Student Spotlight: Amari Wright, L’23

As we celebrate Black History Month, we’re sharing how some of our current students are making Black history right now. Like Amari Wright, L’23, a Richmond native and President of the Black Law Student Association with a passion for real estate law.

Why did you decide to attend law school?

I’ve always wanted to be an attorney. I never had a plan B, so I had no choice!

Why Richmond Law, in particular?

I’m a Richmond native. I’ve always planned to stay where my family is located. Richmond Law also had a great network of alumni and I liked that.

What are your career goals? How does your experience as a Black woman impact those goals?

I want to become a commercial real estate developer. Being a Black woman has affected me at every moment of my life – negatively and positively. In college, I had an academic advisor tell me I wasn’t smart enough to go to law school, which was a reoccurring statement she made to Black students. I’ve always gained opportunities through programs designated for minorities. There have always been people who doubted my abilities because of being a woman alone, and being Black didn’t help. However, there is also power in standing out.

What law school course/clinic/program has had the greatest impact on you law school experience?

Doing externships! I’ve done two externship – one at Dominion Energy and another at a real estate investment firm. Both externships granted me practical learning experiences and introduced me to helpful mentors. I’ve learned more day-to-day practices than I ever could in a classroom.

How have you benefitted from being a member of BLSA?

BLSA was my safe space in my 1L year. This is when COVID forced classes to be online and in smaller classroom sections. I didn’t have anyone in my section that looked like me – which can be isolating. BLSA members reached out to me and became a place where I could be myself. I became more involved my 2L year and grew a deeper connection to the Black community on campus, which led me to run for president as a 3L.

What impact do you hope to make on the legal system after you graduate?

I hope to leave a legacy of someone who was integral, willing to help, and broke barriers.

In one word, how would you describe your experience at Richmond Law?

Transformative.