Passionate Advocate

Gracie Elliott, L’25, may be a self-proclaimed “horse girl” with a love for crafting, but she’s also a passionate leader and advocate for her fellow students at Richmond Law. Hailing from Kentucky, Elliott had initially set her sights on several other law schools, but her visit to Richmond Law changed everything.

“When I stepped on campus, it felt like Hogwarts,” she laughs, reflecting on her first impressions of the school’s charm. “Within 15 minutes of sitting through a presentation, I knew this was where I needed to be.”

Since that pivotal moment, Elliott’s experience at Richmond Law has been nothing short of transformative, culminating in her latest role as president of Richmond Law’s Student Bar Association for the 2024–25 academic year.

Her journey in the SBA began in her 1L year, and she worked through various positions before taking on the role of president.

“To me, this is about advocacy for my peers,” she said. “Being involved in SBA has opened doors to connect with students I would not have otherwise met and to make a difference in their law school experience.”

As SBA president, her primary goals are transparency, communication, and fostering a sense of community among her fellow students. She believes in creating open lines of dialogue between students and the administration, ensuring that student concerns are heard and addressed.

“I want to be approachable, for students to feel comfortable coming to me with their concerns, even if I can’t always fix them,” she said.

One aspect of her journey to which she credits her success is the financial support she has received through scholarships. “It has eased the financial burden of attending a private institution and helped me feel more confident in my decision to come to Richmond,” she said. “Any financial support reduces the stress of paying off loans later and makes it easier to focus on what really matters, pursuing a career that I’m passionate about.”

As she reflects on her journey so far, Elliott is filled with gratitude — not only for the support she’s received, but also for the community she’s been able to help shape at Richmond.

“I love this school. I’m grateful for the opportunity to advocate for my peers, and I’m thankful to the donors who make all of this possible.”

(Reprinted from the 2024 Dean’s Report.)