JM Family Enterprises Partners with Street Law to Give Deerfield Beach High School Students a Glimpse into the Law

Twenty-three juniors enrolled in the International Baccalaureate “Theory of Knowledge” course at Deerfield Beach High School participated in the Corporate Legal Diversity Pipeline Program, an educational law program as part of an inaugural partnership between JM Family Enterprises, Street Law, Inc., and Deerfield Beach High School.

“This year’s program curriculum centered around cyberbullying and included a simulated Supreme Court oral argument in a fictional case to explore whether the First Amendment allows public schools to punish students for posting online content off school grounds,” said Caren Snead Williams, vice president and deputy general counsel, Corporate Governance at JM Family. “Not only did our associates work with these high school students on real world issues that are both pertinent and pervasive, but we also helped develop their skills in the areas of analysis and reasoning, advocating for a position and public speaking.”

The Corporate Legal Diversity Pipeline Programs are designed to encourage the pursuit of legal careers by young people from groups that are currently underrepresented in the legal profession and to serve as one component of comprehensive diversity efforts led by companies and law firms.

Through the program, law firms and corporate legal departments partner with nearby diverse, high school classes to engage the students, teach them about civil law and encourage them to consider careers in the legal profession. JM Family was the first South Florida-based corporate legal department to sponsor a Corporate Legal Diversity Pipeline Program, with 19 associate volunteers from throughout the company’s Legal department.

The month-long program consisted of four classes and one capstone event, during which guest speakers representing different careers within the legal profession spoke with the students and provided guidance to those who may be interested in a future in the law.

“This program is a powerful experience for the high school students – it gives them the opportunity to interact with legal professionals and sparks their interest in legal careers,” said Joy Dingle, director of Legal Diversity Pipeline Programs at Street Law.

JM Family’s involvement in the Street Law program is part of its increased support of nonprofit organizations that fight for equality in all aspects of life. The company’s Corporate Community Impact is focused on three areas of giving – empowering families, promoting education and embracing the environment – to strengthen the communities in which its associates live and work.

“The legal department’s creation of its program grew out of our team’s desire to directly participate in JM Family’s broader efforts around diversity and to promote more equal justice in society by educating young people, particularly young people of color, about the justice system,” said Stephen Artusi, group vice president and general counsel at JM Family.

About Street Law
Since 1972, Street Law, Inc. has been advancing justice by providing classroom and community education programs that empower people with the legal and civic knowledge, skills, and confidence to bring about positive change for themselves and others. Street Law programs are practical, relevant, and participatory—combining legal content with innovative teaching strategies that engage students in the learning process. Each year these programs reach hundreds of thousands of people across the United States and around the world.

Street Law’s Legal Diversity Pipeline Program aims to address the dearth of diversity in the legal profession by pairing volunteer legal professionals with high school law classes to teach young people about law and pathways to careers in the legal sector. More than 75 companies and law firms across the country annually reach 2,500 diverse high school students with legal lessons, legal simulations, and career exploration activities.

About JM Family Enterprises, Inc.
JM Family Enterprises, Inc. was founded by automotive legend, Jim Moran in 1968. It is a privately held company with more than $20 billion in revenue and more than 5,000 associates. Rooted in automotive and united in its strong culture and core values, JM Family is in the business of helping other businesses succeed. As a long-term partner, it is invested in its companies, associates and its communities. Driven by exceptional performance, current subsidiaries are in the automotive, financial services, franchising and specialty distribution industries. Its family of companies includes: Southeast Toyota Distributors, the world’s largest independent distributor of Toyota vehicles; JM&A Group, a company committed to improving automotive dealers’ performance by offering Finance & Insurance products and services, dealership training and consulting; World Omni Financial Corp. (dba Southeast Toyota Finance), a captive financial services company driven to delivering an exceptional dealership and customer experience for Toyota customers in the Southeast; JM Lexus, one of South Florida’s leading Lexus dealers; Home Franchise Concepts^®, a multi-brand franchise network consisting of Budget Blinds^®, The Tailored Closet™, PremierGarage^®, Concrete Craft^®, AdvantaClean^®, Lightspeed Restoration™, Kitchen Tune-Up^®, Bath Tune-Up^®, Two Maids^® and Aussie Pet Mobile^®; and Futura Title & Escrow, a family of leading independent title and escrow companies which includes Alliance Title & Escrow, AmeriTitle, Pacific Alliance Title, Kittitas Title and Escrow, and Momentum Title Agency; and Rollease Acmeda, a leading specialty distributor of window covering systems.

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About JM Family’s Corporate Community Impact
When he founded JM Family Enterprises, Inc. in 1968, Jim Moran instilled in the company the spirit of giving back as an integral part of who we are. We inspire action and engage our associates to strengthen the communities in which we live and work. We pursue that goal through support and volunteerism. We contribute our time and talent to impact diverse causes driven by our culture, associates and the community. JM Family’s Corporate Community Impact efforts are focused on three areas of giving – empowering families, promoting education and embracing the environment.

About JM Family Enterprises
JM Family Enterprises, Inc. was founded by automotive legend, Jim Moran in 1968. It is a privately held company with more than $20 billion in revenue and more than 5,000 associates. Rooted in automotive and united in its strong culture and core values, JM Family is in the business of helping other businesses succeed. As a long-term partner, it is invested in its companies, associates and its communities. Driven by exceptional performance, current subsidiaries are in the automotive, financial services, franchising and specialty distribution industries. Its family of companies includes: Southeast Toyota Distributors, JM&A Group, World Omni Financial Corp. (dba Southeast Toyota Finance), JM Lexus, Home Franchise Concepts^®, Futura Title & Escrow and Rollease Acmeda. Interact with JM Family on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.