I can relate to today’s guest writer. Not everyone knows what they want to do with their law degree, I sure didn’t. Today’s guest writer talks about switching it up early in her legal career.
Dequeshia Prude
I always knew I wanted to go to law school but didn’t quite know what I wanted to do with my JD. During law school, the actual practice of law didn’t appeal to me for various reasons. This led me to look at non-traditional job opportunities for attorneys. My 2L year, I applied for and received an externship at the Walmart Home Office working in Employment Compliance. I fell in love with it and went on to work for Walmart after graduation.
After a few months of working for Walmart, something inside of me was pushing me to seek an opportunity to practice. I believe the driving force was my desire to want to help others and make a difference, and the desire to put my attorney license that I worked so hard for to use.
I applied for dozens of jobs over a few months. Most turned into rejection letters, but I also received a few interviews that didn’t work out. This was a major blow to my confidence and I thought maybe God was telling me that I was where He wanted me to be. After speaking with another attorney that I met through Young, Black, and Lawyered, I sent my resume and cover letter to about twenty firms. One of the firms I sent my information to was my current firm. Two of the partners from the firm offered to meet me for coffee, and the rest was history. I knew instantly that this firm is where God wanted me to be.
My current practice primarily focuses on Bankruptcy and Business/Corporations. I also take the opportunity to volunteer legal assistance in the community whenever possible.
Dequeshia Prude is an attorney with The Law Group of Northwest Arkansas, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She was born and raised in Blytheville, Arkansas. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law in May of 2017.
