■ Diversity

New Wayne Law Female Student 1
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New Wayne Law Female Student 14
New Wayne Law Female Student 1
New Wayne Law Male Student
New Wayne Law Female Student 2
New Wayne Law Female Student 3
New Wayne Law Female Student 5
New Wayne Law Female Student 6
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New Wayne Law Female Student 11
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New Wayne Law Female Student 13
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Lawyers Look Like Me

Student-driven campaign sends powerful message
In March, students from diverse backgrounds at Wayne State University Law School launched the “Lawyers Look Like Me” campaign, an initiative that sends a powerful message: Lawyers can look like anyone and come from anywhere.

The campaign aims to challenge stereotypes about what lawyers “look” like, celebrate historically underrepresented law students and highlight the importance of diversifying the legal profession. The students driving this campaign represent numerous multicultural, multiethnic and ally organizations.

“Lawyers and judges carry people’s livelihoods and liberties in their hands. It’s so important for the profession to welcome practitioners that come from all walks of life,” said Aleanna Siacon ’22, the creator of the campaign. “There’s much work to be done to address and remove the barriers that make law school inaccessible to many, but this campaign recognizes the power of representation.”

In addition to serving as president of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, Siacon is one of the founders of the Wayne Law Diversity Coalition, an umbrella organization that includes the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, the Black Law Students Association, the Latinx Law Students Association, the Middle Eastern Law Students Association, the Muslim Law Students Association, OutLaws and the Women’s Law Caucus.

Together, the students hope to inspire future law students who have a wide variety of backgrounds and identities.

“My hope is that people of different backgrounds see one of us wearing the shirts and feel empowered,” Siacon added. “I also want historically underrepresented law students to be heartened by the promise that there are fellow future lawyers and practitioners who see you, support you and celebrate you.”

Students in front of the Wayne Law statue
The student-led campaign was supported by Dean Richard A. Bierschbach and the Law School’s newly formed Anti-Racism Working Group, chaired by Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Culture Tiye Greene and Assistant Director of Scholarship Programs and Assessment Michelle Taylor.

“Stereotypes about what lawyers ‘look’ like are deeply rooted and cause real harm,” said Bierschbach. “I’m proud of our students for conceiving a campaign to challenge those stereotypes head-on. This campaign palpably and visibly conveys that the law and careers in it belong to everyone. We hope that by seeing and wearing these shirts, current and future law students from all backgrounds and identities inspire and further the change we need to see in our profession.”

Lawyers and judges carry people’s livelihoods and liberties in their hands. It’s so important for the profession to welcome practitioners that come from all walks of life.”
— Aleanna Siacon
Aleanna Siacon
Greene echoed the importance of inclusivity that’s celebrated in this campaign.

“For women and minorities, ‘looking the part’ too often goes beyond mere wardrobe choices. Natural hair, brown skin, hijabs, and other indicators of race or ethnicity can undermine how seriously we’re taken in professional and educational settings, which leads to having to work or learn in cold, unwelcoming environments,” she said. “Wayne Law stands in abundant support of this campaign and the students that brought it to life. We hope it encourages students from diverse backgrounds to pursue legal careers with no doubts as to whether they ‘look like a lawyer.’”

More Online
To learn more about this campaign or purchase a shirt, please visit lawyerslooklikeme.com.

Be the Change

Inspiring Detroit middle schoolers to pursue law
Middle school students from Detroit’s David Ellis Academy visited Wayne State University Law School on April 8 to tour classrooms and participate in a live debate with the mentorship of lawyers and law students. The debate was part of the hands-on Be the Change experience designed by the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) to expose Detroit youth to career opportunities in law.
Be the Change is a pivotal early pipeline program that empowers and inspires Detroit youth to see what their futures can be.”
— Jamerika Ramsey, BLSA president
Student in a court room
Students in a courtroom
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