Law Student Representative: Kiana Banks
To Kiana Banks, being a 2025-26 NCBA law student representative means serving as a communicator, resource and liaison between the NCBA and her school. She looks forward to sharing all that the NCBA has to offer with her classmates, from opportunities and networking to insights on what a legal career in North Carolina can look like, so everyone is on a path to success.
Kiana knew she wanted to be a lawyer as early as fourth grade, when she would go to school dressed in pantsuits and was nicknamed “little lawyer” by her teacher. Her passion for helping people, solving problems and supporting rehabilitation has always been present, but a pivotal moment in Kiana’s legal journey came when her father was racially profiled by a police officer during a traffic stop. The experience solidified her determination to pursue law so others would not face discrimination based on the color of their skin or harmful stereotypes.
Kiana earned her bachelor’s degree in political science pre-law with minors in business and American Sign Language from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. While in college, she interned with two criminal defense attorneys and the clerk’s office, gaining firsthand knowledge of courtroom processes and the operation of a private law firm.
Criminal law has been a love of mine even before I started interning. There is never a dull moment. I worked with a board-certified specialist for DWIs, and there was nothing better than hearing a client say, ‘I’ve been sober for a year’ or ‘Getting this charge made me get my life together and now I am rebuilding a relationship with my kids.’ These are people who are down on their luck and need someone who is going to listen to their story and provide them with real, honest options. Building that trust with the client and working out a game plan is the best feeling.
After graduating, she worked two years as a legal assistant for a criminal defense attorney before heading to law school at High Point University as part of its inaugural class. She was drawn to High Point’s program for its opportunities and for the faculty’s commitment to shaping students into exceptional attorneys, not simply lawyers who can restate the law. Kiana is a member of Women in Law, treasurer of the Black Law Students Association and vice president of the First-Generation Law Students Association. Her legal education so far has taught her growth over perfection, quick thinking and the importance of creativity.
Be consistent and do not give up. You are going to get a lot of no’s, but you will eventually get a yes, and that yes is going to open the door to so many other opportunities. I also suggest taking a year or two off before starting law school to get experience in the field. Personally, it has helped me a lot. Find your passion in the law and don’t let anyone change that. And remember, self-care is key. Law school and the legal field can be overwhelming, so do the things that make you happy, keep you grounded and take breaks.
Looking ahead, Kiana hopes to clerk for a federal judge after graduation, inspired by her internship with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. She then plans to serve in either a district attorney’s or public defender’s office before one day opening her own criminal defense law firm (and perhaps becoming a district or superior court judge).
When Kiana isn’t working toward her dreams, she enjoys fishing, reading, traveling and shopping.
Students attending ABA-accredited law schools or provisionally accredited law schools are eligible for complimentary membership in the NCBA Law Student Division. Interested in becoming a member of the Division? Learn more about this free membership.