Ms. JD

This weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Ms. JD Leadership Academy Intensive at Boston University School of Law. It was inspiring to spend two days learning from accomplished women in the legal profession and connecting with future attorneys from across the country. Attending during Women’s History Month made the experience even more powerful. I left the weekend energized by the opportunity to learn alongside such thoughtful and driven peers. One key takeaway that will stay with me is the importance of self-advocacy. Sometimes that means creating space for yourself in rooms where there may not yet be a seat at the table, and then making sure to help create more seats for those who follow. Thank you to University of San Francisco School of Law for encouraging and supporting students to participate in opportunities like this. Looking forward to staying connected with the incredible people I met and continuing to learn from this community.

I had the honor of attending the Ms. JD Leadership Academy Intensive at Boston University School of Law this past weekend. The program provided a great opportunity to step away from the casebooks and focus on the professional skills that are essential for a career in law. From navigating career advocacy to building a strategic professional network, the sessions offered practical insights into the "soft" skills that define successful legal practice. It was particularly valuable to connect with such a motivated group of peers and hear from mentors who have navigated these same paths. Thank you to the team at Ms. JD and the faculty at BU Law for hosting such an impactful event! I’m looking forward to applying these leadership lessons as I continue my legal education and transition into my professional career.

This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending the Ms. JD Leadership Academy Intensive at Boston University School of Law. I had the chance to hear from accomplished attorneys about their journeys through the legal profession and connect with amazing law students from across the country. The conversations we had were real and honest, the people were incredible, and I learned so much from the past weekend. Thank you to the Ms. JD team and everyone who made this experience possible! Can't wait to see what's ahead!

I don’t usually post on LinkedIn, but my experience at Ms. JD’s leadership conference changed that. I was honored to be selected to attend this conference, an experience I will carry with me for a long time. Ms. JD is an organization dedicated to supporting and advancing women in the legal profession through mentorship, resources, and community. Being in a room filled with accomplished, powerful, and authentic women, especially women of color, was grounding. For the first time in a long time, my imposter syndrome felt quiet, almost nonexistent. Representation truly matters. When you see women who look like you and succeed in spaces you aspire to be in, something shifts. I’ve always thought networking could feel forced or transactional, but this did not feel like networking at all. It felt like coming home. I also built genuine friendships with other law students, connecting with thoughtful, driven peers navigating similar paths. Each speaker reinforced growth and self-advocacy. Virginia H. Johnson spoke about creating your own luck by putting yourself in the right rooms and owning what you know. Joanne Mondestil (Louis) and Seendy Fouron emphasized building skills, upselling yourself and trying new things, while April Giancola reminded us that you will not get what you do not ask for. Clerk Allison S. Cartwright spoke about finding and keeping joy outside of the law. On the self-advocacy panel, McKenzie Cotter challenged the idea of being labeled “difficult” as a female attorney, Mary Jennings spoke about aligning personal and team goals, AnnaMaria Kiaresh emphasized preparation and consistency to build credibility, and Mariel Obersheimer highlighted embracing your unique strenghts and seeking mentorship. During mentorship circles, Tara Singh and Wendoly Langlois encouraged us to explore broadly and show up confidently as women of color. Taisha N. Sturdivant-Ulysse reminded us that networking is rooted in respect for all. Hazel-Ann Mayers closed by reminding us that our pivots shape our success. I left with more than knowledge. I left with a deeper sense of belonging and self confidence. We belong in these rooms. Not because we were invited, but because we are meant to be here.

The Ms. JD Leadership Academy Intensive in Boston was a weekend filled with "aha" moments. It was a joy catching up with familiar faces and building new connections during our small-group sessions. I’m incredibly grateful for the honest conversations that made my final Leadership Academy as a student so special. 💞 ✨ My takeaways: ✨ -Peer-to-peer learning is underrated: Our future colleagues are sitting right next to us. Sharing challenges with fellow 1Ls/2Ls/3Ls provided a unique perspective that you can’t get from a traditional lecture. -Leadership is forged in failure: We often focus on highlights, but the speakers reminded us that true leadership is built during the setbacks, not just the successes. -The journey changes, the strategy evolves: The legal field is dynamic. What works for you now will shift as you enter practice, and staying adaptable is how you thrive. -Opportunities are built, not just found: Success isn’t passive. You have to be intentional about positioning yourself for growth before the opportunity arises. -Resilience is a skill: It’s about taking a hit, owning the experience, and using that momentum to push forward. Thank you so much to the panelists, speakers, mentors, Ms. JD, Brianca Hurley and Heather Ruiz!!!

This weekend’s Ms. JD Leadership Intensive at Boston University School of Law was a whirlwind of encouragement, support, motivation, and inspiration. Most of all, it was a chance to connect with the utterly incredible future women leaders in my Ms. JD Fellows cohort. I can’t wait to see how we all continue to shine and lead!

Still energized after the Ms. JD Leadership Academy Intensive this weekend! We explored self-advocacy, growth, resilience, and building meaningful connections - and I left inspired by insights from both fellow speakers and the next generation of brilliant women in legal. Takeaways designed to accelerate growth: • Confidence grows through experience and repetition - keep showing up. • Setbacks can launch growth, perspective, and wisdom. Respond strategically. • When self-doubt arises, ground yourself in your skills and the work you’ve done to remind yourself you’ve earned your seat. • Energy and time are finite - use both wisely. • Trust is earned through the quality of your work and the consistency of how you show up. • No one will champion your career like you can - advocate for yourself. • The clearer you are about your goals, the more effectively others can help you grow. A big thank you to the Ms. JD team for creating a community dedicated to supporting and empowering women in law. Being part of it is inspiring and a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we lift each other up.