Parris Academy for Excellence in Law & Leadership | Southwestern Law School
Source: https://swlaw.edu/ParrisAcademy
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:36
Parris Academy for Excellence in Law & Leadership | Southwestern Law School
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Southwestern
Law School
Los Angeles
A Premier Leadership Development Initiative at Southwestern Law School
About the Parris Academy
The Parris Academy for Excellence in Law & Leadership is a premier leadership development program designed to equip law students with the critical skills necessary to become transformative legal leaders. Founded with the support of R. Rex Parris '80 and his wife Carrol Parris, the program offers immersive training in advocacy, strategic thinking, professionalism, and leadership.
Through interactive lectures, hands-on workshops, and mentorship opportunities, students gain practical experience in decision-making, communication, and ethical leadership.
Why Join the Parris Academy?
The Academy is structured into three distinct phases, each offering progressive skill-building opportunities for students committed to excellence in leadership:
Phase 1 (typically one academic year): Exploration
– Leadership lectures and professional development workshops.
Phase 2 (typically one academic year): Engagement
– Hands-on leadership practice, interactive training, and mentorship.
Phase 3 (typically one academic year): Execution
– Real-world leadership projects, advanced training, and professional networking.
Students gain valuable insights from top legal minds, engage in exclusive networking opportunities, and develop practical skills applicable in the courtroom, boardroom, and beyond.
Leadership Competencies
The program’s leadership competencies emphasize skills-based learning.
Two foundational competencies—
Lifelong Learning
and
Professionalism & Civility
—will be emphasized across all three phases.
Phases 1 and 2 will focus on four primary competencies:
Interpersonal Awareness
Team Dynamics
Persuasion
Technological Fluency
For Phase 3, two advanced competencies will be added:
Creative Problem-Solving
Project & Process Management
"Though I still have much to learn from the Parris Academy, it has already given me a renewed sense of confidence both academically and professionally. Hearing R. Rex Parris share his experiences in law school has encouraged me to prioritize my personal learning, identify areas for growth, and develop a deliberate plan for improvement. Professionally, I feel more assured in my abilities and potential for success. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from distinguished professionals and to continue growing in my journey." —
Malina Manni, 2L Full-Time Day Program
"Through the Parris Academy seminar, I've learned the importance of taking my time before speaking, which has significantly improved my confidence in public speaking settings. As my mandatory oral argument rounds approach, I plan to implement these techniques, focusing on pausing to thoughtfully answer difficult questions and using engaging hand movements and confident body language to persuade my audience."
—
Ryan Willoughby, 2L Full-Time Day Program
Meet Our Leaders
(L to R) Cody Morrison, R. Rex Parris, and Professor Jodi Jewell
R. Rex Parris
Founder, Parris Law Firm & Visionary Supporter of the Parris Academy
R. Rex Parris, the founding partner of Parris Law Firm, is a nationally recognized trial lawyer and the Mayor of Lancaster. He has a reputation for securing record-breaking verdicts and has built a legacy of fighting for justice and mentoring future legal leaders. His passion for leadership and advocacy is the driving force behind the Parris Academy’s mission.
Read R. Rex Parris's Full Bio
Professor Jodi Jewell
Faculty Director, Parris Academy
Professor Jodi Jewell is a respected legal educator and mentor who plays a critical role in developing curriculum and guiding students through the Academy’s various phases. Her legal analysis, communication, and professionalism expertise enriches the student learning experience.
Read Professor Jodi Jewell's Full Bio
Cody Morrison
Director, Parris Academy for Excellence in Law & Leadership
Cody Morrison brings extensive experience in law, leadership, and academic administration to the Parris Academy. As Director, he oversees programming, strategic initiatives, and student engagement, ensuring that the Academy’s vision aligns with the evolving needs of legal education.
