MARCH 2021 LAW SCHOOL STUDENT FEATURE: MEET JERRON!
Jerron Hawkins, 2L, Howard Law School
Our featured law school student for the month of March is Jerron Hawkins, a 2L at Howard Law School! During his interview, Jerron discusses why he decided to attend a HBCU for law school, why he will be pursuing a career in grassroots organizing and non-profits, and the challenges of attending law school virtually. Jerron is a highly-motivated student who is the CEO of his own non-profit, Reach Foundation, Inc. He was also a White House mentee of President Barack Obama through My Brother’s Keeper. Jerron remains actively engaged in the uplifting of disadvantaged communities and we are so excited to have him as our March feature!
Why did you decide to pursue your JD?
To answer this question plainly, as a black man, I feel that I'm at war everyday. For a black person in America, whether or not people gather in the streets with bull horns and walking shoes, our mere existence remains a daily protest. This protest is one I feel to be greatly outmatched for, and acquiring a JD gives me more weapons to fight for my community, family, and myself.
Why Howard Law? Tell us a little bit about why you chose to attend a HBCU for your law degree.
I honestly wasn't looking to go to Howard initially, even for my undergraduate degree, but someone explained the importance of me as a black man going to a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). HBCUs do an amazing job at educating their students about the black diaspora, trail blazers who contributed to the growth of the world, and most importantly, themselves. Howard Law is very familial in that aspect, and I knew that was something I wanted in law school, as law school is already hard enough. Similar to the professors in Howard University's undergraduate program, many of the professors take the time to incorporate black history in the majority of their lessons, whether its property law or torts, we as students learn who came before us and their significance in the legal community.
Are there any programs, clubs, or internships you would recommend to undergraduate students who aspire to attend law school?
Unfortunately, after I graduated from Howard University with my B.A. in Political Science, I decided to travel and as a result, I wasn't able to attend any pre-law preparatory programs. However, If you are a politically involved legal student, I recommend interning with the White House and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Through these internships, I was exposed to both the legislative and executive branch, and how they function. This experience can be very useful to a law student who seeks to engage in some degree of policy reform or elected office.
How do you plan on using your JD? Do you think a JD is vital for the work you will pursue?
Currently, I work in a grassroots organizing/ non-profit space, which is exactly what I would like to be doing post law school. I enjoy speaking with community members and grassroots organizers who are on the front lines battling various social issues. I see the need for more legal expertise and representation amongst non-profit institutions and organized social movements. Protesting and rallying is only one leg of the race, the other involves a degree of law makers and lawyers. I know my lane, and Iaw school is just the next gear up for me in our race to freedom.
How have you enjoyed or disliked attending law school virtually? What advice would you give to 1L students who may be starting law school virtually this Fall?
Personally, I'm not really a fan of the virtual law school experience because law school is a school of thought, and this virtual curriculum does not allow for dialogue to freely flow. In regards to the 1L, I want them to know that they have my undying respect because my 1L year was in-person and that was hard enough. I can only imagine the added challenges, both mental and structural, that the mandatory online curriculum presents. Stay strong, stay motivated, and remember you're going through this with each other.
How has your experience been in law school during a transition in presidential power? Have you had any intriguing conversations in your law school courses i.e. Con Law? Do you feel like these conversations have reinforced your decision to attend law school and institute social/institutional change?
Law School has become far more interesting with the former presidents decline in power and popularity and the ascent of President Biden. Under the former president we, law students, were able to have conversations with a high degree of both substance and applicability. From the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice ACB to the double impeachment, the conversations were very interesting. One of my favorite courses to this day was property law, taught by Professor Carlton Waterhouse, who made sure that we as African American law students knew the relevant and relatable history with the course.
Looking back on your journey to law school, what's one piece of advice you'd give yourself?
Ignore the noise, and listen to your gut.