
The First Law Student Who Attended School From Prison Is Going To Mitchell Hamline

They say when there is a will, there is a way – and Maureen Onyelobi is proving it right.
Studying law is no easy task and for someone to do it from prison, the accomplishment becomes all the more impressive.
Onyelobi is so enthustic and passionate about law is that she is going to be the first student ever to attend the Mitchell Hamline School of Law from prison. The school welcomed the law student into its Juris doctor program. Now, this is not only a big achievement for Maureen Onyelobi, but it is also a great achievement for Mitchell Hamline to be the first ABA-approved law school in the entire country which educates incarcerated people.

Sora Shimazaki/Pexels | Talk about making big strides all around!
A Social Program
What’s noteworthy is that the school did not decide to suddenly award Maureen with the opportunity to be a part of the Juris program. In fact, it was a project that was underway for the past three years and was developed as a collective effort by the Prison of Law Pipeline. The prison of Law Pipeline is a program stemming from All Square and it’s recently-made subsidiary, the Legal Revolution. The goal behind this entire project is to revolutionize the Law community by focusing on racial equity, wellness, and the expertise of those who are most marginalized in the community.

August/Pexels | Race, gender, and age are no determinants of a person’s competency
Big News for Onyelobi
It was on Thursday, 9th June when Maureen received her acceptance from the school’s dean and the president, John Goeppinger, and Anthony Niedwiecki. The two also took a trip to the state prison in Shakopee to deliver the good news personally. Maureen Onyelobi also spoke about it, mentioning the importance of learning law and having a passion to explore the legal realm. She continued and stated that it was important that people like her because they are the ones who face the brunt of it. The chair of the board of the Legal Revolution, Elizer Darris, also agreed with Onyelobi and mentioned that having an understanding of the law is the ‘vehicle for freedom’.

Sora Shimazaki/Pexels | Sometimes all it takes is one good opportunity to turn your life around
The Project Behind This
The Prison of Law Pipeline is a project that is derived from the original partnership between Mitchell Hamline and All Square in hopes to open doors of opportunities for people who are returning home from prison after 2018. Now, Mitchell Hamline is shifting its focus toward people who are currently serving their terms so that they can have a better understanding of the criminal justice system, and with the new change in plans, the students will also benefit from having students like Maureen in their class.
Maureen Oneylobi’s story is truly inspiring and goes to show that you can do whatever you put your mind to.
More in Law Degree
-
What Do I Need to Know Before I Sell My Home?
There is a multitude of reasons for someone to decide that they should sell their house – some are buying a...
October 25, 2022 -
Michael Jackson’s Lawyer Joins Bill Cosby’s Defense Team
Bill Cosby’s abuse charges have been one of the biggest frustrations of this generation. Nobody would have thought that a well-loved...
October 25, 2022 -
Lawhive Raises $2 Million To Give Consumers Cheaper Legal Services
Lawhive, a legal tech startup, has received almost $2 million in funding with the goal of making legal services more equitable...
October 19, 2022 -
Earning A Master Of Legal Studies Degree: Is it Right for You?
If you’re thinking about getting a Master of Legal Studies (MLS), you probably have one question on your mind: Is it...
October 5, 2022 -
Divorces Can Lead To Temporary Insanity
Divorces can be quite tough, and they can easily take a huge toll on the couple that is pulling the plug...
September 28, 2022 -
What Is Quiet Quitting? And Why Are So Many Lawyers Doing It?
Back in the day, there was a universal understanding that if you did a good job at work, your boss would...
September 22, 2022 -
6 Celebrities Who Have Used Their Money, Power & Fame For The Betterment Of Our Society
Celebrities have always played a pivotal role in the betterment of our society. Especially during hard times, celebrities are usually the...
September 15, 2022 -
Virtual Court Putting Litigants At A Disadvantage?
Litigants and attorneys were left in a state of upheaval when the coronavirus pandemic struck in 2020, and court operations came...
August 26, 2022 -
3 Expert Tips To Find A Good Criminal Defense Attorney
A criminal defense attorney may be hired by either a single defendant or a group of defendants who have been charged...
August 16, 2022