Our goal is to develop a welcoming community for our members and offer academic, professional, and social support to navigate law school and future careers.

"Most people know that first-generation students have a gap in resources when compared to their classmates. As a first-generation student, I have often felt the divide, so I am excited that 1GP now exists to provide Duke Law first-generation grads the tools needed to effectively build a bridge across that gap."

– Jennifer Thelusma, 1GP Student Advisor

Mentoring and Relationships

We connect you in your 1L year with faculty, upper-level students, and alumni mentors to build relationships and develop a network that will continue through law school and beyond.

Professional Development

We offer programming to develop your unique first-generation professional narrative and integrate your experiences into effective networking and interviewing.

Practical Experiences

We provide opportunities for real-life perspectives from the legal industry, including meeting professionals and judges, and on-site employer visits.

Programming

Some of the programs and events for 1GP students may include:

• Mentor/Mentee Lunches
• Dinner with a Judge
• Lunch with the Career Center, Student Affairs, and Academic Advising 
• Resume Writing and Interviewing Workshop for the Unique 1GP Narrative
• 1GP Kickoff Dinner
• Lunch with Professors
• Professional Etiquette Event in Preparation for Blueprint
• Law Firm Visit
• Strategizing Financial Aid and Financial Planning (BLSA-sponsored)

Our first-year 1GP students, joined by Diamond Zambrano '20 and Darlena Kern Subashi '15, visited the Alston & Bird Raleigh office. Darlena and fellow attorneys gave students a tour of the office and described a 'day in the life' for their various practice areas.