A Look Back on Law School
Three 3L NCBA Law Student Representatives Recap Moments to Remember
This article is part of a series of interviews with the 2020-21 NCBA Law Student Representatives. We interviewed nine of the 16 representatives in the February issue of North Carolina Lawyer magazine. Here, we talk with three students graduating from law school this year, Robyn Sanders, Luke Ryan and Wyatt Bland, who reflect on their experiences during the last three years. As their time in law school draws to a close, Robyn, Luke and Wyatt share words of advice to aspiring law students and memories they would like to look back on.
Robyn Sanders, 3L at Campbell Law School
What initially interested you about attending law school and becoming a lawyer?
I became interested in attending law school and becoming a lawyer after earning my master’s degree in public administration/policy and working as a policy analyst for a year. I was interested in exploring the intersection between policy and the law because I knew that being an advocate and helping vulnerable communities required a deep understanding of both.
Describe one or two experiences, such as an assignment, a pro bono opportunity, a networking event or something else that has been meaningful to you.
I spearheaded an event called “An Evening With Yusef Salaam” at Campbell Law last year where we hosted Dr. Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five, formerly known as The Central Park Five. It was an incredibly moving and rewarding event that allowed students and leaders in the legal community to come together and confront the devastating effects of racial injustice in our legal system and the ways in which we might ameliorate these issues as we strive to live up to our highest ideals as a nation built on the promise of equality for all.
What words of wisdom have encouraged, inspired or motivated you during this journey?
Always remember your “why.” I have experienced highs and lows on my journey to becoming an attorney, and remembering my “why” has been a constant guidepost for my triumphs and successes.
Who is one mentor who has played a role in your law school career?
Attorney David Elliott. David has been a consistent mentor and friend throughout my law school career. He has given me advice and counseled me through adversity. He is a seasoned and talented attorney and public servant who makes the profession better every day.
During your law school experience, what difficulty or obstacle have you overcome?
It was very difficult to separate from friendships and relationships due to the demands of law school. I truly missed being able to spend significant time with friends or enjoying favorite pastimes with them, but after some time I was able to adjust to this new normal by establishing healthy boundaries, and my large circle of friends remains supportive of me and my endeavors.
As you prepare to take the bar exam this summer, what are your thoughts as you approach this final step?
I am extremely excited to join this profession and contribute my talents and passion to the betterment of humanity and our legal system. My excitement will help me stay focused and buoy me to the finish line.
Now, fast forward 10 years and imagine that you are looking back to your law school days. What advice would you give to an incoming law student who is about to begin their first year of law school?
Always believe in yourself and never give up!
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Luke Ryan, 3L at North Carolina Central University School of Law
What initially interested you about attending law school and becoming a lawyer?
I was interested in attending law school because I wanted to expand my career opportunities and obtain skills that would allow me to help a wider range of people.
Describe one or two experiences, such as an assignment, a pro bono opportunity, a networking event or something else that has been meaningful to you.
One pro bono opportunity that I participated in my 1L year was called the “Wills for Heroes” event. Our responsibilities were to sit down with a public servant (police officers, firefighters, first responders, etc.) and assist them in drafting their will. I cherished this opportunity because I was able to provide an important service to some of the most important people in our community.
What words of wisdom have encouraged, inspired or motivated you during this journey?
The greatest words I have received during my journey are that “hard work beats intelligence any day.”
Who is one mentor who has played a role in your law school career?
One of my best mentors while in law school was the head security guard at NCCU Law, Billy Martin. During my 1L year, I had many late nights at the law school, and Billy was always there working the late shift. We would always have these great conversations whenever I was taking a break or before I left for the night. I’ll never forget those conversations because one night I was telling him how worried I was about passing the first semester, so I wasn’t sure if I would be back for the spring semester. He went on to tell me that he looked forward to my graduation because no one who spends this much time studying at the law school can fail.
During your law school experience, what difficulty or obstacle have you overcome?
The biggest obstacle I had to overcome, while still overcoming it, was my typing skills. I never had a formal typing class to train me how to type with efficiency, so since my 1L year I have been working on increasing my typing speed so that I do not lose time on exams.
As you prepare to take the bar exam this summer, what are your thoughts as you approach this final step?
