Recently, I had the privilege of attending Judge Paul Watford's speech to Marquette Law's Class of 2023, where he delivered a powerful message about the importance of incorporating public service into our lives. This speech deeply resonated with me, as I have already been involved in public service during my undergraduate years, and I am wholeheartedly committed to continuing on this path. Throughout my time serving three terms on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission in Washington, D.C., I witnessed the remarkable development and transformation of my local community. It was during this experience that I had the opportunity to engage with various segments of society, including youth in schools and even individuals in the local jail. Through these interactions, I realized the potential for my legal education to have a tangible and positive impact on people's lives. Upon graduating, I have set my sights on working as a public defender at the beginning of my legal career. I firmly believe that this role will provide me with a unique platform to make a difference, particularly in the lives of young individuals who share my background but may not have had the same opportunities that my parents were able to provide me. While I may not have complete control over the outcome of their criminal cases, I am determined to inspire and empower them, helping them realize their potential and guiding them towards a better future. Moreover, my experiences in government, coupled with my legal knowledge, have equipped me to advocate for policies that prioritize community safety and contribute to a brighter future for returning citizens. My involvement with organizations such as Catholic Charities has exposed me to the hardships faced by people experiencing homelessness and those reentering society after incarceration. Rooted in my Catholic faith, I feel a profound responsibility to advocate for these individuals, recognizing their inherent worth and striving to address the challenges they encounter. Additionally, I am driven to enhance access to legal services within minority communities. To bridge the gap between these communities and the legal support they require, I intend to engage in various community outreach initiatives. Whether through participating in career days, facilitating legal question sessions at local establishments, or conducting door-to-door interactions, I am committed to ensuring that proximity and financial constraints no longer limit their access to legal representation. It is my firm determination to dismantle these barriers and empower individuals within these communities to assert their rights and seek justice. At present, I am actively making an impact in my community through my involvement in several legal clinics. For instance, I am proud to contribute to the Family Forms Clinic at the local courthouse, where we address important issues such as divorces, custody matters, and name changes. Furthermore, my participation in the Eviction Defense Clinic with Legal Action of Wisconsin and the Estate Planning Clinic at the Milwaukee Volunteer Legal Clinic has further ignited my dedication to effecting meaningful change. In conclusion, the opportunity to make a difference in my community holds immense significance for me, and I wholeheartedly intend to make it a central focus of my legal career. I am acutely aware that effecting substantial change in the world is a gradual process that demands unwavering dedication and perseverance. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that, step by step, we can create a better world that benefits everyone. By combining my legal expertise with a genuine passion for public service, I am confident that I can contribute to this transformation and play a role in building a more just and inclusive society.

Achieving my current position in life, particularly coming from an area plagued by high crime and gang activity, was not an easy feat. Several of my relatives experienced the harsh realities of the criminal justice system. I am eternally grateful that my parents believed in us and made intentional choices to ensure our well-being. While some of my peers succumbed to the allure of gang activity, my siblings and I were directed toward Boy Scout and Girl Scout meetings, respectively. My mother, who transitioned from an IT career with the Pentagon to early childhood education, championed the value of education and consistently encouraged—sometimes even pushed—us to prioritize our studies. She also empowered us to seek assistance from guidance counselors and teachers whenever needed and even arranged for tutors when additional resources were necessary. Without such unwavering support, I cannot imagine where I would be today, but I am confident it would not be as a second-year law student at one of the top 70 law schools in the country. Throughout my time serving three terms on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission in Washington, D.C., I witnessed the remarkable development and transformation of my local community. During this experience, I had the opportunity to engage with various segments of society, including youth in schools and even individuals in the local jail. Through these interactions, I realized the potential for my legal education to have a tangible and positive impact on people's lives. Upon graduating, I set my sights on working as a public defender at the beginning of my legal career. I firmly believe that this role will provide me with a unique platform to make a difference, particularly in the lives of young individuals who share my background but may not have had the same opportunities that my parents were able to provide me. Moreover, my experiences in government, coupled with my legal knowledge, have equipped me to advocate for policies that prioritize community safety and contribute to a brighter future for returning citizens. My involvement with organizations such as Catholic Charities has exposed me to the hardships faced by people experiencing homelessness and those reentering society after incarceration. Rooted in my Catholic faith, I feel a profound responsibility to advocate for these individuals, recognizing their inherent worth and striving to address the challenges they encounter. Additionally, I am driven to enhance access to legal services within minority communities. To bridge the gap between these communities and the legal support they require, I intend to engage in various community outreach initiatives. Whether through participating in career days, facilitating legal question sessions at local establishments, or conducting door-to-door interactions, I am committed to ensuring that proximity and financial constraints no longer limit their access to legal representation. It is my firm determination to dismantle these barriers and empower individuals within these communities to assert their rights and seek justice. In conclusion, the opportunity to make a difference in my community holds immense significance for me, and I wholeheartedly intend to make it a central focus of my legal career. I am acutely aware that effecting substantial change in the world is a gradual process that demands unwavering dedication and perseverance. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that step by step, we can create a better world that benefits everyone. By combining my legal expertise with a genuine passion for public service, I am confident that I can contribute to this transformation and play a role in building a more just and inclusive society.

