Saper Immersion Program 2024: Recap

This year’s Saper Immersion Program boasted our biggest class size to date – 37 students!

Last week we marked the 11th year of Saper Law’s Immersion program. The Saper Law Immersion Program offers high school and college students the opportunity to explore legal career paths in one exciting week. The program is organized by Daliah Saper of Saper Law Offices, LLC.

Scroll down to see the daily itinerary for this year’s Saper Law Summer Immersion Program!

Click here to read feedback about the program from the participants.

Day 1

The program kicked off with the attendees breaking the ice by introducing themselves and their interests.

Our first visit was to Lawyers for the Creative Arts to learn from Jan Feldman about how the non-profit provides pro bono and low-cost legal services to creatives in need.

Then we visited Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP to learn about family law from Meighan Harmon.

Then we went to Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP to learn about mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, and the life of a transactional lawyer from Robert Gerber.

The students then returned to Saper Law to learn about the Law School Admission Test (the LSAT)

The day ended with an engaging talk about criminal prosecution and defense by Jay Schleppenbach, an attorney at Dechert LLP

Day 2

Christina Coleman provided an overview of immigration law (and gave each student their own pocket constitution).

Ashok Pinto and Caryn Trombino discussed what it is like to work for the government. (Ashok has worked in all three branches of the federal government and Caryn is currently at the Securities and Exchange Commission ).

The students enjoyed lunch along Chicago’s beautiful riverfront.

David Lindner, a patent attorney at Crowell & Moring, hosted the students at the firm’s NBC tower offices. Everyone enjoyed the views while learning about patent prosecution and litigation.

Lindsey Markus, a trust and estate attorney at Chuhak & Tecson, PC, explained the importance of planning for death or incapacitation. Students asked lots of questions about the probate process and how people may access their inheritance.

The day ended with Valerie Beck treating the students to chocolate while she explained her path from Harvard College and Harvard Law School to now, a chocolate entrepreneur!

Day 3

Students started the day by visiting the Illinois Appellate Court to hear oral arguments before a panel of three judges. (The case involved damages resulting from the breach of a real estate contract)

From the Appellate court, we walked over to the State Court to watch family court proceedings and listen to Judge Naomi Schuster in the Domestic Relations division explain how the court makes its rulings, especially when children are involved.

We also met with Colin Luce, Superintendent of Court Services in the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. Colin explained the Sheriff’s Office’s role in serving pleadings and enforcing court orders – including evictions.

Students enjoyed lunch in the loop.

After lunch, attorneys at Erin Wilson’s firm, Nicole Spicer and Olivia Basu, discussed the role of a Guardian Ad Litem in high-conflict divorce cases.

The day ended with fun negotiation exercises led by Dan Chester – but not before Dan recounted some great war stories about his role as counsel to the Jerry Springer show!

Day 4

Students started the day by touring the Chicago-Kent College of Law and learning about the law school admission process.

Students enjoyed lunch at the From Here On Food Hall & Market in the Old Post Office.

After lunch, students walked to the Cook County Assessor’s Office to learn about property tax assessments and appeals from Christina T. Lynch, Director of Legal there.

Back at Saper Law, Entertainment lawyer Jeff Friedman discussed his work on reality TV shows as well as his work in sports broadcasting.

The day ended with Emily Wessel Farr, legal counsel at Trustly, and Folarin Dosunmu, Vice President & General Counsel for Levy Restaurants, discussing their roles as in-house counsel. They explained the differences between working at a law firm v.s. working for one company.

Day 5

Students started the day at the Federal Courthouse where they met with a US Pre-trial officer, a US Probation Officer, an Assistant US Attorney, and a Federal Court Judge, the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman.

Students enjoyed lunch at Merchandise Mart.

Back at Saper Law, attorney and coach, Beth M Boghossian explained the importance of managing stress. (Some attorneys turn to alcohol and drug abuse to cope. Various bar associations are requiring attorneys to take continuing legal education courses and learn other interventions to address the issue.) She led the students through a meditation exercise.

Next, Daliah Saper provided an overview of her career and how she started a firm focused on tech, media, & IP law.

The day ended with an (intense) personal statement drafting exercise.

Until next year!