From March 28-31, 23 members of Niagara University’s Pre-Law Student Association and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, traveled to Washington, D.C., for the program’s annual spring visit to the Supreme Court. The students were accompanied by their advisor, Professor Kevin Hinkley, and Dr. Christopher Lee, associate professor of political science.
The trip provided students with enriching experiences, including a tour of American University Washington College of Law, meetings at the U.S. Capitol, and the opportunity to attend oral arguments at the Supreme Court.
Day One: Saturday, March 28
After arriving in Washington, students visited the American University Washington College of Law. They met with Jacob Tucker, a Niagara University alumnus, who led a tour of the school and held a Q&A session about the legal field and the law school application process.
The day concluded with the annual alumni group dinner at Lauriol Plaza. Students met with several accomplished alumni, including Tucker, ’21, a prosecutor for the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office; Judge Jason Pope, ’23; and Major Tunde Adepegba, ’11, a U.S. Army congressional budget liaison.
Day Two: Sunday, March 29
Following a free day to explore the city, students participated in a new annual tradition: a visit to the monuments led by Tucker.
Day Three: Monday, March 30
Students visited the U.S. Capitol for a series of meetings arranged by Adepegba. The group met with Brian Cress, a staff member for Speaker of the House Mike Johnson; Yazeed Abdelhaq, a staff member for Sen. Chuck Schumer; and Frank Broomell, a staff member for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
Day Four: Tuesday, March 31
On the final day, students visited the Supreme Court accompanied by Theo Marcucci, a Niagara alumnus and 3L student at the University of Baltimore School of Law. The group observed oral arguments in the cases Chiles v. Salazar and Pitchford v. Cain.
The session began with a significant milestone as the group witnessed Professor Hinkley being sworn in as a member of the Supreme Court Bar. Following the arguments, students received a behind-the-scenes tour and met with Justice Samuel Alito.
“Posing a question to a Supreme Court justice has to be one of the most inspiring experiences I’ve had,” said Ashley Abbett, co-president of Niagara University’s Pre-Law Student Association. “The pre-law trips are very formative, and I’m so grateful we get those experiences as often as we do”.
The day concluded at the law firm MoloLamken, where students discussed the cases and the legal profession with Lucas Walker. Sarah Cross, a student in Hinkley’s American Judicial Process course, noted that the trip deepened her passion for the field. “From walking the halls of the U.S. Capitol to witnessing the Supreme Court in action, this experience… inspired me to pursue a future alongside the incredible legal professionals we had the privilege to learn from,” Cross said.
