At the heart of DeChino Duke’s (J.D. ’23) law school journey lies a remarkable initiative—the inception of the Transactional Law Society at Georgia State University College of Law. For him, the seeds of this organization sprouted from an altruistic place.
“Having the support from faculty and administration to start the Transactional Law Society was one of the most rewarding experiences I had at Georgia State University College of Law,” he shared.
The organization wasn't just an extracurricular activity—it became a cornerstone of his time at the college. Duke spearheaded initiatives that not only elevated the society but also positioned students to excel in transactional law. His efforts bore fruit beyond his time as he worked with faculty and staff to recruit a co-director for the new Transactional Law Clinic, and the newly-formed Community Development and Entrepreneurship Law Clinic (CDELC).
“Consistently prepared to meet his obligations to his classmates and his coursework, a top performer in the classroom, and remarkably involved in the life of the College of Law community, DeChino ‘checks all the boxes’ on a list of outward qualities that make an outstanding young lawyer,” said Georgia State Law Professor John Marshall.
Duke was in Marshall’s property law course during his first year of law school. Impressed by Duke’s performance, Marshall became a steadfast supporter of Duke's future endeavors.
“The College of Law community will not be the same without DeChino’s presence and yet it is clear that his presence has helped change those who remain here at 85 Park Place teaching, studying, or serving,” Marshall said.
DeChino Duke (J.D. '23) chats with his friends between classes.
Duke credits his conviction in choosing the College of Law to its longstanding reputation as a first-class institution for the study of health law.
“My passion for advocacy, along with my interest in business and healthcare led me to Georgia State Law, where I combined all three to pursue a career as a healthcare transactional attorney,” he said.
Duke’s experiences have been marked by innovation and community engagement. Reflecting on his time in law school, he emphasizes the importance of leveraging opportunities beyond academic pursuits. One of his favorite moments came during an enriching summer internship at Southeast Georgia Health System (SGHS) in Brunswick, Georgia. This experience, unpaid yet invaluable, reinforced Duke’s conviction that the work he was doing was aligned with his true calling.
“During my time in Brunswick, I worked on many great assignments and made great connections with local attorneys. For each assignment, I was able to draw on my past work experience or knowledge learned from my time at Georgia State Law,” he said.
Duke also appreciated the work-life balance. It was more than just professional growth—it was a time for family bonding, where every evening felt like a vacation by the beach, he said, noting that SGHS offered his family room and board to be part of his internship experience.
“Georgia State Law did a phenomenal job laying the foundation for the legal principles I needed to excel during my summer opportunities. I had several great moments where I nailed an assignment and got positive feedback from my supervising attorneys.”
Throughout his time at Georgia State, Duke found more than just academic learning—he discovered a supportive environment that fostered his growth and self-assurance which fortified his confidence to compete in the University of Maryland Health Law Regulatory and Compliance Competition in his first year.
However, Duke's journey included its fair share of challenges. Balancing a part-time program while striving to graduate in three years meant he would struggle with overloaded schedules. Learning to prioritize and find balance became pivotal to his success.
"Law school is about personal growth and improvement," Duke shared. "It was important for me to note that others may be able to start part-time and take on extra classes and still graduate in three years and at the top of the class, but everyone is different and has different priorities."
Duke's post-graduation aspirations are rooted in a dedication to both professional excellence and community service. He is set to join Polsinelli law firm on April 1, 2024, as an associate in their Atlanta office. While focusing on his new job, he remains committed to contributing to the College of Law community and plans to deepen his involvement in community organizations such as the Emerging 100 of Atlanta and several bar associations.
“I hope to use my expertise to help businesses and healthcare systems grow so they can better contribute to the economy,” he said. “I aim to continue my journey of leadership and join several leadership organizations to reinvest back into the community.”
-Written by Maya Carpenter