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.

2022 will be our pilot year with the students visiting schools in Osceola and Pine Bluff (Pine Bluff High School, Watson Chapel). In conjunction with the City of Osceola, the law school students will host a record-sealing clinic in partnership with Arkansas Legal Aid, and in Pine Bluff, will work with area attorneys and the Center for Arkansas Legal Services, to host a wills and trusts clinic.

Activities scheduled for September 16 and 17, 2022.

Osceola

Schedule of Events - Osceola

Thursday Evening: Travel Teams arrive
Friday 8 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Constitution Days Programming in Osceola High School
Friday Evening: Networking Reception hosted by the City of Osceola for area community partners members of the Arkansas Bench and Bar/Students
Saturday 9:00 a.m.: Pro Bono Record Sealing Clinic (Facilities and Technology provided by Osceola High School). Students will have the opportunity to work alongside judges and attorneys while assisting in a one-stop expungement (sealing) clinic. The last station at this clinic will inform the citizens who have come about open job opportunities.

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.”

Pine Bluff

Schedule of Events · Pine Bluff

Thursday Evening: Travel Teams arrive
Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Constitution Days Programming in Pine Bluff High School and Watson Chapel High School
Friday Evening: Networking Reception for area community partners/members of the Jefferson County Bench and Bar/Students
Saturday Time 9:00 a.m.: Pro Bono Wills and Trusts Clinic. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services is assisting with administration and set-up. Students will have the opportunity to work closely with local attorneys to draft and revise wills, trusts, and estates documents.

Josie Bates: “I want to be involved in this project because it has the incredible potential to bring positive long-lasting change to not only the law school, but the state of Arkansas in general. I cannot think of a better project to be included in.”

Hannah Malone: “I believe that extending information and opportunities to people to become lawyers is of the utmost importance. Every person has unique qualities and life experiences that they can bring to the table to help strengthen the legal profession as a whole.”

School of Law