Mikayla Mobley (J.D. ’22) knew at 12-years-old she was supposed to be a lawyer, though she didn’t know yet what kind of lawyer she wanted to be. She began pursuing that calling when she attended the University of Georgia by majoring in political science with a minor in public policy. When it came time to choose a law school, the opportunities that Georgia State Law could provide being in the heart of downtown Atlanta made the decision an easy one.
Now, Mobley is in her second year at Georgia State Law where she is pursing the health law certificate. Her goal is to eventually work where the law and policy intersects allowing her to influence policy while also acting in a legal capacity. Here, she discusses her interests and how she’s staying involved as a law student even with the challenges of COVID-19.
You always knew you wanted to be a lawyer, but how was your interest in health law sparked?
My dad is in healthcare, so I talked with him about what it was like working with his lawyers and that was really interesting to me, but the biggest deciding factor that helped me land on health law was because of an internship I did on Capitol Hill. During undergrad, I was an intern for a congressman who was a pharmacist, so he focused a lot on health care. I was able to go to a senate hearing on prescription drug cost and getting to see that firsthand solidified that health law was the direction I wanted to go.
What experiential learning opportunities have you done?
I did an externship with Judge Markle on the Court of Appeals and another one with the Office of the Attorney General. They were great experiences because I was able to apply what I learned in the classroom to the real world. Working for a judge really teaches you to hone your legal research and writing skills. At the Attorney General’s Office, I attended administrative hearings and worked closely with my division’s attorneys on COVID-19 and employment cases.
How are you involved at GSU Law?
This year I joined STLA Mock Trial. That has allowed me to interact with students that I might not have known before. Also, coming into law school I had no interest in litigating, but being in Mock Trial and also taking advocacy this semester, I am loving it. I feel like it's one of those few opportunities to actually learn hard lawyering skills such as how to question a witness and how to do an opening and a closing.
I'm also the Vice President of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers, which is all about building a community with the women in the law school. It’s been really great to work on revitalizing the club as much as we can during COVID-19, and we’ve got a lot of great ideas moving forward.
Are you happy with your decision to attend GSU law?
Yes, first because being in the city has been really beneficial, not only just because of the job opportunities, but because in the little time that you do get out of law school there are things to do. Second, the community GSU Law offers is really important to me. Not only am I building professional relationships, but I also have created genuine connections. I get to be friends with so many different groups of people. And lastly the professors are amazing, and they really care if you take the time to talk with them.
Interview by Mara Thompson