The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) at Elon Law held its annual reception and dinner honoring third-year law students on April 20. Angela Gray of Gray Newell, LLP in Raleigh, North Carolina delivered the event's keynote address.
The reception takes place at the end of every academic year, providing first- and second-year law students an opportunity to convey appreciation for graduating students who have contributed to the growth of the organization and to recognize their achievements while in law school.
Markeshia Wilkins, L’13, was this year’s Social Chair of BLSA and was in charge of organizing the event.
“The purpose of the 3L Reception is to honor BLSA’s 3Ls and let them know that we appreciate their contributions to the Elon Law BLSA chapter,” said Wilkins. “Because of the 3Ls, BLSA has been able to grow each year and its membership has reached its highest peak this year. We invited other BLSA members and the school community to the reception so that they can see the success and the stories of our BLSA 3Ls.”
Keynote speaker Angela Gray graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received her J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in the United States Supreme Court, the North Carolina Supreme Court, and the State and Federal District Courts of North Carolina and is also a certified mediator.
Gray has been featured in “Lawyers Weekly” and numerous other publications for her work in the area of employment law. She previously worked as an associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and has lectured throughout the state of North Carolina on the topics of employment law, sexual harassment and discrimination. She currently handles all types of civil litigation and select medical malpractice cases.
Gray spoke to the students about the importance of having a strong support system and taking every case and client seriously as they enter into the practice of law.
“Being a lawyer can be one of the most exhilarating things,” Gray said. “But it can also be one of the most devastating things as well, because you will be handling many aspects of people’s lives and that is a tremendous responsibility.”
Gray also talked about how important an attorney’s reputation is to their career.
“If you do not have a good reputation and if you do not commit yourself to what you’re doing, you will know it and everybody else will as well,” she said. “So you always want to put your best foot forward.”
Following the keynote address, the third-year students were given personalized nameplates with their soon-to-be titles, Attorney at Law.
“We present the 3Ls with a name plate that says ‘Attorney at Law’ so that they know we fully support them and will continue to be a support system while they are studying for the Bar Exam and when they began working in the legal field,” Wilkins said.
The Black Law Students Association also recognized the newly elected Executive Board for the 2012-2013 academic year:
President: Justin Ramey
Vice-President: Ami Ba
Treasurer: Jaye Cole
Secretary: Jetonne’ Ellis
Historian: Mia Waters
Academic Chair: LeeAnne Lawrence
Prof. Development Chair: Ami Ba
Community Service Chair: Porsha Washington
By Ashley Smith L’12