from Wayne State Law
For three weeks this summer, eight undergraduate students walked the halls of Wayne Law with one clear mission: to discover who they could become in the legal profession.
The Damon J. Keith Pre-Law Summer Institute, which ran from Jun. 15 through Jul. 2, brought together four students from Wayne State University and four from historically Black colleges and universities: Spelman College, Tennessee State University, and North Carolina A&T State University. The intensive program paired rigorous application preparation with something equally vital: exposure to the full spectrum of legal careers available to them.
“The structure has remained focused on getting them application ready and competitive, while also exposing them to different ways that they can take their legal career,” said Veronica Beltran, assistant director of student engagement and culture. “I wasn’t aware as an undergraduate that you could be a professor or work on the prosecution and defense sides. Trying to expose students to that early on excites them, inspires them, motivates them.”
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Witnessing justice in action
The program’s marquee experience was a first for DJK participants: a visit to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Students observed three hearings spanning sentencing, check-ins, and an active trial. They met with law clerks, toured the $1 million courtroom, and encountered Judge Jonathan Gray, himself a former clerk to Judge Damon J. Keith.
Back at Wayne Law, the program brought together speakers who embody the breadth of legal practice. Valerie Newman, deputy chief and director of the Conviction Integrity Unit at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and a Wayne Law alumna, discussed her trajectory. So did Professor Maya Watson, director of the Business and Community Law Clinic at Wayne Law, also an alumna. Current Wayne Law students rounded out the conversation, representing student organizations and offering perspectives on life as a law student.
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Carrying forward Judge Keith’s legacy
New this summer was a screening of the Damon J. Keith documentary, followed by a presentation from Professor Peter J. Hammer, director of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights. Hammer, who worked closely with Judge Keith and his family, anchored the program in its namesake’s enduring values.
“For me, trying to weave in Judge Keith’s presence, which I still feel is in the law school, was something I definitely changed this summer,” Beltran said. “No matter what students choose to do with their legal career, it’s for the betterment of your community, to advance and advocate for a more equitable, just, and fair society.”
—————
From mock trial to law school
Throughout the three weeks, students sharpened their LSAT skills through The Princeton Review, with continued support available after the program ends. The capstone was a mock trial competition on Jul. 2, where students put their newly acquired courtroom knowledge to the test.
2026 mock trial competition winners: Zaria Jackson; Karla Alvarado; Joshua Edwards; and Jordan Edwards.
Best oral advocates: Zaria Jackson and Joshua Edwards.
As the program closed with a reception at the Damon J. Keith Center, Judge Gray reflected on the students’ journey and its connection to Judge Keith’s legacy. Each participant left with more than new skills. All received a $500 scholarship toward law school and, more importantly, a clearer vision of the advocate they might become.
For three weeks this summer, eight undergraduate students walked the halls of Wayne Law with one clear mission: to discover who they could become in the legal profession.
The Damon J. Keith Pre-Law Summer Institute, which ran from Jun. 15 through Jul. 2, brought together four students from Wayne State University and four from historically Black colleges and universities: Spelman College, Tennessee State University, and North Carolina A&T State University. The intensive program paired rigorous application preparation with something equally vital: exposure to the full spectrum of legal careers available to them.
“The structure has remained focused on getting them application ready and competitive, while also exposing them to different ways that they can take their legal career,” said Veronica Beltran, assistant director of student engagement and culture. “I wasn’t aware as an undergraduate that you could be a professor or work on the prosecution and defense sides. Trying to expose students to that early on excites them, inspires them, motivates them.”
—————
Witnessing justice in action
The program’s marquee experience was a first for DJK participants: a visit to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Students observed three hearings spanning sentencing, check-ins, and an active trial. They met with law clerks, toured the $1 million courtroom, and encountered Judge Jonathan Gray, himself a former clerk to Judge Damon J. Keith.
Back at Wayne Law, the program brought together speakers who embody the breadth of legal practice. Valerie Newman, deputy chief and director of the Conviction Integrity Unit at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and a Wayne Law alumna, discussed her trajectory. So did Professor Maya Watson, director of the Business and Community Law Clinic at Wayne Law, also an alumna. Current Wayne Law students rounded out the conversation, representing student organizations and offering perspectives on life as a law student.
—————
Carrying forward Judge Keith’s legacy
New this summer was a screening of the Damon J. Keith documentary, followed by a presentation from Professor Peter J. Hammer, director of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights. Hammer, who worked closely with Judge Keith and his family, anchored the program in its namesake’s enduring values.
“For me, trying to weave in Judge Keith’s presence, which I still feel is in the law school, was something I definitely changed this summer,” Beltran said. “No matter what students choose to do with their legal career, it’s for the betterment of your community, to advance and advocate for a more equitable, just, and fair society.”
—————
From mock trial to law school
Throughout the three weeks, students sharpened their LSAT skills through The Princeton Review, with continued support available after the program ends. The capstone was a mock trial competition on Jul. 2, where students put their newly acquired courtroom knowledge to the test.
2026 mock trial competition winners: Zaria Jackson; Karla Alvarado; Joshua Edwards; and Jordan Edwards.
Best oral advocates: Zaria Jackson and Joshua Edwards.
As the program closed with a reception at the Damon J. Keith Center, Judge Gray reflected on the students’ journey and its connection to Judge Keith’s legacy. Each participant left with more than new skills. All received a $500 scholarship toward law school and, more importantly, a clearer vision of the advocate they might become.
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