Read Cody Morrison's Full Bio
Resources and Links
Parris Law Firm Official Website
Parris Academy Canvas Page
Contact Information
Jodi Jewell
Professor of Law
Tel:
213-738-6879
Email:
jjewell@swlaw.edu
Southwestern Law School’s Parris Academy for Excellence in Law & Leadership Welcomes Inspiring Guest Speakers
Southwestern Law’s Parris Academy Showcases Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, and Mediation Mastery
Skip to main content
Navigation
Southwestern
Law School
Los Angeles
A Premier Leadership Development Initiative at Southwestern Law School
About the Parris Academy
The Parris Academy for Excellence in Law & Leadership is a premier leadership development program designed to equip law students with the critical skills necessary to become transformative legal leaders. Founded with the support of R. Rex Parris '80 and his wife Carrol Parris, the program offers immersive training in advocacy, strategic thinking, professionalism, and leadership.
Through interactive lectures, hands-on workshops, and mentorship opportunities, students gain practical experience in decision-making, communication, and ethical leadership.
Why Join the Parris Academy?
The Academy is structured into three distinct phases, each offering progressive skill-building opportunities for students committed to excellence in leadership:
Phase 1 (typically one academic year): Exploration
– Leadership lectures and professional development workshops.
Phase 2 (typically one academic year): Engagement
– Hands-on leadership practice, interactive training, and mentorship.
Phase 3 (typically one academic year): Execution
– Real-world leadership projects, advanced training, and professional networking.
Students gain valuable insights from top legal minds, engage in exclusive networking opportunities, and develop practical skills applicable in the courtroom, boardroom, and beyond.
Leadership Competencies
The program’s leadership competencies emphasize skills-based learning.
Two foundational competencies—
Lifelong Learning
and
Professionalism & Civility
—will be emphasized across all three phases.
Phases 1 and 2 will focus on four primary competencies:
Interpersonal Awareness
Team Dynamics
Persuasion
Technological Fluency
For Phase 3, two advanced competencies will be added:
Creative Problem-Solving
Project & Process Management
"Though I still have much to learn from the Parris Academy, it has already given me a renewed sense of confidence both academically and professionally. Hearing R. Rex Parris share his experiences in law school has encouraged me to prioritize my personal learning, identify areas for growth, and develop a deliberate plan for improvement. Professionally, I feel more assured in my abilities and potential for success. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from distinguished professionals and to continue growing in my journey." —
Malina Manni, 2L Full-Time Day Program
"Through the Parris Academy seminar, I've learned the importance of taking my time before speaking, which has significantly improved my confidence in public speaking settings. As my mandatory oral argument rounds approach, I plan to implement these techniques, focusing on pausing to thoughtfully answer difficult questions and using engaging hand movements and confident body language to persuade my audience."
—
Ryan Willoughby, 2L Full-Time Day Program
Meet Our Leaders
(L to R) Cody Morrison, R. Rex Parris, and Professor Jodi Jewell
R. Rex Parris
Founder, Parris Law Firm & Visionary Supporter of the Parris Academy
R. Rex Parris, the founding partner of Parris Law Firm, is a nationally recognized trial lawyer and the Mayor of Lancaster. He has a reputation for securing record-breaking verdicts and has built a legacy of fighting for justice and mentoring future legal leaders. His passion for leadership and advocacy is the driving force behind the Parris Academy’s mission.
Read R. Rex Parris's Full Bio
Professor Jodi Jewell
Faculty Director, Parris Academy
Professor Jodi Jewell is a respected legal educator and mentor who plays a critical role in developing curriculum and guiding students through the Academy’s various phases. Her legal analysis, communication, and professionalism expertise enriches the student learning experience.
Read Professor Jodi Jewell's Full Bio
Cody Morrison
Director, Parris Academy for Excellence in Law & Leadership
Cody Morrison brings extensive experience in law, leadership, and academic administration to the Parris Academy. As Director, he oversees programming, strategic initiatives, and student engagement, ensuring that the Academy’s vision aligns with the evolving needs of legal education.
Read Cody Morrison's Full Bio
Resources and Links
Parris Law Firm Official Website
Parris Academy Canvas Page
Contact Information
Jodi Jewell
Professor of Law
Tel:
213-738-6879
Email:
jjewell@swlaw.edu
Southwestern Law School’s Parris Academy for Excellence in Law & Leadership Welcomes Inspiring Guest Speakers
Southwestern Law’s Parris Academy Showcases Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, and Mediation Mastery