[hero align="right" class="gunmetal" opacity="transparent" attachment_id="210037"]“Above all else, develop relationships and understand that the people you meet in your law school career want to help and support you. It is impossible to go through it alone.”
Darlene Childers (J.D. '17)
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Having a bachelor of science and master’s degree in social science education, Darlene Childers (J.D. ’17) taught for a few years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. After her divorce, she decided to change careers and enrolled at Georgia State Law as a part-time day student.
“My experience at Georgia State Law has been one of the hardest things I have ever done and one of the most rewarding. In part, because of the support provided by the faculty, staff, fellow students, alumni and the Atlanta legal community,” Childers said. “I walked into a school environment, but I was leaving a family. I am grateful to all the professors who allowed my kids to attend class when I had no other option but to bring them.”
2017 Commencement
And Hooding Ceremony
- 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 12: Georgia State University Sports Arena, 125 Decatur St., Atlanta GA 30303
Childers’ children, Isabella, 9, and Rhyse, 7, have been her biggest cheerleaders. And they’ve experienced firsthand what it’s like to get through law school.
“It's difficult to be gone several nights a week, but they have been so supportive and understanding,” Childers said. “Knowing that they have been watching and learning from our shared experience has kept me motivated.”
Despite her busy work and family schedule, Childers worked as a graduate research assistant, was named a 2016-17 Bleckley Inn of Court Pupil and served in leadership roles with the Student Bar Association (SBA).
As SBA president, Childers organized three community service projects this year: one for incoming students in August, one at Thanksgiving and a campus-wide community service project during Law Week. She also chaired Law Week for three years, bringing diverse and distinguished keynote speakers and securing 100 percent participation of student organizations.
The support from the network of students in SBA was invaluable to Childers, as was the support she received from Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shawn Ellen LaGrua (J.D. '87). Childers interned with Judge LaGrua and now works full time as her criminal case manager.
“Judge LaGrua has been there for me since day one, and I am incredibly lucky to have worked with her,” Childers said. “After observing the collective efforts of prosecutors, defense attorneys, and community supervision officers in her courtroom, I know a career in criminal prosecution is my calling. Seeing what these incredible people are doing to achieve and promote justice is so inspiring, and I want to be part of that.”
After taking the bar exam, Childers will transition to an apprenticeship with the DeKalb County Solicitor-General's Office.
Reflecting on her time at Georgia State Law, Childers thinks her proudest moment will be standing on the stage at graduation, which also is her 40th birthday.
“I have been given so many wonderful opportunities at Georgia State Law, and Isa and Rhyse have been a big part of it,” she said. “When I cross the stage at graduation, it won't just be as a law school graduate or the president of the student body, but as a mom who can look my kids in the eye and tell them they can do anything they put their minds and hearts to – I am proof that no matter your circumstances, law school is attainable and there is always time to give back to your community.”
People often ask Childers how she does it all. "I don't dare say it all was done well, but I did it. There will be days you won't be the best parent, student, employee or partner; but in the end, it all evens out. Anyone who takes on law school as a nontraditional student is a rock star.”