The Delta Initiative

The University of Arkansas School of Law has prioritized the Delta as a region of focus. A Delta advisory committee was established in 2021, which identified areas that have the greatest need within the region:

access to justice
severe lack of legal professionals per capita, and
the need to recruit students earlier in their educational careers (high school vs. junior/senior year of college)

Goals Of The Delta Initiative

Visibility | Engagement | Community Service

Outreach to communities

Bring our current School of Law students to smaller rural areas that need legal professionals in an effort to make an immediate impact on the access to justice issues.

Pipelines to provide resources and information

Expose high school students to the idea of law school by providing legal curriculum that engages the students and evokes questions and discussion.

Inform students about University of Arkansas and University of Arkansas School of Law enrollment and scholarship opportunities.

Pathways to help students

Expose our law students to the Delta communities, alumni and legal professionals in the area so they can learn about opportunities for post-grad employment and the benefits and impact of practicing in the region.

Our Plan

Current law school students, faculty, and staff will travel to high schools in the Delta to deliver curriculum crafted around the Constitution and its impact on current laws and policy. This will be a two-day trip with the students being in the high schools for the first day and performing a community service project on the second day.

Events

Friday, September 19

Marion High School

Law students will meet with two civic classes and lead an Interactive Negotiations Competition.

Students will be presented with a fact pattern and compete in teams, coached by law students. This activity introduces legal problem-solving in a real-world context while building critical thinking and communication skills.

Law students will also share their academic and professional journeys, discuss law school life, and answer questions about pursuing careers in law and opportunities at the University of Arkansas.

National Civil Rights Museum Visit

Students will engage with exhibits and history to deepen their understanding of civil rights, justice, and the lawyer’s role in advancing equality.

Saturday, September 20

Amnesty Day & Record Sealing Legal Clinic

Location: District Court House, 317 W. Tyler Ave., West Memphis, AR 72301
Time: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

This free clinic will provide legal assistance, advice, and resources to individuals and families in Crittenden County and the surrounding Delta region.

Volunteer attorneys and law students will assist with record sealing, helping remove barriers to employment, housing, and education.

Amnesty: For those that an active misdemeanor warrant from Crittenden County they may appear and receive a citation without risk of arrest for that warrant. If the warrant is for failure to pay fines or costs to the District Court it will be ordered withdrawn and their payment plan adjusted according to your ability to pay.

Katie Sparrow: “I am thrilled about the opportunity to encourage people from the Delta to pursue practicing law because the community should have options when it comes to representation. There are not enough lawyers in the Delta.”

Mason Gates: “Rural America is experiencing a severe lawyer shortage, which is especially true for Arkansas. As one of only two law schools in the state, it is essential that we take a leadership role. The Delta Initiative is an excellent opportunity to venture into the Natural State while doing important work. I have loved working on this project and hope it grows into a yearly event that continues to connect the law school with all of Arkansas.”