A STEP-BY-STEP CHANGEMAKER BY DEBORAH TAYLOR
Kimberly Alli ’23, the 2023 student commencement speaker at AUWCL, was incredulous. She had been chosen for this honor, and she would be sharing the stage with keynote speaker Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. For Kimberly, Justice Jackson is a role model who helped her believe that “anything truly is possible.” The second of four daughters of a
commencement address, Justice Jackson took the opportunity to engage in a fireside chat with Dean Roger A. Fairfax Jr. over a faculty breakfast.
Graciously sharing her valuable perspectives, legal insights, and even amusing banter with Dean Fairfax, Justice Jackson talked about her historic journey to the Supreme Court.
During her time with the faculty and staff, Justice Jackson demonstrated her passion for the law and genuine interest in the work at the American University Washington College of Law. She talked about how much has changed since she was in law school and embraced the opportunity to learn more about the innovative programs and initiatives that shape AUWCL’s identity.
Her insights offered a glimpse into some of the challenges and opportunities that come with being on the Supreme Court and the profound impact of legal decisions on society. Justice Jackson’s visit served as a reminder of the critical role that legal professionals play in upholding the principles of justice and the rule of law.
Nigerian father and Filipino mother, Kimberly grew up in Los Angeles in a community rich with different languages and cultures. She studied finance at San Diego State University and was heavily involved with student activities that improved the university community. Those experiences led her to work with My Name My Story,
“ By taking that first step, you are already making a difference.”
an education organization whose workshops teach empathy, teamwork, and innovation to middle and high school students. Inspired by these young people, Kimberly decided that, to become a changemaker and empathetic leader, she needed a law degree.
“I chose law school in Washington,
DC, because there’s a magic here where you’re surrounded by people who are constantly working toward change, and specifically AUWCL because of the value it places on public interest and serving the community,” she said.
Commencement speaker Kimberly Alli ’23 addressed her fellow graduates and shared the stage with Justice Jackson.
Kimberly praised her “incredible
training” and the uplifting, supportive AUWCL community of professors and fellow students. She served as vice president of the Black Law Student Association Board and as a Marshall- Brennan Teaching Fellow. She also participated in the Moot Court Honor Society and the Administrative Law Review. Post-graduation, she will be practicing technology law at the Washington, DC, firm Wiley Rein LLP. Kimberly urged AUWCL students to “be
brave and do it.” “Don’t mind any internal or external
voices that may tell you that you don’t belong or prevent you from taking that step forward,” she said. “We need people with empathy and diversity of perspectives among those who create, defend, and enforce the law.” “By taking that first step, you are already making a difference.”
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