Tell us a little bit about yourself.

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My name is Chenelle Love.  I was born and raised in Renton, WA, and attended college and law school in Jackson, MS.  I am currently an attorney at the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights in Cleveland, OH. 

 

Why did you become an attorney?

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I honestly didn’t know I wanted to be an attorney until I had nearly completed law school.  As college graduation creeped up, I was unsure of what I wanted to do or what my path would look like when I finished college.  I knew I wanted to do something interesting and impactful, but had no clue what that “something” should be. I entered law school with the plan that a JD would be a solid complement to my undergrad business degree, and thought I would figure out the details at some point during those three years.  

 

It was during my time in law school that decided I wanted to work in public service.  I wanted to use my degree to help provide access to some of the basic things that become so easy for many to take for granted because of a false belief that these things seemingly basic things (housing, employment, education, etc.) are absolutely, unequivocally, and equitably accessible to everyone.  

 

Also, I’m terrible with numbers, so all the reading that law requires was fortunately a good fit.

 

What is the most impactful thing you’ve been able to do with your law degree?

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I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have an opportunity to work in public service since finishing law school.  I began my career investigating and resolving complaints of discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations.  I now do similar work for the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. I am thankful to be in a position to provide a service for those who may not otherwise have access to resources to resolve their grievances, to right a wrong, or at the very least, be heard.  

 

Has your identity helped make you a better lawyer? If so, in what way?

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As a woman of color, I often operate in a heightened state of consciousness.  I feel as though I am constantly aware of different situations (particularly the less than great experiences) that lead to internal questions about what caused a certain situation to play out in a certain manner.  Sometimes, it is easy for us to discount someone’s story, or someone’s experience when it is something that we are unable to relate to, or something that simply seems a bit outlandish because it is outside of our realm of experience.  I believe that as a woman of color, I am able to bring a fairly high level of empathy to my work because of my own experiences and internal questions. I believe my identity provides me with a better understanding that one’s perception is often one’s reality, so as not to discount how someone experienced a situation and what they are sharing from that experience.  My identity has helped me maintain mindfulness that a person’s experience of a situation is often unique to that individual, and that I need to maintain an open mind when hearing that experience in order to effectively do my job and serve that individual. That mindfulness has been integral in my career because much of my job entails listening to the stories and experiences of others in order to determine appropriate resolutions to the issues.  

 

Thinking about the future generation of diverse attorneys, what piece of advice do you have?

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Be unapologetically you.  

 

Why should we be concerned with the diversity of your profession?

In most jobs, attorneys provide a service that requires an ability to communicate well.  Effective communication in service to our clients requires an ability to build trust with those to whom we provide services, an ability to listen well (including an ability to be an empathetic listener), and an ability to understand each person’s needs.  Much of this skill is not something we learn in law school, rather, it is developed through life experiences and is often informed by who we are and where we come from. While a diverse pool of attorneys is not a guarantee that everyone will have equitable access to legal services and equitable and competent service, failure to ensure a diverse pool of attorneys will most certainly result in inequitable outcomes in almost every area of the law.  As attorneys, we serve a wonderfully diverse group of people. The profession should reflect those we serve. 

 

In order to achieve a diverse pool of attorneys, it is important for people (especially our youth) who are interested in the profession to have examples of folks who look like them, who have common background, common experiences, similar concerns and struggles—so they know that becoming an attorney is not some unreasonable, untouchable goal because of a false perception of what a lawyer should look like, think like, or be.