My exposure to the legal system began at a young age when I learned that some of my relatives had been incarcerated. This early exposure sparked my interest in the legal field, which grew stronger in high school when my guidance counselor recommended me for an internship at a law firm—an opportunity I eagerly embraced. Throughout college, I dedicated my time to mentoring young inmates, aiming to inspire them and convey that they could succeed in life regardless of their circumstances. I emphasized that the process of personal growth could start as soon as they chose, rather than waiting until their release. Although my involvement in the legal field paused briefly, it resumed when I entered law school, where my experiences thus far have profoundly altered my worldview. Motivated by a desire to make a difference, I actively sought opportunities to contribute. During my first semester, I volunteered at the Family Forms Clinic in our local courthouse, where I assisted individuals with various issues such as custody disputes, divorce proceedings, and name changes. Witnessing the challenges my clients faced within the complex legal system strengthened my resolve to return each week, driven by their gratitude and a deepening hunger to help others. This summer, I am excited to continue my pro bono legal work, focusing on assisting individuals facing eviction in our Eviction Defense Clinic and providing guidance to those preparing for end-of-life matters in the Estate Planning Clinic. Additionally, I will maintain my involvement with the Family Forms Clinic. Although I am not yet a licensed attorney, I am fortunate to possess legal knowledge that enables me to support those in need. I am positive that after I'm sworn in on the day after graduation that public service will be a vital piece of my everyday life as an attorney. Achieving my current position in life, particularly coming from an area plagued by high crime and gang activity, was not an easy feat. As I mentioned, several of my relatives experienced the harsh realities of the criminal justice system. I am eternally grateful that my parents believed in us and made intentional choices to ensure our well-being. While some of my peers succumbed to the allure of gang activity, my siblings and I were directed toward Boy Scout and Girl Scout meetings, respectively. My mother, who transitioned from an IT career with the Pentagon to early childhood education, championed the value of education and consistently encouraged—sometimes even pushed—us to prioritize our studies. She also empowered us to seek assistance from guidance counselors and teachers whenever needed and even arranged for tutors when additional resources were necessary. Without such unwavering support, I cannot imagine where I would be today, but I am confident it would not be as a second-year law student at one of the top 70 law schools in the country.

“...So help me God”, I say, as Councilman Kenyan McDuffie finishes administering my oath of office to become a new Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner. Four years after accepting a bribe in the form of pizza from my cousin to knock on doors for his school board campaign, shifting my goal to be a software engineer to a public servant, I realized the weight of my new role. Elected in a special election just days before, I was now responsible for representing the school where I started as a freshman just months before to the D.C. Council, city agencies, and the Office of the Mayor. My first act of business as an elected official was to quickly rush to the D.C. Metro and attend my first community meeting, where dealing with issues including zoning permits, trash pick-up, and liquor licenses were very common. If you are comparing this to Parks and Rec’s depiction of community meetings, you’re exactly right. However, to understand this dedication to public service, this story has to begin with a set of neckerchiefs that will change my life forever. From the orange Tiger neckerchief that my mother put on me in the first grade to the red, white, and blue neckerchief reserved for Eagle Scouts that my mother ceremoniously put on at age 16, my 12 years as a youth member, and so far, 3 years as an adult volunteer of the Boy Scouts of America has shaped my life in more ways than I could fit within the given parameters of this essay. Whether learning to fold a flag, build a campfire, lead an entire 50-person troop, or teach a skill to Cub Scouts, the Boy Scouts of America really does live up to its mission, developing boys and girls who will be prepared for life. Most importantly, my scouting years inspired me to ask “why”, to identify a problem, and to solve it. Whether it was figuring out how to build a fire after days of rain or to understand how our government works or why caring for the environment is important, the merit badges and rank advancement continually reinforced this important lesson. When it was time to meet with my guidance counselor to discuss career options, I laid out my interests - helping people, making a difference, and the people skills I developed knocking on doors on behalf of my cousin. As you can probably predict, she recommended a career in the law and recommended that I apply to the Law Links program. There were no lawyers in my family and, at the time, I’d never met a lawyer but I decided to do as much research as possible about this fascinating career possibility. Later, I was accepted