Spring 2025 Winner of the Aspiring Professionals Scholarship

Devianna Smith

Devianna is passionate about using her legal skills to advocate for marginalized communities. She plans to create her own legal practice that prioritizes education and corporate social responsibility to ensure everyone has access to justice. Congratulations Devianna, and we look forward to all the great things you will accomplish!

Read Devianna's Essay:

Throughout my life, I have faced various challenges that have shaped my ambitions and resiliency, ultimately guiding me toward a career in law. I grew up raised by a single mother and lived with my autistic, non-verbal brother. Yet, my upbringing ultimately made me the person I am today. I developed resiliency and a strong desire to create a life and future that will allow me to support my brother and family. This desire turned into fruition as I started at Boston College in 2019. While I had the opportunity to do a lot of fulfilling work, one of the most significant experiences and challenges occurred during my junior year when I found myself balancing three jobs while serving as a Resident Assistant (RA) on a multicultural living experience floor. This role was particularly demanding after our community experienced a distressing act of vandalism, which left many of the women of color I supported feeling vulnerable and unsafe.

As an RA, I was tasked with not only managing the logistical aspects of our floor but also providing emotional support to residents grappling with the fallout from this incident. The reality of attending a predominantly white institution became starkly clear in that moment, highlighting the systemic issues that often plague marginalized communities. I quickly realized that I had to be a source of strength and reassurance for my residents while simultaneously navigating my own feelings of discomfort and concern.

The emotional labor required to support my community during this time felt heavy. I learned how to listen deeply, facilitate difficult conversations, and create a safe space for expressing fear and anger. This experience underscored the importance of advocacy and solidarity in the face of injustice, reinforcing my commitment to pursue a career in law.

Amidst these challenges, I channeled my experiences into my academic work, particularly my thesis exploring how law schools can better support women of color. I wanted my research to reflect the realities I witnessed daily, providing a framework for systemic change within legal education. This project required extensive research and critical analysis, and it became a project that resonated deeply with my personal experiences in so many dimensions. By examining the barriers faced by women of color in legal environments, I aimed to contribute to a dialogue that would foster more inclusive and equitable institutions.

Balancing my roles as a student, worker, and community advocate taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, time management, and the power of community support. I learned to prioritize effectively, recognizing that my own well-being was essential for me to support others. The experience prepared me for the multifaceted challenges I would encounter in my future career. I left that year being selected as RA of the Year and would soon receive recognition for my work in diversity, equity, and inclusion and for my research.

As I transition into law school and beyond, I carry with me the lessons learned from my time as an RA and a community advocate. I am committed to using my skills and experiences to bring justice to those who may feel overlooked or marginalized. Ultimately, I envision building a legal practice that not only focuses on representation but also prioritizes education and empowerment. I plan to integrate pro bono work into my career, mentoring aspiring lawyers from diverse backgrounds while advocating for systemic change within the legal profession. It would be a dream to have an anti-discrimination or corporate social responsibility practice groups within my firm. While I am still learning about the nuances of law firms and “billable hours,” my firm would also allow pro bono work to be counted as billable, so that my employees would be empowered and supported to work on issues that directly impact our communities.

Overall, the challenges I faced during my college years have equipped me with the resilience, empathy, and determination necessary to thrive in the legal field. As I pursue my J.D. at Columbia Law School in the fall of 2025, I aim to leverage my background and experiences to create meaningful change for those who need it most. I am motivated to engage in continued education that encompasses all identities, ensuring that access to justice is a reality for everyone. Thank you for your consideration.