Nicole Banton ‘21
Nicole is the President of Virginia Law Women.
Hi Nicole! Thanks for coming on the first Hot Bench of the year, where we get to know people from the UVA Law community. How was your summer?
It was a fulfilling summer. I volunteered for the Virginia Poverty Law Center’s Eviction Helpline while social distancing in May. Then I worked at Hogan Lovells for eight weeks and returned to K&L Gates this month.
Are you excited to begin your 3L year?
I am so excited! This year is not what anyone pictured, but we’re all making the best of it. I’ve been very happy to meet 1Ls at the summer and orientation events for Virginia Law Women over Zoom.
Yessss, as VLW President, please give us the scoop. What are some of the organization’s plans for the year?
We’ll be doing our flagship events, including Women in Public Service, Women in Big Law, and our Student-Faculty Dinner Series, virtually this year. We’re planning to hold regular community building events (organized by VLW’s VP, Donna Faye Imadi ’22) and professional development events. The events will be on Monday or Wednesday, and we’ll alternate each week so people with different schedules can participate. In a virtual world, relationship building is key. VLW board members are very passionate about building community and making sure everyone stays connected.
The Board hopes to expand inclusion and allyship within VLW. We’re gathering resources for VLW’s website, and we’ll be doing a donation drive to support a non-profit that supports women of color. We’re also expanding VLW’s public service programming, working on a spring public service event. Another great event in the works is a virtual office hour with the Founder and CEO of PracticePro, Niki Khoshzamir. PracticePro partners with top law firms to offer coaching, recruiting, training for diverse 1Ls.
I am grateful for the women on VLW’s Executive Board, their creativity, and their enthusiasm! They are all hardworking, conscientious, and talented.
Sounds like you have a great year planned for VLW! Let’s back up a little bit and learn more about you. Where are you from?
I’m from Silver Spring, Maryland. I grew up in DC area, and I’ve lived all over the East Coast—DC, New York, Boston.
In addition to traveling around the States, you’ve also been around the world. What are your favorite places?
I would say Jamaica, Italy, and Spain. Jamaica, because my mom is from there, and I have a lot of great memories with family there. Italy because I studied abroad there twice. I lived with a host family and loved them. Spain, same scenario, stayed with a host family and really bonded with them. They called me their American daughter.
So, when did you start thinking about law school?
I thought that I wanted to do a PhD actually. But I considered the academic job market and the opportunity cost. And also, I thought I would have more of an impact as an attorney. In my life, I’ve seen a lot of harms fall through gaps in the law and how people suffer for it. I hoped that, as an attorney, I could do something about that and help more people by understanding the law.
What kind of impact do you hope to have as a lawyer?
I’ve been saying since 1L that I want to work at a firm, but I want to do as much pro bono as possible. I’m not sure how many people I can help, but I hope to help as many people as I can. I want to work for survivors of domestic violence, which I was able to do a bit this summer. I especially want to help other people of color because the industry is not built for us and we need to forge a path. It’s not just about my career. There are so many people in the legal industry pipeline. It’s important to think about our collective future.
Let’s do a lightning round!
Favorite food?
That’s a hard one. I’m a huge foodie. Probably cheese, cheese on anything. Also, mediterranean food broadly and Jamaican food.
Favorite place in Charlottesville?
Again, a hard one! I think the BLSA office.
Anti-Stress Hobby?
My pets. I have a dog and a cat who might be a miniature panther, I don’t know. I adopted him from the SPCA, and my family is not convinced he’s not at least part panther.
Favorite word?
Victory! That’s what my name means. (Ancient Greek: Νίκη or Nike)
What’s one movie that left an impression on you?
I watched Becoming this summer for a virtual movie night with my mom, and I just ...Michelle Obama is a badass.
Do you have a favorite animal?
Let’s go with dogs. Don’t tell my cat.
If you could tell yourself one thing coming into law school, what would it be?
The advice that I got was to focus on my strengths and what I enjoy instead of on what everyone else was doing and to do the best that I can do. I would tell myself to try to do that. To develop strengths and invest my time in projects that I’m passionate about.
Did you know in 1L that you wanted to get involved with VLW?
Not at all. When I was starting law school, I didn't even know that I was going to join VLW. Kendell Burchard ’19, Manal Cheema ’20, and Chelsea Scism ’19, and many more superwomen at UVA became my mentors. They were so invested in my success and development, and they gave me the support and the drive to get involved. They extended a hand and helped me up the ladder. I wasn’t even going to run for Vice President, but women in the organization reached out and really advocated for me. Because of them, I ended up running, and I was surprised to win.
What I’ve learned firsthand is that women in the organization are genuinely here for each other. We have members who are passionate, creative, and talented. I’ve already met many 1Ls who are excited to get involved. VLW’s first general body meeting will be in mid-September, and new members can run for 1L representative positions.
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nb3bt@virginia.edu