SCSJ Students Attend Legalweek Conference in NYC

Our School of Criminal and Social Justice took over Manhattan recently as several faculty and one student attended Legalweek, one of the law profession's premier conferences focused on legal technology and innovation.

Held in New York City from March 9-12, the global conference brought together thousands of legal professionals to explore emerging trends shaping the future of the field. Professors DeJannie Martin, Andrea Grant, Joshlyn Foreman, and Jody McCalla attended, along with Criminal Justice and Paralegal Studies student Gradjola Rucini.

For Professor McCalla, Legalweek offered insights into how Monroe faculty can tailor their curricula to ensure students are career-ready in a rapidly changing profession, especially with advances in technology, particularly the advent of artificial intelligence.

"One of the main things is it shows how much more there is to learn and to know,” McCalla said. “AI is certainly elevating the legal profession, and we have to teach our students differently as a result.”

Rather than replacing legal professionals, McCalla noted that technology is shifting what skills matter most.

“No longer are employers looking for experts in 'black letter law'. Now, they’re looking more for interpersonal skills and being solution-focused,” she said.

These insights are already influencing how Monroe prepares students. Through partnerships with leading platforms like Relativity and tools such as Westlaw, faculty are integrating real-world technology into the classroom to ensure graduates remain competitive.

“We want to ensure that we are abreast of the legal trends: what employers want, what they’re looking for,” McCalla said. “We want to make sure our curriculum remains relevant and practical.”

For Rucini, the experience was both eye-opening and affirming. One of the biggest takeaways for the international student from Albania was the role of artificial intelligence and its impact on the future of law.

“I got to learn a lot about the adaptation of AI in the legal field,” she said. “When I tell someone that I want to be a lawyer, I hear people say lawyers are gonna disappear, but being present at Legalweek, I actually understood that we're going to use it to adapt and work better.”

Aside from the sessions, the conference also provided ample opportunities for networking—including a major career milestone for Rucini.

“I actually got hired,” Rucini shared. “I had a job interview, and the tips from Professor McCalla were amazing -- I think that’s the reason I got the job.”

For Rucini, the experience made her future feel tangible. She credits Monroe’s programs and faculty with helping her build confidence and direction.

“I would 100% recommend this program,” she said.

Monroe is committed to bridging classroom learning with real-world experience, ensuring students are not only learning about the legal field but actively engaging with it.

“We also want to expose our students to the industry so they know that we're actively engaging with it,” McCalla said. “Being in a room with people, while learning and actively learning -- we think that’s really important.”

Sounds like it was a terrific conference!