Meet Your 2020-21 Law Student Reps
By Macy Abernethy
Campbell University
Robyn Sanders
Why are you involved in the NCBA? I am involved in the NCBA because I believe it is especially critical that as prospective attorneys, student leaders promote a richer and more effective association that increases the association’s strengths, capabilities, and adaptability. This priority can more effectively address member and societal needs with the varied perspectives, experiences, knowledge, and understanding inherent in diverse coalitions. I want to assume other leadership roles within the organization in the future and believe this opportunity provides me with the experience needed.
What advice would you give to a 1L? Always remember your “why” when challenges arise and let that serve as your guidepost for achieving your potential, growth, and success.
What is your area of practice interest? My area of practice interests are civil rights litigation, constitutional litigation, and appellate litigation.
Why did you go to law school? I pursued law school because I believe the law and advocacy are the most powerful weapons that can be wielded against the inequitable and unjust social conditions harming marginalized groups. I want to serve people in the role of an advocate to promote greater and more equal access to justice.
Robert “Wyatt” Bland
Why are you involved in the NCBA? I am involved in the NCBA to help bridge the gap between the NCBA and law students.
What advice would you give to a 1L? Be yourself!
What is your area of practice interest? Military and Criminal.
Why did you go to law school? Better opportunity to serve and help people in my community.
Haley Haynes
Why are you involved in the NCBA? As an NCBA law student rep, I have built wonderful relationships with new colleagues including fellow law students and attorneys! I have also enjoyed giving back to the community through this position.
What advice would you give to a 1L? Study hard but still make time for yourself!
What is your area of practice interest? Criminal.
Duke University
Kristen Renberg
Why are you involved in the NCBA? I am involved with NCBA to assist students with the transition from legal education into the legal profession.
What advice would you give to a 1L? Get involved in pro bono opportunities!
What is your area of practice interest? Litigation & Regulatory.
Why did you go to law school? Laws are how we structure our society and learning those structures and how to make them more fair has always appealed to me.
Elon University
Mary Williams
Why are you involved in the NCBA? I’m involved in NCBA to bring more events and connections to my colleagues at school.
What advice would you give to a 1L? Don’t worry what others are doing and be kind to everyone.
What is your area of practice interest? Criminal law.
Why did you go to law school? I went to law school in hopes that one day I can pursue a career in criminal law and politics.
Shena-Kaye Butler
Why are you involved in the NCBA? I am involved with the NCBA because I wanted to ensure that all students had access to information and resources to aid them in achieving success in law school and beyond.
What advice would you give to a 1L? Do not be afraid to reach out and ask for help early. There are so many people who are willing to invest their time in you to ensure you accomplish great things.
What is your area of practice interest? Government/policy.
Why did you go to law school? I went to law school to be a driver of change in the reconstruction of policies that adversely affected people for generations.
Ataesheeana Storr
Why are you involved in the NCBA? I am involved in the NCBA because I am a strong supporter of student involvement. I think it important to connect students to professionals in the legal field to build mentor relationships and learn to navigate the profession.
What advice would you give to a 1L? My advice to 1Ls is to create your own pace and do not measure your success or productivity against your peers. Everyone is trying to find their way, so it is okay to do what works best for you. Also, be committed to schedule but do not marry your schedule. The legal profession is all about working through changes and adjustments.
What is your area of practice interest? Torts and civil litigation.
Why did you go to law school? There is a small percentage of African American attorneys in the profession, and I always want to represent my community in the greatest light. I attended law school to be an advocate for my community that promotes fairness, inclusion, and equal rights. I plan to help advocate against the social injustices in the African American and other minority communities.
North Carolina Central University
Luke Ryan
What advice would you give to a 1L? Seek help from staff, professors and colleagues.
What is your area of practice interest? Business, tax, sports, real estate.
Why did you go to law school? I went to law school to expand my career opportunities so that I could benefit my community in a more effective way.
Annie DeHart is a 2L at North Carolina Central University.
Jeffrey Traversino is a 3L at North Carolina Central University.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Adhitya Mahesh
Why are you involved in the NCBA? I am involved with the NCBA because I am passionate about building a professional network for myself and others.
