Yewande Ford '23
Good morning, Yewande! Thanks for talking with us this week. You just won the Swanson Award, which recognizes the UVA Law student demonstrating the same high standards of character as Gregory Hayes Swanson—the first Black student to integrate UVA and the Law School. First of all, congratulations. Second of all, Professors Doran and Kendrick, as well as your BLSA mentee and other BLSA members, all took the time to send in letters of support for you—how did it feel to find out you had been nominated and that you made such a significant impact at the Law School?
Thank you! First of all, I was shocked. I mean, I’ve just been living my life. I felt honored that Professors Doran and Kendrick, whom I both respect so much, took the time to do this for me after all the time I’ve taken from them for mentorship and questions (haha). The mentees really especially meant a lot to me. I put a lot of myself into BLSA, and it was hugely rewarding that members nominated me as well.
You were president of BLSA and helped guide the organization through the transition back to in-person learning and events (as well as the BLSA Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Year). How did being so active in BLSA help shape your law school experience?
I would say it’s been the highlight of my law school experience. Having a community you can laugh and be joyful with, but also where you can also be serious and get real help, is so important. We have a strong alumni network that is so generous with their time and their support, which really keeps our organization sustained. The school and other orgs want to collaborate with us as well—BLSA is like the axle at the center with all these spokes coming off. Being able to work with so many different professors, who always want to know how we’re doing, and so many different student groups was so much fun and so enlightening.
What do you think was the best event you helped organize?
That’s a tough one! We did so many. It’s a tie—first, I would say the BLSA retreat last year (shout out to Marley Peters ’23) because we had to tackle Covid and build a fun and safe event that all the class years could attend, including the 3Ls who hadn’t had a retreat in two years. It was so fun to leave the Law School bubble and see the shy or quiet people in class really come out of their shells and be themselves. I think events like the retreat are what really help us make BLSA into a community instead of just a club. The second is the alumni event we put on in the Rotunda, where so many alumni came back for a night of food and festivities. It’s one thing to say our professors and alumni are active, and another for all these people to come out and for them to bring their families to celebrate Black law students. Meeting so many BLSA alumni who have gone on to do different things and still stay active in the alumni network was great.
How did it feel to pass on the torch to Keegan Hudson ’24? I feel like spring semester of 3L is when all the org leaders get sentimental.
I know, I know! He was a 1L rep, so we had bonded a lot through the board. I was honored to pass on the torch to him—more than happy. I knew he had the leadership and the ability to bridge the Millennial-Gen Z gap. He’s also the first male BLSA president we’ve had in years, so he brings a different perspective. The blood (not literally), sweat, and tears that go into an organization as involved as BLSA is something only other BLSA presidents can really get. I’m excited to see who he is going to pass it on to, and he’s done a phenomenal job leading our chapter this year.
Reading through your resume, I get second hand exhaustion. Do you have any advice for how to balance school work and job applications with being more involved in Law School orgs?
Well, I’m a bulldozer type of person, so I want to say just do it (haha), but most people aren’t like that, so I also want to give real advice. I think it’s important to have something that grounds you outside of law school. For me, it’s my family and the gym—as long as I have those things, I can do everything else. I am also a huge fan of color-coding your calendar, so you can see your week at a glance. Sometimes, you just know you’re going to be busy, like all of 2L spring, but being able to see everything you’ve signed up for and readjusting as you go is so important to keeping a healthy balance.
Something my mom always quotes is, “Anything worth doing, is worth doing well.” If you don’t have the time or energy to really give that event or project what it deserves, take it off your plate. In a career like a lot of us are going into, you have to be able to push yourself sometimes, but other times, stepping back is the right decision.
You are EIC of the Law and Tech Journal—do you recommend joining a journal board for more than just getting out of cite checks?
That’s a tough question. I would ultimately say yes—it’s a great way to get involved in the bigger picture. For me, I was interested in understanding how a final piece gets to publication, from talking with authors and soliciting submissions to the actual publishing. For the tech sector especially, there are topics that might not be hot now, but you can see the discourse building down the road. There are a lot of positions on the board that lend themselves to different strengths, like Executive Editor if you are interested in polishing off an article. So, yes, worth more than just no cite checks!
You were an analyst at Goldman Sachs before law school—any advice for loyal but financially illiterate Law Weekly readers?
Take any business course you can! Intro to Law & Business, Corporations—any of those will help you build up your understanding. A general understanding of what is going on in the global economy and markets is important for you to have. You don’t need to get an MBA to be able to hold a conversation.
How do you take your coffee, and what is your astrological sign?
Gemini, but people tell me I act like a Taurus. No one will tell me if that’s meant to be a compliment or not. I take my coffee the same way I’ve taken it since middle school—Dunkin’ Donuts, medium hot, cream, hazelnut swirl, no extra sugar. I drink hot coffee all year round because iced coffee is gross, and Dunkin’ is better than Starbucks.
That last part was unsolicited.
I have hot takes!
Watching anything good?
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, The Real Housewives of Potomac, and Ginny & Georgia on Netflix.
Favorite study spot?
My apartment. It’s comfortable and has snacks.
One class everyone should take before they graduate?
FED TAX! Take it! It’s not that bad! It’s helpful for everyone in life! And I know law students don’t like numbers, but it really isn’t that bad, and we have fantastic and patient professors who teach it.
Best restaurant in Charlottesville?
I admit I’m kind of a food snob. I compare the restaurants here to New York, so I’m kind of jaded. I say, save your money and go to N.Y. or D.C. for some real good food (haha). Locally, I do like Pearl Island.
Favorite type of weather?
Summer into fall, when you can still wear sundresses, but you aren’t roasting.
One skill you’ve always wanted to learn?
Playing a string instrument, since I love listening to them so much.
Childhood nickname?
Hot Rice because I talked fast!
In all the interviews you’ve done, all those job apps and leadership positions, what was your favorite interview question? Or do you have a question you’ve always wanted to be asked?
This was a really good question I got, and it made me stop and really think. It was: What would someone who doesn’t like you say about you?
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Interviewed by Dana Lake ‘23
ysf4kv@law.virginia.edu