Before heading to college, a recent high school graduate is spending his summer getting a jump on his dream to work in the legal field.
Samuel Olayemi is the latest in a long line of students from Central High School to earn a two month paid internship in Dinsmore’s Louisville office. During a more than 15-year partnership, Central High School’s Law Magnet Program has presented its best and brightest to the firm, where the students are exposed to the many facets of law and government, including civil law, debate competitions and mock trials. Central High School’s magnet program also helps promote diversity by providing a three-year law angled curriculum to students who may not have otherwise received the opportunity.
Sam, a former governor’s scholar and incoming freshman at Morehouse College, views the internship as an important stepping stone.
“The magnet program at Central is great, but you can only learn so much at that level. I knew the internship at Dinsmore would give me the real-life access and the hands-on experience that make this partnership special.”
Dinsmore associate and program coordinator Felix Sharpe oversees Sam’s workload and serves as a mentor to make sure he is receiving the best possible experience. “This partnership has been a touch point for the firm and is a chance for us to give back to our community. We are giving back to kids who are so forward-looking; they are in high school and know exactly what they want to do with their lives. The wonderful thing about this program is it presents us with a chance to provide young people with an exploratory avenue that leads to a fresh grasp on the practice of law.”
Sam, who plans on attending law school after Morehouse, is grateful for his time at Dinsmore and recommends the internship to future students.
“I recognize how fortunate I am to have this opportunity, and I feel my time at Dinsmore was a necessary step into my future in the field of law.”
Dinsmore is proud of this partnership, in conjunction with the Louisville Bar Association, which is part of a firm-wide effort to drive forward relations in the community.