By Nick Aliquo, SBA American Bar Association Representative
Hello everyone! My name is Nicholas Aliquo and I am your American Bar Association (ABA) Representative here at California Western. I’m assuming most of you, if not, all of you know that one of the many perks of attending California Western is that we are an ABA-accredited law school. However, not all students actually know what the ABA is and what the ABA can do for you. My job is to help fix that.
The American Bar Association is one of the world’s largest voluntary professional organizations, with over 400,000 members. There are 205 institutions that are ABA approved. The ABA is committed to serving its members, improving the legal profession, eliminating bias and enhancing diversity as well as advancing the rule of law throughout the United States and around the world. Membership is open to law students (hey that’s you!), lawyers (that will soon be you) and those just curious and interested in the legal profession (hopefully you). Now I know you’re wondering: okay, this all sounds great, but why should I care about these three letters or three words? Well, let me tell you!
This past summer, I had the privilege of attending the ABA conference in New York City with California Western’s President and Vice President. It was truly an incredible and eye-opening experience. I got to help decide new laws that would go in effect, network with very successful lawyers from all over the country, and mingle with other students. All while sight-seeing and trying to spot the occasional celebrity leaving their penthouse apartment or townhouse in SoHo, Harlem or Greenwich Village. From meeting ABA reps from other law schools, I have learned about the best methods to engage law students. Further, seeing this talented and dedicated group of law students inspires me to do the very best I can to serve the Cal Western student body.
Why does this all matter to you?! Being a part of the ABA opens you up to so many opportunities. Things such as making connections, landing internships or clerkships, perks and discounts, career guidance, training and education, and so much more. It’s all at the palm of your hand – all you have to do is ask me about these opportunities, or visit americanbar.org and learn more. While you’re provided with a basic membership for free as a current law student, did you know that upgrading to Premium, for just $25 a year, opens you up to so many more exciting benefits?! Things such as saving $250 on BARBRI Bar Review, free Quimbee outlines, free ABA MRPC ebook, free resume review and so much more.
I’ll admit, I too was guilty of just thinking “Oh, California Western is ABA-accredited” and not really having any idea what that meant. However, now that I do know, my life is forever changed. I’ve networked with attorneys all over the country, been offered positions in some of my favorite cities in the U.S., and learned a lot about the law and how we, as students, have the power to make change.
I highly encourage you take a look at all the ABA has to offer and please, please, please, stop me/email me/call me/text me if you have any questions. Law school is stressful enough as is, so let the ABA help make law school and life a little bit easier on you. I promise it’s worth it!
Contact Nick Aliquo at nraliquo@law.cwsl.edu.