Families undergoing sacrifices. Breaking generational barriers. These common themes are something that many, if not all, first-generation lawyers find familiar. We are honored that so many trailblazing students choose Cumberland School of Law, and seize every opportunity presented to them, on their way to pursuing legal careers. Here are just a few of their stories.
- President, Student Bar Association
- Associate Justice, Moot Court Board
- Member, Career Development Advisory Board
John Koo has always been interested in law, but his career path wasn’t sealed until a transformative conversation with his late grandfather who lived through the occupation of imperial Japan and the devastating effects of the Korean War.
Koo said, “Although he was poor, he learned to read and write with whatever he could find and was admitted into one of the top universities in the country with a scholarship. He finished top of his class and inched closer to his dream of attending law school, but he never got to go. He gave up that dream to support his family, ultimately becoming a loved teacher, professor and government official. He told me that he always wondered what he could have been if he had gone to law school, and what he could have done if he had that opportunity. That is when I decided to finish what he started and to continue his legacy. I couldn’t think of a bigger honor.”
As a first-generation law student, Koo said, “The Cumberland community is a family, something I think is rare in law schools across the country. We celebrate others’ success as our own and help each other grow. We cherish the idea that everyone has their strengths and their weaknesses, and every individual can bring value to the group. This school-wide mentality allows me to present the best versions of myself to potential employers and to learn in a comfortable and nurturing environment.”
- Treasurer, Cumberland Public Interest and Community Service
- Admission Ambassador
- Student Board Member, Hispanic National Bar Association Region VII
As a former high school Spanish teacher and an alumni board member for Teach for America Alabama, access to high-quality education is something very important and personal to firstgeneration law student Elizabeth Mojica. A continuous learner, Mojica takes pride in asking questions and actively engaging in conversations she could have never dreamed having.
At Cumberland School of Law, Mojica is grateful for the faculty and staff who set the stage for the expectations and challenges that law school brings. She said, "They guide me in everything from how to study and organize materials to how to manage stress and disappointment when things don't turn out exactly how I expect them to. As knowledgeable as they are, they never make me feel 'less than' for not grasping topics. I have relied on all the incredible people and the many resources Cumberland offers to pursue every legal interest I have in some capacity.”
Mojica hopes to inspire other first-generation law students to pursue a legal career by following the example that the faculty and staff at Cumberland School of Law have set for her.
- Executive Articles Editor, Cumberland Law Review
- President, Cumberland Chapter of the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
- Jere F. White Jr. Fellow
Mckenzy Smith was first inspired to pursue a legal career during her middle school involvement in the YMCA Youth and Government program. It was during those formative years that she discovered her passion for the law, advocacy and public service. She said, “The experience of crafting arguments, understanding the intricacies of legislation, and standing up for what I believe ignited a commitment to pursue a career in law.”
For Smith, being a first-generation law student signifies a monumental achievement and the breaking of generational barriers. It involves navigating the challenges and complexities of the legal field and highlights the importance of family sacrifices, allowing her to play the role of “trailblazer” in her family.
In reflecting on her Cumberland School of Law experience, she said, “Cumberland places a high value on first-generation law students, offering a supportive environment that acknowledges and celebrates our unique challenges and achievements and provides a solid foundation for starting a legal career. The presence of many fellow first-generation law students fosters a sense of community and shared purpose, making Cumberland an ideal place to develop the skills and connections essential for a successful legal career.”
- President, Black Law Students Association
- Member, Inaugural Study Abroad program in Edinburgh, Scotland
- Member, National Trial Team, 2024-25
When E.J. Turner was in the 10th grade, he had the chance to shadow an assistant city attorney at the Birmingham Municipal Court, unveiling a path that would allow him to become an advocate for the people and the community he loves. At Cumberland School of Law, he is seeking every opportunity to prepare himself to become the best advocate he can be.
Turner, who aspires to seek a career in economic development, government and property law, said, “Being a first-generation law student means a lot to me. I recognize that getting to this point cannot only be attributed to my own merit but to the hard work and sacrifices of those who came before me—folks like my grandmother who worked domestic jobs to support her family, or my mother and father who sacrificed significant portions of their life to make sure I obtained the type of education I needed to make it to law school.”
For future first-generation lawyers, Turner advises, “If you can see it, you can believe it. I plan to succeed professionally and academically so those who come behind me will know that if someone like me can do it, they can do it too!”
This feature originally appeared in the 2024 Cumberland Lawyer magazine. Read the entire issue.
