Shardé Skahan felt drawn to legislation research since she was a highschool scholar. After being inspired by her mother and father to hitch a program that launched minorities to legislation practices, she knew she had discovered the profession path she needed to observe.
Skahan shared, “My mother and father signed me up for a course over the summer season that was meant to introduce minority highschool college students to the follow of legislation.
“I participated in that program the place we received to go to an area legislation college, learn circumstances, and do a mock trial on the finish. And likewise communicate to legal professionals and judges in regards to the occupation.”
One of many greatest challenges she has encountered has been going through disrespect in her occupation.
Skahan mentioned, “A problem that I feel is widespread to a variety of minority legal professionals, however particularly Black feminine legal professionals, is ensuring that you’re taken significantly and revered in your occupation.”
She additionally added that she’s had experiences the place she is requested if she is a secretary or a paralegal, though she is the lawyer dealing with the case.
After graduating from the College of Minnesota Legislation College, Skahan moved to Southern California, and whereas searching for a job she joined the Black Girls Legal professionals Affiliation(BWL), the place she discovered the assist she wanted to land her first interview.
After being linked to an area legislation agency with the assistance of the BWL President on the time, Skahan was instantly employed and commenced her first official place as an employment lawyer.
The BWL not too long ago celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in April. The BWL is a non-profit company whose mission is devoted to charitable, academic, and community-based providers, and addressing the wants and considerations of African American Girls within the authorized discipline.
For Skahan, being the fiftieth president of the BWL, she feels the group has helped her discover group, friendship, and assist.
“It’s a momentous time for me to have the ability to be president, and I really feel very lucky to carry that place,” she shared.
“However except for simply with the ability to have a group inside the Los Angeles authorized occupation, it has additionally been a supply of friendship, assist, and of offering me with a chance to get to know various kinds of individuals.”
As president, she is striving to make a significant affect in the neighborhood and for future generations.
Skahan mentioned, “I hope to affect the group and affect potential legislation college students. That’s certainly one of my targets in my presidency- supporting the pipeline of future generations of legal professionals. Even when we are able to make a distinction in a single scholar’s life who says they really feel they received the mentoring they wanted, or that they determined to turn out to be a lawyer as a result of they met somebody from BWL, then that might be successful to me.”
Through the Los Angeles wildfires in January, the BWL spearheaded authorized clinics to assist affected communities, partnering with native Bar Associations and recruiting 175 legal professionals as volunteers.
“It actually was a group effort, which was good to see,” Skahan mentioned.
The group has additionally been exhausting at work revamping their mentorship program to make sure that legislation college students, and college students considering legislation, are in a position to join with legal professionals that may provide them steering and mentorship.
“Every year we additionally ensure that to interact our younger legal professionals and our legislation college students, and we’ve got a vital program that we do yearly with the John M. Langston Bar Affiliation, the place we host Bar overview programs for college kids who’re finding out for the Bar [Exam],”she explaine.
For Skahan, a chunk of recommendation she would give to somebody desirous to turn out to be a lawyer is to get publicity within the discipline.
“Many legal professionals within the occupation are greater than keen to speak to highschool college students and even legislation college students who’ve an curiosity of their follow space and simply wish to study extra,” she famous.
“I discover that the group actually does wish to assist to show the occupation to different individuals.”
To study extra or turn out to be a member of the BWL, go to blackwomenlawyersla.org.
