JCPS Students Step into the General Counsel’s Office at Inaugural Law Day
When most people think of a legal career, they imagine intense cross-examinations and dramatic courtroom speeches. However, a significant portion of the legal profession happens far from a judge's bench—inside the boardrooms, labs, and offices of the world’s leading companies. On April 15, 2026, ACC Kentucky launched a powerful new community engagement initiative to highlight these diverse paths: the JCPS Law Day Program.
This hands-on learning experience was designed to introduce students to the real-world practice of law within corporations and organizations. Through interactive workshops, students gained practical insight into how legal departments manage risk, protect innovation, and help businesses succeed in their missions.
A Collaboration of Industry Leaders
This transformative day was made possible by the dedication of volunteers from a wide array of prominent organizations. Participating companies included:
Baptist Health
Constellation
Farm Credit Mid-America
GE Appliances, a Haier company
Norton Healthcare
Humana
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS)
Texas Roadhouse
Verisys
Wieland
Zoeller Pump Company
Hands-On Advocacy: Solving Real-World Problems
The event brought approximately 100 JCPS pre-law students from Butler, Central, Seneca, and Waggener High Schools into direct contact with these local legal experts. The morning challenged students to think like corporate counsel through two high-intensity simulations.
In one workshop, students tackled a Negotiation & Dispute Resolution exercise involving a hypothetical business contract between local icon Jack Harlow and the KFC Yum! Center. In another, they pivoted to the role of investigators for Marriott, navigating a simulated Internal Investigation into workplace sexual harassment. Working in small groups, students identified key facts and determined remedial actions with volunteer lawyers guiding their strategy.
"The conference was beneficial for students wanting to move into the law field because it allowed us to personally connect with attorneys from different fields," said Lily Adams, a 12th grader at Waggener High School. "We could ask and learn what a regular day looks like and what we need to do to start the process of getting into that specific field of law. It gave us perspective and tips."
Insights from the Experts: The Journey to the JD
During a keynote lunch, students heard from Nicholas Stiegelmeyer, Assistant Dean for Admissions at the University of Louisville’s Brandeis School of Law, who demystified the admissions process.
The conversation then shifted to personal career paths. Jason Brown (President & CEO of the Association of Corporate Counsel) and Ashley Huber (VP of Legal & Government Affairs at Wieland) shared their journeys to the General Counsel’s office, emphasizing how law shapes social responsibility and global business.
Exploring Legal Specialties
In the afternoon, students participated in "Specialty Sessions," rotating through different practice areas to see how law influences every aspect of community life:
Intellectual Property: How to protect music, art, and brands from being copied.
Labor & Employment: Navigating the relationship between employees and employers.
Real Estate: The legal complexities of buying or selling land and buildings.
Litigation: Understanding when to fight a case in court versus when to settle.
Franchising: Exploring how brands like Texas Roadhouse or KFC support business growth.
Alexis Burley, an 11th grader at Waggener, noted, "I really enjoyed that the attorneys were interested in talking to us not just about the law but about ourselves and our plans for the future."
Building the Next Generation of Legal Leaders
The JCPS Law Day Program serves as a bridge between Louisville’s professional legal community and the aspiring advocates in our schools. By providing early exposure to these careers, the program sparks confidence and shows that a career in law—or any professional field—is within reach.
"The attorneys we met were really knowledgeable about the law but about lots of other topics too," shared Waggener 11th grader Alaya Thomas. "They were easy to talk to and had lots of ideas and advice about our futures."
By pulling back the curtain on the corporate legal world, the JCPS Law Day Program serves as a vital bridge between Louisville’s professional community and the next generation of advocates. This early exposure helps students realize that the legal field is far broader than what is seen on a television screen, offering diverse paths that influence every sector of our economy.