From HBCU to PWI Law School: The Culture Shock is Real

Going from an HBCU to a PWI for law school is a huge adjustment. The academics are tough, but the real challenge is the culture shift.

At an HBCU, you feel a sense of community. Professors look out for you, classmates feel like family, and you don’t have to explain yourself. At a PWI, that support isn’t always there. You might be one of the few Black students in the room. Finding mentors is harder. Networking circles feel closed off. Even the way you talk or study might feel different from everyone else.

For first-generation law students, this can make things even tougher. Without a strong support system, it’s easy to feel out of place. Doubt can creep in. The workload feels heavier when you don’t have people to lean on.

The key is to find your people. Join BLSA. Connect with Black professors and alumni. Build a circle that keeps you grounded. Law school is hard for everyone, but you belong there just as much as anyone else. Never forget that.

Beyond the Briefcase: How Suits Made Law Look Thrilling (And Why It Is)

Corporate law is clearly not dull if you have ever watched Suits. The high-powered lawyers, aggressive deals, and intense courtroom rivalries look more like an action-packed game of chess than a 9-5 job. While “Suits” is true to life in many ways, the show certainly over dramatizes legal practice (Since when did a law school drop outs like Mike Ross get into big time law firms?), but it also captures one thing accurately: the passion and motivation, insane competition, and steeped magnitude of reflections required to survive in the field make it a vigorous as well as rewarding.

What stands out the most in Suits is pride or let’s be for real, blunt arrogance, showcased by almost all the lawyers. Harvey Specter, the star attorney of the firm, strides in every room as if he has already made the final victory lap – spitting out half-made sarcastic jokes and winning cases as if he hasn’t even broken a sweat. Not every lawyer is fortunate enough to win every case but there hero disagrees with the idea that cumulation, calculation, and being ready is what matters in high risk corporate law. The stereotypical narrative of lawyers as drab workaholics is far from the truth. Corporate lawyers are in charge of million-dollar client accounts and have the power to make or break large enterprises singlehandedly.

How to Turn a Tweet Into a Lawsuit (And Other Social Media Tips)

Social media is entertaining and fun, until you find yourself wondering if your tweet can be used as proof in court. We've all done it: a late-night Twitter or TikTok scroll or looking in the comment sections to see a fiery Instagram back and forth. However, your social media comments and interactions could come back to haunt you in court.

To start, nothing you post on the internet is really private. Schools, businesses, and even police departments monitor social media on a regular basis before making a judgment about you. Inevitably, your social media tells everyone everything there is to know about you. How do you think Joe Goldberg was able to figure out so much information about his victims, I mean love interests. But the most shocking statistic is that courts have actually used social media posts as evidence in criminal cases. Ultimately, people are putting their lives on blast.

I'm sure you've seen cases where celebrities or athletes tweets whose provocative tweets from high school days surfaced such as Chrissy Tegan, Sabrina Claudio, Azealia Banks (who seems to unapologetically get into online feuds with everyone), and more. It's one thing to have your fan base dig up dirt on you, but what happens when law enforcement does? Let's discuss defamation.

Defamation is when you tweet out false information about someone which harms that person's reputation. Think twice before you Twitter-rant somebody or posting that shady rumor. A retweet even can land you in the courtroom. Recently, Cardi B sued YouTuber Tasha K for defamation when Tasha tweeted out false claims against her in 2022. Tasha K lost, and Cardi was awarded $4 million in damages. Imagine getting sued over a tweet or a video that took less than five minutes to make.

So the next time you're about to speak your mind in the comment section, ask yourself: "Would I want to explain this in front of a judge?" If you say no, maybe it's time to delete your comment instead of pressing send. Once it's out on the internet, it's there forever!

Social media can be fun, but its also a legal minefield! So post responsibly, then, unless you'd prefer to end up on the wrong side of a defamation case.

The Pre-Law Grind: The Steps I'm Taking to Prepare for Law School

  Law school isn’t just about getting good grades—it’s about preparation, strategy, and building connections. As a junior in college, I’m already laying the groundwork to make my transition smoother.

One of the biggest steps is the LSAT, the law school entrance exam. I’ve started researching study resources like Khan Academy’s free LSAT prep and Kaplan as well as planning when I’ll take the test. Beyond academics, networking is key. I’m attending pre-law society events, connecting with current law students, and shadowing professionals.

Another major factor is understanding law school applications. GPA matters, but so does personal branding. That’s why I’m refining my writing skills now because crafting a strong personal statement is crucial! 

Most importantly, I’m exposing myself to legal concepts early. Whether through legal internships, political science courses, or staying updated on major Supreme Court cases, I want to enter law school feeling prepared as should all pre-law students. Here's a picture of me (left side by flag) at The University of Texas at Austin School of Law (where I was able to networking with professors, and future lawyers.The journey isn’t easy, but success is ultimately built on preparation and I'm making every step count.

Passing the Bar, Not Just the Mic: Why We Need More Black Lawyers

 The law impacts every part of our lives, yet Black lawyers make up only 5% of all American lawyers. I saw the impact of this when I was growing up, not just in the courtroom, but in how communities of color are treated by the justice system. That absence can shape the trajectory of cases, policies, and lives.

My biggest role model for becoming an attorney is Uncle Phil, of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Watching him balance his stressful job as a judge with being a father and a mentor opened my eyes. He showed me that being involved with law isn't all about winning in court, but about fighting for justice and making your position leave an impact. Seeing him stand up for his people and his family, and do it all with such dignity, inspired me to dream bigger. I aspire to be someone who can do the same. I aspire to become a part of that 5%.

Historically, we've had institutional barriers that made it difficult to become lawyers, and even now, Black students continue to wrestle with a lack of funds, fewer textbooks, and fewer networks. These barriers can make law an unreachable aspiration, but I'm here to re-write the script. Representation matters. As a future attorney, I'm confident that my voice, along with the voices of other Black attorneys, will provide more balanced and fair legal verdicts.

We've already witnessed the power of Black lawyers in action such as Thurgood Marshall, who ended segregation within schools (Brown v. Board of Education), and Ben Crump, who is still fighting for civil rights today. They encourage me to keep pushing towards my dream, even with the setbacks. Groups such as the Blackstone Pre-Law Society at Prairie View A&M University are helping me and other aspiring attorney's connect, receive mentorship, and have access to the resources we need to succeed.

Greater diversity within the law isn't simply about numbers, but about making justice a reality for all. When lawmakers, defenders of clients, and judges resemble society, we are all better off. That's the type of judicial system I'd like to assist in building. Here's a picture of me at PV Day at the Capitol, advocating for more funds for my institution, Prairie View A&M University. I had the opportunity to speak with influential members of the House of Representatives at the Texas State Capitol.