Marlon Smikle High Quality Photo

Marlon Smikle of Orlando, Florida is one of about thirty students participating in the 2010 Indiana Conference for Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) Summer Institute in Valparaiso, Indiana.  CLEO is a program designed to assist Indiana minority, low income or educationally disadvantaged college graduates in pursuing a law degree and a career in the Indiana legal community.

Smikle is the son of Mark Smikle of Tennessee and Winsome Smikle of Florida.  He is a 2004 graduate of Lake Brantley High School of Altamonte Springs, Florida.  Smikle was active in teen court and high school mentoring.   He is a 2008 graduate of Stetson University with a degree in Finance.  He was awarded the Deans scholarship at Stetson University as well as Florida’s Bright Futures Medallion Scholarship.  He plans to attend Valparaiso University School of Law in the fall and was honored to be named a CLEO Fellow. “Watching my dream of becoming an attorney slowly unfold is an incredible feeling.  With the knowledge and tools provided by ICLEO I will have an advantage that will ensure my dream becomes a reality.”

Indiana CLEO was established in 1997 by the Indiana General Assembly and Governor Frank O’Bannon at the urging of Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard.  Chief Justice Shepard explained, “Over the past 13 years CLEO has encouraged young adults with promise to enter the legal field.  These are students who traditionally do not turn to a career choice in the legal arena, but with CLEO as a spring board they are successful.  I’m proud of each student and excited to see what talents the newest CLEO class brings to the legal community.” 

Each year, Indiana CLEO accepts approximately 30 college graduates into the program.  The students attend a six-week Summer Institute held at one of the four Indiana law schools.  This year, the program is at Valparaiso University School of Law.  CLEO is designed to prepare the students for the rigors of their upcoming law school experience.  The students are introduced to areas of law which they will encounter during their first year of law school.  They take part in a challenging curriculum and receive tips for law school success and professional development.  The Indiana Supreme Court’s Division of State Court Administration provides staff support and financial management for CLEO.

After successful completion of the Indiana CLEO Summer Institute, students are eligible for an annual stipend ranging from $6,500 - $9,000.   Stipends may be awarded for up to three successive years if the student remains eligible.  After graduation, CLEO Fellows continue to have a supportive network of legal mentors comprised of alumni and program supporters.