06/17/2026
Week 2 of KCMBF's Student Law Academy has, and what a week it was!
KCMBF's Student Law Academy, in partnership with PREP-KC, is a four-week paid summer legal education and career exploration program that introduces high school students to the many pathways within the legal profession through hands-on learning and direct interaction with attorneys, judges, and legal professionals.
Our Scholars explored nearly every corner of the legal profession—from appellate courts to intellectual property, criminal law to immigration, bankruptcy to civil litigation, and even what TV gets wrong about practicing law. They sharpened their advocacy skills, tackled resume and interview prep, and learned how ethics, storytelling, and persuasive speaking shape successful legal careers.
A special thank you to our volunteer speakers and mentors, who generously shared their time, expertise, and personal experiences to inspire the next generation of legal professionals. Check out everything our SLA Students learned about last week:
• Hon. Mark Pfeiffer – Missouri Court of Appeals
• Jaclyn Alcantara & Kenzie M. Lawrence – Intellectual Property
• Tahir Atwater – The Innocence Project
• Devon Pasley & Lesley Smith – Criminal Law
• Amber Christ – Being a Legal Aid Attorney
• Hon. W. Brent Powell – Missouri Supreme Court
• Kamillia Scott – Resume Writing & Interview Prep Workshop
• Charnissa Holliday-Scott – Ethics According to Motown
• Dana Tippin Cutler & Keith Cutler – Television vs. Reality
• Stephanie Lopez – Trials: Closing Arguments
• Anthony McDaniel – Persuasive Public Speaking: How Lawyers Invoke Thought with Their Words
• Elizabeth Murray – Civil Litigation
• Betsy Lynch – Bankruptcy
• Adam Weaver – Court Reporting
• Ronald Nguyen, Isabel Penaranda & Anya – Immigration Law
Your dedication makes this program possible, and we're grateful for the impact you've had on our Scholars. We can't wait to see what Week 3 brings!
