Page 49 - Briefcase Volume 38 Number 1

STEPHANIE

NWEKE

RISING 3L STEPHANIE NWEKE
REFLECTS ON SCHOLARSHIP AND
PRE-LAW PIPELINE PROGRAM IMPACT

Member of Class of 2021 eyes career in “I had to figure everything out on my own and go after
tech to help diversify legal profession opportunities I found. Nothing was handed to me. The Pipeline
Program really gave me the tools and the resources I needed to
As Stephanie Nweke enters her 3L year at the University dive into the deep end and swim towards the goal.”
of Houston Law Center, she has achieved numerous During her 1L year, Nweke was the recipient of the Gus A.
accomplishments befitting of a seasoned legal professional Schill, Jr. Scholarship for Ethics in Representation - a two-year
instead of a law student. full tuition scholarship.
One of her most recent achievements was serving as a speaker a “The scholarship is an incredible blessing that I’m still in awe
TED talk, entitled, “In a World Full of Passion, Follow Purpose.” of,” she said. “Not having to worry about tuition is an immense
“I spoke about the way our society generally views passion in understatement. Receiving the scholarship has really given
me more room to focus on school and take advantage of the
contrast with purpose, why purpose is more fulfilling than opportunities available to me as a law student. Most importantly,
pursuing passion, and how we can shift our mindsets on what it
means to live a truly fulfilling life,” Nweke said. “It’s something it’s motivated me to help incoming black students take certain
steps to be in the best position to receive a scholarship.”
that I’ve struggled with based on some of my experiences in law
school, and wanted to talk about something that felt authentic to Upon completion of her legal education, Nweke said she is
who I am in this stage of my life.” interested in utilizing technology to make the delivery of
“It’s definitely a nuanced topic and my talk only scratched the legal services more efficient, and wants to challenge the legal
profession to make strides towards diversity and inclusion.
surface. But it was an awesome experience. I had some of my Her ultimate goal is to be a catalyst for change and to provide
good friends in the audience to support me, which helped me be minority and underrepresented students with greater access
at ease. Plus, I wore a yellow pantsuit, which definitely helped to the legal profession. Nweke believes she can make the
with my confidence.” biggest impact practicing in Silicon Valley at a firm that serves
During her second year at the Law Center, Nweke was named entrepreneurs, technology companies and other start-ups.
a Forbes 30 Under 30 Scholar and attended the Forbes Under “This will give me the opportunity to learn more deeply
30 Summit. about the practice of law from a technology and innovation
“I was super excited to be selected because many of the people standpoint,” she said. “More importantly, we’re in a crucial time
who are on the Forbes 30 under 30 list inspire me,” Nweke said. in history where people are finally waking up to the realities of
“I looked up to many of the people who were at the summit systemic racism and prejudice in this country. Five percent of
like Serena Williams. It was exciting to have the opportunity attorneys in the U.S. are black, and an even smaller percentage
to interact with people l admire and more about how they are are black women with equity in a law firm. I plan to use my
changing the world.” voice at the firm to advocate for changes in legal recruiting,
As an avid reader and writer, Nweke considered law in her long- which have been shaped in some ways by systemic racism
term career plans, but it was the Law Center’s Pre-Law Pipeline and prejudice.”
Program and the 3+3 Program at the University of Houston “I will take on pro bono work to help real people directly
Honors College that helped her ambitions become a reality. impacted by social issues as well as people trying to start small
“The Pipeline Program was instrumental in bringing me to businesses. I hope to continue mentoring black and brown
where I am right now,” Nweke said. “I always knew that I wanted students, regardless of their career interests. I also plan to
to go to law school, but the program solidified my plans to get continue spending my time outside of work contributing to
there. I’m going to be the first lawyer in my family. I didn’t have projects and causes related to empowering the black and
anyone to pick up the phone to call and ask for advice.” African communities.”

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