Perspectives of Black Men in Law School, Parts 1&2

Meet the Speaker: Jakim Aaron '24 J.D.

Jakim Aaron ’24 J.D. is a third-year law student at Notre Dame Law School. Originally from Hampton Roads, VA, Jakim completed his undergraduate studies at the College of William and Mary, earning dual degrees—a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy. Before pursuing his legal education at Notre Dame, he gained valuable professional experience in management consulting with Accenture, specializing in strategic project management.

Throughout his tenure at Notre Dame Law School, Jakim has immersed himself in a diverse range of experiences. He interned with prominent corporations such as DTE Energy, Summa Health, and Adobe, demonstrating his commitment to broadening his professional horizons. Additionally, he explored his passion for advocacy and community building while serving as the President of the Notre Dame Black Law Students Association during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Currently, Jakim continues to have a meaningful impact on the Notre Dame Law School community as the Co-Chair of the Student Bar Association Community & Inclusion Committee and the Chair of the Affinity Leadership Council. His commitment to service extends beyond Notre Dame’s campus, as he serves as the Director of Corporate Relations for the Midwest Region of the National Black Law Students Association, highlighting his dedication to fostering connections and opportunities for aspiring legal professionals.

Upon graduation, Jakim intends to practice Privacy and Cybersecurity law, exploring the evolving landscape of data protection, cybersecurity, and related regulatory matters. Beyond his professional pursuits, Jakim is an avid traveler, an enthusiastic reader, and cherishes moments spent with family and friends.

Listen to Part 1

Presented by Notre Dame Law School

Monday, December 11, 2023 8:00 am

Black men make up less than 5% of lawyers in the United States. Though drastically underrepresented in the legal profession, Black men are overrepresented in the number of incarcerated people in the US, where one out of every three Black boys born today can expect to go to prison in his lifetime. It’s rare that we get a chance to hear the perspectives of Black men in the legal profession and understand their experiences.

In this interview, Max sits down with Jakim Aaron ’24 J.D., Joshua Mannery ’24 J.D., and Jamal Wilson ’24 J.D.; three Black men who are law students at Notre Dame to discuss their perspectives and experiences in life and law. This episode is part one of a two-part interview.

The DEI Podcast with Max Gaston is sponsored by Notre Dame Law School and co-sponsored on ThinkND by the Black Alumni of Notre Dame, the Alumni Rainbow Community of Notre Dame (ARC ND), YoungND, Native American Alumni, Notre Dame Women Connect, Hispanic Alumni of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Senior Alumni, and Asian Pacific Alumni of Notre Dame. Register to receive emails about upcoming episodes of The DEI Podcast.

Listen to Part 2

Presented by Notre Dame Law School

Monday, January 8, 2024 8:00 am

Black men make up less than 5% of lawyers in the United States. Though drastically underrepresented in the legal profession, Black men are overrepresented in the number of incarcerated people in the US, where one out of every three Black boys born today can expect to go to prison in his lifetime. It’s rare that we get a chance to hear the perspectives of Black men in the legal profession and understand their experiences.

In part two of this two-part interview, Max sits down with Jakim Aaron ’24 J.D., Joshua Mannery ’24 J.D., and Jamal Wilson ’24 J.D.; three Black men who are law students at Notre Dame to discuss their perspectives and experiences in life and law.

The DEI Podcast with Max Gaston is sponsored by Notre Dame Law School and co-sponsored on ThinkND by the Black Alumni of Notre Dame, the Alumni Rainbow Community of Notre Dame (ARC ND), YoungND, Native American Alumni, Notre Dame Women Connect, Hispanic Alumni of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Senior Alumni, and Asian Pacific Alumni of Notre Dame. Register to receive emails about upcoming episodes of The DEI Podcast.

Meet the Speaker: Joshua Mannery '24 J.D.

Joshua Mannery ’24 J.D. is from Jackson, Mississippi. He attended the University of Mississippi for undergrad, where he received his B.A. in Political Science magna cum laude.

Joshua is a third year law student at Notre Dame Law. He will receive his J.D. in spring 2024. He serves as the Student Bar Association President and the Lead Student Ambassador for the Admissions office. He will be working at Mayer Brown in Chicago, and aspires to do legal work in K-12 and/or higher education!

Meet the Speaker: Jamal Wilson '24, J.D.

Jamal Wilson ’24 J.D., a third-year law student at Notre Dame and native of Compton, CA, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Montana. A former Fullback and Defensive Tackle on the Grizzly football team for three seasons, Jamal now dedicates his spare time to coaching student startups at Notre Dame’s IDEA Center. He plays vital roles in leadership for Notre Dame’s Black Law Students Association and Journal on Emerging Technologies. With a background including a Judicial Externship, Notre Dame’s Responsible Innovation Fellowship, and leadership positions in Notre Dame’s Sports, Communication, and Entertainment Law Forum, Jamal’s impact extends beyond academia. Notably, he organized student volunteers aiding over 300 South Bend residents in expunging their criminal records. Prior to NDLS, Jamal spearheaded innovative housing programs for college students facing homelessness at a Los Angeles non-profit. A former participant in a prestigious Senate Fellowship in the California Legislature, he spent a year advising lawmakers on various policy issues. Post-law school, Jamal aims to contribute his expertise to a prominent Los Angeles law firm, assisting ambitious individuals, investors, and entrepreneurs in realizing their wealth and business goals.