Ayoka Smith, a 3L law student in the weekend program, shares her inspiring journey from real estate paralegal to aspiring attorney. With a passion for immigration, criminal, and real estate law, Ayoka balances her studies, work, and family while pursuing her dream of making a meaningful impact in the legal field.
Why did you decide to attend law school?
Prior to applying to law school, I practiced as a real estate paralegal for eight years. It’s a job I really enjoyed and still do. It’s fast-paced and challenging, allowing me to work with diverse groups of people and delve into a variety of complex legal issues. While I worked, I simultaneously pursued my associate’s degree in criminal justice and then my bachelor’s degree in legal studies, all with an eye toward climbing the corporate ladder. Although being an attorney was a dormant dream, I always felt it was beyond my grasp. An attorney with whom I often did real estate closings asked me why I had never considered law school. He felt I would be a natural. I gave him a handful of excuses that I later determined to be superficial. I was taking baby steps to the doorstep of law school without ever declaring it to be my goal. Carrying a 4.0 GPA in my final semester of undergrad, I finally felt justified in taking the next logical step in my academic and professional career. During the pandemic, at 35 with three children, I finally decided to apply—mainly because I stopped doubting myself but also because I was finally eligible. For various reasons, it took me over fifteen years to finish my undergraduate degree. But, as cliché as it may sound, a dream delayed is not a dream denied. Had I done this any sooner in life, I don’t think I would have been as prepared to succeed.
Tell us about your 1LW summer internship with the Center for Social Justice, Detention Deportation & Defense Initiative? What types of assignments were you given? Do you recommend this internship to other students? How did you manage to do a summer internship with your full-time paralegal position?
As my 1L year came to a close, I was laid off from a firm where I had spent several years working. However, where one door closes, another one opens. I was fortunate enough to have already secured a part-time internship with the Center for Social Justice, Detention Deportation & Defense Initiative, which I was able to transition to full-time as I searched for work. I was immediately immersed in a world of research and analysis for clients who had been incarcerated for months and were on track for deportation. The work was very real, and I felt the pressure of having someone’s freedom and future depend on how well our team could research and present our findings. We were the last resort before removal for many individuals we worked with. Many incarcerated individuals were indigent and alone in this country, unfamiliar with the language or the law. My work during my 1L summer really opened my eyes to the importance of immigration work, and I gained a new appreciation for the attorneys and paralegals I worked with and learned so much from them during that time.
As a 2LW student, how have you managed to balance working full-time and being a law student? What advice do you have for other weekend law students?
My 2L year was exceptionally difficult. I took five classes as a weekend student and competed in a mock trial competition. Doing this while working full-time and raising a family came with a distinct set of challenges. One thing that really helped me last year was creating a schedule and sticking to it. I took the Sunday after classes to plan each day out for the following two weeks, using each class syllabus as a guide. I did this religiously, accounting for events I had planned or commitments I needed to balance. As a 2L, I also served as the Treasurer on the BLSA E-Board, so I had to factor in my commitments on the executive board as well. Because my days were planned so far in advance, if anything unexpected came up, I was able to shift accordingly and reallocate readings or assignments to a day better suited for them. For anyone working full-time and also attending law school, it is imperative to maintain a study schedule, take time off from work as finals approach, and have at least one study partner who will hold you accountable and push you to strive for excellence. No one is an island.
What areas of law are you interested in?
Currently, I am interested in real estate law, immigration law, and criminal law. I am also a big sports fan and am excited to be taking Sports Law this fall. Sports Law is a course I have looked forward to, and my love for sports has converged with the law in a very natural way.
What services of the Office of Career Services benefited you the most?
After I was laid off at the end of my 1L year, the Office of Career Services became a key pillar of support. They assisted me with resume reviews, mock interviews, and sent me job postings tailored to my experience and target roles. I regularly received follow-up emails and was provided with opportunities to touch base and strategize on navigating the job market.
What tips or advice do you have for weekend students on time management and academic success?
Live and die by your planner. Create calendar deadlines and set reminders for those deadlines. If you are working, be transparent with your job about the support you need during finals. Don’t be afraid to adjust time management techniques as the semester progresses. Be fluid and be gracious with yourself. Surround yourself with people who value your time as much as you do.
What challenges have you faced in law school and how did you overcome them?
The challenges of academic rigor in law school are to be expected. What I struggled with the most was failing to meet certain personal benchmarks I set for myself. Not making law review or journal was difficult. It led to a bit of imposter syndrome as I applied for and pursued other opportunities. The most difficult thing for me was learning how to dust myself off when something doesn’t go my way and understanding that not everything is for me. I found my support system to be invaluable in these situations. It helps to have solid people in your corner to remind you of your own greatness and help you straighten your crown.
Tell us about your experience as a mock trial board member?
Mock trial was an intense experience. The time it takes to digest the written material, strategize, and practice with the team while trying to balance classes, work, and family obligations was challenging. However, the thrill of competition and working as a team to outthink, outwork, and out plan the opposition was very rewarding. To know that every team was given the same material, and it came down to who manipulated and performed it best, was motivation. I got to work with some brilliant students and coaches, and that collaboration was hands down the best part.
What are your post-graduation goals?
I am undecided on what I want to do after graduation. Immediately, I plan to take the bar in New York and New Jersey, and then perhaps work in civil practice as an associate in my current firm. Down the line, I eventually want to become a judge. I have a feeling my journey to the bench will be an unconventional one, keeping in line with how I approach life and aim for goals that look unattainable at first glance.