My thoughts are that I have to lock in as much as I have my entire law school career. Bar prep is essentially the same as taking a class in law school except you are learning all of the subjects instead of just one. It will be new, but I will be ready because I have to be.
Now, fast forward 10 years and imagine that you are looking back to your law school days. What advice would you give to an incoming law student who is about to begin their first year of law school?
There are a number of things I would tell an incoming law student, but I will keep it to two. The first thing I would advise a new law student to do is not overwhelm yourself with extracurricular activities. Stick to one or two organizations you are passionate about and put the time you have into those. The majority of your focus should be on classes and applying for jobs. Second, I would advise a new law student to find a place where they will have no distractions. A place like this is essential because there is plenty of work to get done and you need a place to separate between work and relaxation.
Wyatt Bland, 3L at Campbell Law School
What initially interested you about attending law school and becoming a lawyer?
The ability to become a member of a profession that has the ability to help people each and every day.
Describe one or two experiences, such as an assignment, a pro bono opportunity, a networking event or something else that has been meaningful to you.
My experiences as an intern at two District Attorney’s offices have been by far the most meaningful experiences for me during my time in law school.
Experience one: a pivotal experience at the New Hanover and Pender County District Attorney’s Office was observing a second-degree murder trial where the victim was a three-year-old child that was killed in a traffic accident. The defendant was high on heroin and fentanyl at the time of the accident. The defendant was found guilty of second-degree murder. Listening to the prosecutors argue the case and hearing from the victim’s family really impacted me on how prosecutors have the unique ability to speak for victims and their families and seek justice.
Experience two: “I want to show the judge these pictures! I’ve got some serious evidence here that the judge needs to see right now!” That’s what I heard as soon as the bailiff opened the courtroom doors to the Wake County Justice Center courtroom that I was assigned to one day this past summer as an intern with the Wake County District Attorney’s Office. Everyone in the courtroom stared and gave the look that said “this lady is crazy.” I approached her and explained that she couldn’t just show the judge her photos and calmly figured out that she was a victim of an assault.
She was an elderly lady and began explaining the facts. She was at the bowling alley with her bowling team when she was punched in the face by a fellow elderly woman who just so happened to be on another bowling team. While the facts of the case made others not take the lady seriously, I knew that this meant everything to her. I assured her that if we were able to try the case that day we would and that I would get the photos into evidence so the judge could see her injuries from being punched by the defendant. I ended up trying the case and got the photos into evidence and the defendant was found guilty. The victim made sure to thank me afterwards and even ran up to me and gave me a hug (despite COVID-19 precautions). She was crying and told me how much that meant to her that someone finally took her seriously enough to take her case to trial.
What words of wisdom have encouraged, inspired or motivated you during this journey?
District Attorney Ben David, New Hanover & Pender County:
- “You can make money or make a difference.”
- “JOY: Jesus first, others second, then yourself.”
George Washington: “Listen, learn and help, then lead.”
Martin Luther King Jr.: “We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.”
Who is one mentor who has played a role in your law school career?
Assistant United States Attorney Gabe Diaz – he was my assigned mentor in the Campbell Law Mentorship Program and during my time as an intern with the United States Attorney’s Office, I have been able to learn a lot from him about serving as a prosecutor, both on the state and federal level.
During your law school experience, what difficulty or obstacle have you overcome?
Feeling like I don’t belong. As a first-generation college student and now law student, I struggled feeling like I belonged in law school or in a courtroom at times. Thankfully, due to some great internship experiences, I learned that I do belong, and I can do the work in the real world in and out of the courtroom.
As you prepare to take the bar exam this summer, what are your thoughts as you approach this final step?
Ready to get it over with so I can finally get to work.
Now, fast forward 10 years and imagine that you are looking back to your law school days. What advice would you give to an incoming law student who is about to begin their first year of law school?
- Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing; just be yourself. Do what works for you.
- The professors aren’t reinventing the wheel. Ask upperclassmen (or Google) for notes (outlines) and study suggestions.
- You learn more from internships than you ever will from class. Be sure to find something you enjoy doing.
- Grades and class rank are not markers for your self-worth. How you treat people is what really matters.