Diversity Scholar Spotlight - Q&A with Devonna Thompson
Devonna Thompson grew up on the turbulent South Side of Chicago with a strong, supportive mother and as Devonna says, “a desire to change the way things happened in my neighborhood.” She earned a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois and she is currently a student at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago, Class of 2020. She is the first person in her family to attend law school.
She is Vice President of Programming at the Donald Pritzker Entrepreneurship Law Center, Symposium Director for the Women’s Leadership Coalition, and Vice President of Community Events at Street Law, where she teaches about the law and government at a local high school, among other positions.
PracticePro
Where do you to see yourself professionally in 5 or 10 years from now?
Devonna
I see myself becoming a partner at a law firm in about 8-9 years from now, while also successfully running my own non-profit organization that provides scholarships and mentorship to high school students on the South Side of Chicago who are interested in law school.
PracticePro
Where are you working this summer (Summer 2018) and what are you hoping to accomplish during your internship?
Devonna
Legal Assistance Foundation (LAF) and my biggest goal is to give back to my community in any way possible. I am hoping to have a positive impact on the lives of many people in Chicago who really need legal assistance and cannot afford it.
PracticePro
What do you do for fun? Tell us one fun or interesting non-law school related thing about yourself.
Devonna
For fun I like to swim, write poetry, travel, and dance.
PracticePro
Tell us about a struggle or challenge you faced growing up, how you overcame it, and how it shaped who you are today.
Devonna
Growing up in the projects on the South Side of Chicago was a struggle in itself, as I lacked many resources (educational, professional, etc.) that many of my colleagues had. I overcame it with a dream, hard work, dedication, and a strong mother. This has shaped me today because I have a very different perspective to bring to the table, I am resilient, and I am able to tell a story that many others cannot. I am able to empathize and communicate well with others from many different backgrounds and experiences.
PracticePro
Tell us a quote or saying by which you live your life or the best life advice you ever received.
Devonna
Shoot for the stars, so if you fall you'll land on the clouds.
PracticePro
What is the one accomplishment you are most proud of?
Devonna
The accomplishment that I am most proud of is being accepted into a T14 law school and surviving 1L at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law!
PracticePro
What is one thing you wish you had known before law school? Do you have any advice or book recommendations to incoming 1Ls to help them succeed or better handle the rigors of law school?
Devonna
I wish I knew how to take a law school exam and that I needed to form study groups early on in the year. I would suggest taking courses that provide practice exams and real feedback from law school professors.
PracticePro
Tell us about a volunteer organization you are involved with and why it’s important to you.
Devonna
Street Law. This organization is important to me because I am able to go back to my high school on the South Side of Chicago and teach the students about the law and how it can be beneficial to them. I am also able to sit on panels and tell students about my journey to law school and how it’s possible for anyone.