-Gen Student Panel (virtual) 

Are you a student who is the first in your family to go to law school or go to college? Are you interested in hearing from other First-Gen students who have successfully navigated their first year in law school? If so, then this is the session for you. A faculty member who manages a daily commute will lead an interactive student panel discussion with both upper level and incoming students. 

https://ubalt.zoom.us/j/3927609726 

The capstone event to the UB LEADS onboarding experience culminates at Camp Puh’tok in Monkton, Maryland, where first-year students will have the opportunity to participate in our cutting-edge Leadership Retreat and Diversity Workshop! 

Unlike the business world, it’s not often you hear lawyers talk about leadership and how to develop young attorneys to run their organizations. At UB Law, we believe this is a critical component to becoming a successful law student and future practitioner. Our Leadership Retreat will break students up into their small group sections to focus on several main topic areas, including teamwork, communication, problem solving, and relationship building. 

While half the class is working with trained leadership facilitators in small group sessions, the other half will be working on a Diversity Workshop in the main lodge. 
 
Every part of the law school experience is enhanced by diversity of people and diversity of ideas. We embrace and celebrate our differences at UB Law, and have designed this workshop to start these important conversations early in your law school career to make you better classmates … and future attorneys. 
 
Attire for the day is comfortable warm-weather active apparel. Closed-toe shoes are required. Please note that all activities will be accessible for all ability types.  If you require any physical accommodations not previously submitted via the Orientation Registration form, please let us know at osa@ubalt.edu. 
 

8:30-9:15 am 
Law School Building 

Gather in the Moot Courtroom in the Law School to get an overview for the day and connect with your UB LEADS small group classmates and Mentors 

9:15-10 am     
Charter Buses 

Board charter buses outside the law school with your UB LEADS small group and head north to Camp Puh’tok for the Leadership Retreat and Diversity Workshop 

10-10:30 am  
The Council Ring 

Receive a day’s overview from the OAA Team and welcome from Camp Puh’tok Executive Director (and UB Law alum), Alexi Grote, before activities begin. 

10:30 am-12 pm   
Camp Puh'tok Various Locations 

Half the class will head out 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 Diversity Workshop. 

12-1 pm   
Main Lodge 

Lunch break and refreshments with your classmates! 

1-2:30 pm 
Camp Puh'tok Various Locations 

Sections will flip activities from the morning and take on the challenge course or the Diversity Workshop in the afternoon. 

2:30-3 pm 
The Council Ring 

Return to the Council Ring for a wrap up of the day and individual small debriefs. 

3:15-4:30 pm 
Charter Buses 

Board the buses back to campus and celebrate the end of Orientation Week! 

Students are also required to attend weekly Continuing Orientation sessions for the first five weeks of the fall semester.  
 
The schedule for Continuing Orientation can be found here.