The CIS Committee partners with Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS) to provide summer internships in the legal profession for academically outstanding high school students who attend at risk schools. The program provides each student with a paid eight-week internship in a professional legal environment, as well as enrichment programs and mentoring. The committee recruits the firms participating and develops the enrichment programs.
The CIS Committee is proud to partner with Cristo Jesuit College Preparatory School! Cristo Rey is a 500 student private high school in Houston that exclusively serves economically challenged students. Through Cristo Rey’s unique Corporate Work-Study Program, all students work one day a week in professional settings earning about half the cost of their education.
Cristo Rey is a rigorous college prep school that is dedicated to bridging the gap that prevents students from poverty from going to and completing college degrees, and Cristo Rey is committed to training selfless community leaders. In the over a decade since opening, Cristo Rey has had every graduate, all 1,174 of them, accepted into colleges and universities all over the country. Almost all of Cristo Rey students are first-generation students and it is the relationships they build and the confidence they develop through the Work-Study Program that motivates them to attend and graduate from college.
Cristo Rey is appreciative of the legal community for their support – with about 15% of the 135 Work-Study sites are Houston law firms. With the help of the Houston community, Cristo Rey alumni are graduating from college at a rate that is over 4x the national average for this demographic and, with that degree in hand, they are changing the trajectory of their lives as well as the lives around them.
To sign up as a 2025 employer or learn more, contact Bonnie Simmons at bonnies@hba.org or 346-471-3418.
2024-2025 Co-Chairs:
Chris Agboli, Jackson Lewis P.C.
Maria Pimienta, Kelley Drye & Warren
"We are working together providing enriching environments in which at-risk students can work, learn, and be inspired by legal professionals." - Tanya Urban, Gibbs & Bruns LLP
CIS Summer Legal Internship Program Closing Ceremony, Aug. 5
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the closing ceremony of the 2024 HBA CIS Summer Legal Internship Program on August 5!
We were thrilled to celebrate the impressive achievements of this year's participants. A heartfelt thank you to the interns, mentors, supporters, and CIS committee members who have made a significant impact on our community's youth through Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS).
We extend our gratitude to South Texas College of Law Houston and Interim Dean Jeff Rensberger for graciously hosting the event. A special thanks to Southern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani for delivering inspiring remarks.
We also want to thank CIS Committee co-chairs Anna Archer, John Meredith, and Ashley Brown for their dedicated efforts this past year.
Thank you to our participating employers!
Baker Botts L.L.P.
Baker Hostetler LLP
Blank Rome LLP
Chamberlain Hrdlicka
Dobrowski, Stafford & Pierce
Gibbs & Bruns LLP
Harris County Attorney’s Office
Harris County District Clerk's Office
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Jones Day
Locke Lord LLP
OCI Methanol Marketing, LLC
Reynolds Frizzell, LLP
CIS Summer Enrichment Activities Continue at UH Law Center, July 29
A big thank you to the University of Houston Law Center for hosting the CIS students on July 29 as part of our summer legal internship program. The students enjoyed a campus tour and an informative session, and were surprised with a brief visit from Dean Leonard M. Baynes.
We extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to organizing the students' summer educational enrichment activities this year!
Students Prep for the HBA CIS Mock Trial, July 19
On July 19, the Communities In Schools of Houston students and their HBA coaches came together for a virtual prep session in anticipation of the CIS Mock Trial scheduled for August 2!
A big thank you to the HBA CIS Mock Trial Subcommittee Co-Chairs, all subcommittee members, and the attorney coaches for their dedicated efforts in organizing and guiding the students through trial procedures.
2024 HBA CIS Summer Legal Internship Orientation, June 10
The HBA Communities In Schools Committee proudly hosted the 2024 HBA CIS Summer Legal Internship Orientation at South Texas College of Law Houston on June 10.
This morning was filled with valuable insights, networking opportunities, and inspiration as aspiring legal professionals gathered to embark on their summer internships.
A big THANK YOU to our amazing co-chairs and speakers for their invaluable contributions and thanks to Dean Michael Barry and South Texas College of Law Houston for hosting our orientation.
2024 HBA Summer Legal Internship Enrichment Visits
In a mission to promote legal enrichment and community engagement, the CIS committee held successful activities last month at the DA's office, the District Clerk's Office, and the federal courthouse. These initiatives help foster a deeper understanding of the law and inspire the next generation of legal minds in Houston. Thank you to all who participated and made these experiences possible. A special thanks to DA Kim Ogg, Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess, and Hon. Jennifer Elrod for hosting the students!
2024 HBA CIS Summer Legal Internship Program
Thank you to the law firms, legal departments, and legal organizations who signed up to host HBA CIS interns this summer! These are exceptional high school students recruited by Communities In Schools who are interested in the legal profession. Many of these students are first generation college students. This is an opportunity to make a real difference in their lives. The 8-week program is scheduled to run from June 10 to August 2.
We also accept tax deductible donations to either sponsor an intern ($3,500) or to cover lunch for the interns at orientation, the closing ceremony, and/or weekly seminars ($500). Donations can be made here. Please note the HBA CIS Summer Legal Internship Program with your donation.
KPRC 2 Features Communities in Schools and Houston Bar Association's Impact on Student Workforce Readiness, Feb. 16
On February 16, KPRC 2 Local News spotlighted Communities in Schools and the Houston Bar Association in a community news segment. Kathryn Medina, Director of Strategic Partnerships at CIS of Houston, and John Meredith, Chief Operating Officer for Chamberlain Hrdlicka and co-chair of the HBA CIS Committee, shared insights into how Communities in Schools, alongside the Houston Bar Association and other organizations, is empowering students for the workforce through collaborative community partnerships.
Click here to view the full interview.
The CIS Committee Presented at the Summer 2024 Externship & Scholarship Program on February 2
Cristo Rey Jesuit's Corporate Work Study Program
Special thanks to the legal partners for the 23-24 school year.
Arnold & Porter LLP
Baker Hostetler
Beck Redden LLP*
Chamberlain Hrdlicka*
Cokinos | Young
Doyle LLP
Gomez Law Firm
King & Spalding
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Latham & Watkins LLP *
Locke Lord LLP *
Lowenberg Law Firm
Sidley Austin LLP
Susman Godfrey LLP
Vinson & Elkins LLP *
Winston & Strawn LLP
Yetter Coleman LLP
*= 10+ Year Corporate Partner
Cristo Rey Jesuit's Corporate Work Study program has 135+ partners. Every one of our almost 450 students participate in this program working one day a week at their partner's office. Our school continues to grow and we expect to see enrollment of about 540 students next school year. This means that we are currently seeking new corporate partners since we will have about 90 more students to place next year!