Meet Chimara Good: 2026 NCBA IP Section Diversity Scholarship Recipient
By A Conversation with an Engineer-Turned-Law Student Charting Her Own Path in IP Law
The Intellectual Property Section of the North Carolina Bar Association is pleased to introduce one of our 2026 Diversity Scholarship recipients, Chimara Good. Chimara is originally from Atlanta, Georgia. I had the pleasure of sitting down with her to learn more about her remarkable journey from the lab bench to law school.
Background and Motivation
Chimara Good
What law school do you currently attend, where did you attend undergrad and what was your undergraduate major?
I am currently a second-year law student at Campbell University School of Law. I have a dual degree in physics with a minor in philosophy from Berry College and a biomedical engineering degree with a minor in health, medicine and society from Georgia Tech.
What inspired or prompted you to become an attorney?
It has always been a dream since I was a little girl. People around me would always say I would make a great attorney because of my personality — I’m opinionated and strong-willed. As I got older, the advocacy aspect of law really resonated with me, especially during the BLM era. I just felt born to do this. My dad encouraged me to pursue engineering, and I did. But after having my daughter and spending five years in a career that wasn’t my long-term passion, I knew it was time to take the leap.
What initially sparked your interest in intellectual property law, and how did that evolve before and during law school?
In my previous role as a scientist, I had regular interactions speaking to the legal team about patents. That experience really opened my eyes to what IP is and what IP attorneys actually do. Once I decided to go to law school, almost everyone who knew my engineering background said, “You have to go into patent or IP law.” I also have mentors in IP law that have given me incredible insights into the IP role. And honestly, knowing that I would be giving ownership to inventors — especially inventors of color — was something that really resonated with me. The dominoes fell into place.
Law School Experience at Campbell
Why Campbell School of Law?
My partner serves in the military, so coming to Raleigh allowed my daughter and I to be closer to her father, which is really important to me as a parent. It was the right move for my family and my career at the same time.
What has your experience been like at Campbell Law so far, particularly within the IP curriculum or community?
Once I tapped into the community, it’s been helpful. One of my mentors, Rachel, a rising 3L, has supported and prepared me to take the Patent Bar this summer. Her mentor, Rachel, often attends CLEs and shares her notes, so she is a great resource to have. My advisor is also the IP Law professor. His insight has been helpful in opening doors to what I can do as an IP attorney.
Are there specific professors, clinics, or courses that have been especially influential in your development?
I’m only in my first year, so the curriculum that’s directly applicable to IP has been limited to mostly contracts and property. But property law was genuinely fascinating. We studied the HeLa cell case, which brought up this incredible question: when does ownership in what you create really exist? Can your genetic makeup belong to someone else? That moral tension — balancing ownership rights with ethics — is exactly the kind of complexity I want to work in.
How does Campbell support (or challenge) students from diverse backgrounds pursuing IP law?
In the IP space specifically, students have to build connections more independently — I came into law school having already attended a PWI and worked in corporate America, so I already know how to adapt and navigate. My bigger challenge is knowing when my real-world experience applies in the classroom and when it doesn’t.
Intellectual Property Focus
What areas of IP law interest you most (e.g., copyright, patent, trademark), and why?
I am still navigating, but currently patent law has the most pull for me. I often think about Black inventors who had to use aliases or get someone else to co-sign their work just to be recognized. I feel a real calling to make sure people of color have the ownership rights they deserve. Copyright law is intriguing because it extends beyond inventions into artistry and creative expression, which brings in a more diverse community of people. Both excite me for different reasons.
Career Goals and Vision
What are your career aspirations after graduating from Campbell Law?
I’d love to work in IP law for a company. I had a great conversation with Smith Anderson IP Partner, Darrell Fruth at a recent IP event and I have a few mentors in that space. I am looking forward to doing the work, learning and growing in the space. Honestly, I’m at a point where the dominoes are falling and I just need to fall in line with them. I keep having these full circle moments — bumping into professors I admire, connecting with fellow law students like Jalen, the other scholarship recipient. It all just feels like confirmation that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Advice and Reflection
What do you wish you would have known before starting law school?
Law school is very theoretical, so understand that the real experience comes from being in the field. Also — and this is very important — learn the material, but know that law school exams can be subjective. A low grade doesn’t mean you are not smart. Get to know your professors early in the semester so you can understand how they think. Issue spotting is a skill, and the key to that skill is understanding how the author of the exam thinks. The subjectivity was a real surprise for me.
Rapid-Fire Q&A
- Favorite class so far? Property
- Coffee or tea during finals? Tea
- One word to describe law school? Entertaining
- Go-to stress reliever? Gym
The IP Section congratulates Chimara on this well-deserved scholarship and looks forward to watching her make her mark in intellectual property law. We have no doubt the dominoes are falling in exactly the right direction.