Testimonials from St. John’s Law
Students
The Street Law clinic is the equivalent of taking seminar classes
on Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure and Constitutional Law.
Whereas the typical law school class forces you to learn the
black-letter law, Street Law allows you to analyze the competing
policy interests behind these laws. To get in front of a
class and present these concepts is extremely rewarding. What
is even more rewarding is watching as the students absorb these
concepts and apply them to real world examples.
~ Justin Grossman, 3L
The students at Jamaica High School have forced me look at
certain laws and legal concepts in their real settings. Their
questions have forced me to apply what I have learned in law school
to common everyday scenarios, and because of this, I have a greater
understanding and appreciation of how the law affects our everyday
lives. Also, through the in-depth preparation of my lesson
plans, I have gained an enormous understanding of the subject
matter that I was responsible for teaching, an understanding that
has not only helped me in my own law school classes, but also in
answering hypothetical scenarios during job interviews.
Oftentimes, just being able to think out loud increases
comprehension, but to have to research, explain, and persuade
another person is much more effective in forming a true
understanding of the subject matter.
~ Christine Furey, 3L
The Street Law Externship Program is a great combination
of community outreach and legal application. Preparing
lessons to keep ninth grade students engaged was challenging and
forced me to gain a deeper and more basic understanding of many
principles of criminal procedure and constitutional
law.
~ Maggie Ward, 3L
Testimonials from Jamaica High
School Students
I feel the St. John’s teachers were a benefit to my learning of the
law. Before this class, I never wanted to be a lawyer; now I
am considering it.
~ G.D., 11th Grader
I think the program Jamaica High School has with St.
John’s was very great. I was able to experience and learn
things about the law for the first time in a different way.
~ G.H., 9th Grader
I think having the St. John’s students come to our class was
really good. It was a fun experience having a soon-to-be
lawyer teach us about different amendments and laws. I think
the students were incredible. They taught us as if they were
professional teachers for years.
~ C.M., 9th Grader
I think it was good to have the St. John’s students here.
They taught me a lot of things I never knew before. Even one
of them helped me get over my fear of participating in class.
Now I can.
~ C.N., 9th Grader