as a Law Links intern, a program run by the Administrative Judge in Prince George’s County, Maryland where high schoolers are paired with law firms and offices within the courthouse for the summer. When I learned that I would be paired with the Law Office of Shipley & Horne, P.A., I could not anticipate the impact the summer would have on my life. Under the mentorship of L. Paul Jackson, Esq., the firm mainly on civil cases including the launch of the MGM Casino at the National Harbor, minutes away from the D.C. border. Mr. Jackson went above and beyond in his role as a boss and mentor. It was clear that helping me pursue my interest in the law was a priority for him. On days he went to the courthouse, we would spend time exploring different courtrooms where he would explain the situation to the best of his ability. One day, we visited the juvenile court of (name), and I began to ask myself why a majority of the defendants who came before Judge Dawson looked like me. I thought of my cousin Matt, with whom I had a very similar upbringing, who was spending his summer in a much different place than I was, the Prince George’s County Juvenile facility serving a sentence for armed robbery. As a fan of Law and Order and other crime shows, I expected the judge to enthusiastically send each guilty defendant away with a lengthy prison sentence. However, I saw the judge’s desire to mentor the kids, a desire the prosecutors shared. Rather than prison, they recommended community service, mentorship programs, letter writing, and various other forms of punishment and I was in awe. Later, I was able to schedule a meeting with the Judge, who had the same question I did, why do these defendants look like we do, and had the same question growing up, “how can I make this better”, leading him to a career as a prosecutor and later, a judge. As I left, I knew that this inspiration to go to law school and be a prosecutor would not go away. I was excited that Judge Dawson connected me with several prosecutors who I was also able to meet with and while explaining their job, they made sure to mention that being a prosecutor includes some parts of the jobs that TV producers chose not to include but also included some really rewarding moments. To this day, my desire to ask “why”, my love for books to help solve those big problems, and the Law Links internship experience have all stuck with me. After a lifelong journey of wanting to solve the problems I see in the news and books, I believe a Juris Doctor degree from the Marquette University School of Law with a concentration in criminal justice would be vital to go from an observer in that courtroom several years ago to an advocate for those who need it most.

In order to address both current and future debt, I have devised several strategies. Firstly, during my time in law school, I intend to work diligently to improve my GPA, thereby increasing my eligibility for scholarships. By maximizing my scholarship opportunities, I will be able to borrow less and reduce my overall debt burden. I have been inspired by my mother, who recently obtained a Master's Degree in early childhood education and has instilled in me the importance of scholarships and efficient financial management during our academic pursuits. Additionally, I plan to seek part-time employment starting from my second year, allowing me to supplement my income and rely less on student loans. I was able to work several hours as a proctor in the School of Dentistry where I worked with students with unique needs as they continued their pursuit in dentistry. Although it is commonly discouraged to work during the first year of law school due to the unique challenges it presents, I was determined to strike a balance and navigate the demands of law school effectively. Furthermore, my future aspirations lie in the fields of real estate and trusts/estates law. With this career goal in mind, I am actively expanding my professional network through informational interviews. I employ various strategies such as cold emailing and attending networking events to connect with professionals in these areas of law. Additionally, as my desired field of law may change over time, I am committed to conducting thorough research on the average salaries in each area to ensure that I can adequately manage my loan repayments. While monetary considerations do not solely dictate my choice of legal specialization, I must be mindful of my student loans accumulated during my undergraduate studies and throughout law school. Upon graduation, my priority will be to make consistent payments towards my debt, aiming to eliminate it as swiftly as possible while still meeting my essential needs. Drawing from my previous experience of successfully repaying my undergraduate loans during a three-year break before law school, I possess a proven track record in loan management and budgeting. This experience will enable me to effectively allocate my monthly resources to ensure timely loan payments. In conclusion, leveraging my prior success in loan repayment, I am dedicated to continuing my debt payment journey after the deferment period ends. Throughout law school, I will optimize my opportunities by networking with professionals in my desired field and seeking employment during my second and third years. Following graduation, I will develop a comprehensive plan to ensure consistent and punctual loan repayments, thus achieving financial stability.