What advice would you give to a 1L? My advice to a 1L is to remember that law school is a marathon, not a sprint!
What is your area of practice interest? The practice areas I want to go into are corporate and transactional law.
Why did you go to law school? I went to law school to learn how to use legal tools to help businesses grow.
Trey Ellis
Why are you involved in the NCBA? I am involved in the NCBA because I love serving others, and I want to be the bridge between the NCBA and my own law school community.
What advice would you give to a 1L? Trust yourself and follow your passion!
What is your area of practice interest? Corporate law.
Why did you go to law school? I went to law school to gain knowledge that will allow me to provide effective assistance and representation to those who need it.
Isaac Ridgeway
Why are you involved in the NCBA? This will be my second year working with the NCBA as a student rep. The reason that I wanted to remain involved is because the NCBA is a group of attorneys who are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the profession, creating networking and professional development events, and providing interesting pro bono opportunities for lawyers and law students.
What advice would you give to a 1L? You earned your spot in law school and you deserve to be here just like everyone else in your classes. Your grades are important, but overall, they won’t matter as much as the relationships that you create and the way that you treat others during your time in law school.
What is your area of practice interest? Education law, election law, first amendment issues, and government policy.
Why did you go to law school? I have always had a passion for helping others work through problems and navigating complex systems. In undergrad, I studied political science and statistics at North Carolina State University and worked in state government after graduating. After working, I decided that I wanted to take my career and ability to help others to the next level by going back to school to get my law degree. Since being at UNC School of Law, I have enjoyed meeting new friends, gaining new perspectives, and having the privilege of being taught by some of the best professors in the industry. There are so many ways for lawyers to get involved in the community, and I enjoy being able to work with the NCBA to help my fellow students find and experience these opportunities.
Wake Forest University
Ashley Williams
Why are you involved in the NCBA? The NCBA is a great organization that is dedicated to the legal community and assisting those from all levels of the field. Whether you’re a law student, like me, or an attorney that has been practicing for 30 years, the NCBA has a program or learning opportunity for you. I wanted to be involved with NCBA because I wanted my peers to understand the benefits that come with getting involved in the NCBA, whether it is networking with new people or getting a chance to explore different areas of practice that I may be interested in.
What advice would you give to a 1L? To all the 1Ls out there, take the advice you are giving about networking seriously. I understand that it may be awkward to send a cold email to practicing attorneys and that with the pandemic, networking events may be more difficult, but do them. Trust me, they will pay off. You will hear from every panel about the unique way that attorneys got their jobs — each one will say how their path was not the standard path, but that’s because they had networking connections. Secondly, I know every professor says to make time for yourself, and you are thinking, “with what time?” Find time. Losing your hair, losing your mind, and losing yourself and your loved ones is not worth it. If you don’t manage time now, what will get you to do it when you get a job? This is still something as a 2L I am struggling with, and the online world is not helping, but do your best.
What is your area of practice interest? This past summer, I got the chance to work with an incredible firm, Safran Law Offices, which focuses on the construction industry. Their ability to represent the entire industry, from owners, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, suppliers, sureties, trade associations, and legislative groups has given me the opportunity to develop such unique skills and learn so much about this essential field.
Why did you go to law school? Since the start of my undergrad and graduate programs at The University of Alabama, I knew that I was going to law school. I wanted the chance to use my education to help others and make their lives as easy as possible. If you’re not a lawyer, entering into a business contract, creating a corporation, or buying a house may seem complex and overwhelming. There are so many things that could go wrong, and so many implications for the language and actions of the parties. Yet, not everyone knows these things, and having a person there who can assist you and advocate for your interests is what I want to be able to do. Not only did I want to pursue a career in the law, whatever that area of practice may be, but I wanted to gain the skills and develop the way of thinking that a student gets from going through the rigor of law school to best serve my clients.
Katherine Brock is a 2L at Wake Forest University.
Ethan Trice
Why are you involved in the NCBA? I am involved in the NCBA because it is useful for all students and lawyers and I wanted to help out.
What advice would you give to a 1L? Don’t expect undergrad grades. Do your best!
What is your area of practice interest? Real estate and estate planning.