May 24, 1999
Graduation from Yale Law School

NEW HAVEN, CT -- On May 24, 1999, Jelani Eddington graduated from Yale Law School, bringing to an end a rigorous three-year law program at one of America's most prestigious law schools. The law school officially voted the degree of Juris Doctor on June 2, 1999. While at law school, Jelani continued his busy concert schedule, but still found time to devote to an intensive academic schedule.

While in law school, Jelani participated in the Landlord-Tenant clinic at the Yale Legal Services Organization (LSO). LSO provides free legal services to members of the New Haven community who are unable to afford private legal representation. During his work at LSO, Jelani actively defended a number of local residents facing eviction from their homes. Also while at Yale, Jelani competed several times in the Morris Tyler Moot Court of Appeals, a simulated appellate argument competition. In the fall of 1997, Jelani advanced to the semifinal round of competition in arguing a recent landmark sexual harassment case, Oncale v. Sundowner.

During the summer between his first and second years, Jelani worked as a legal intern at the Youth Law Project in Auckland, New Zealand. In his position in Auckland, Jelani helped to advocate for the rights of young persons in the area of education law. During the summer after his second year, Jelani worked as a summer associate at Proskauer Rose LLP, the law firm that Jelani will join in September 1999.

Upon graduation from Yale, Jelani will begin studying and preparing for the New York bar examination, which he will take on July 27th and 28th in Albany, NY. Upon his successful completion of the examination, Jelani will seek admission from the New York bar, and will be sworn in as an attorney by the New York Court of Appeals shortly thereafter.