1L Student Aspires to Build a Legacy of Advocacy for the Underrepresented Through Development and Empowerment
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For Justyn McKee, the decision to pursue law school was fueled by both intellectual curiosity and a personal commitment to increasing representation in the legal field. Now a 1L-2 at UIC Law, he is on the road to making an impact—both in the classroom and within student organizations dedicated to fostering community and diversity.
McKee began his UIC Law journey with the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), with whom he credits for making his transition into law school smoother. He cites their 1L boot camp at the beginning of the semester for being especially beneficial, as it provided him with networking opportunities, academic guidance, and insight from alumni. Through this support system, he has been able to thrive academically.
One of McKee’s proudest achievements thus far has been assisting in the execution of BLSA’s Black Legal Summit, where he serves on a committee dedicated to connecting students with Black attorneys so that they can network with legal professionals and gain valuable mentorship that will help them navigate both law school and their future careers.
As he continues his journey at UIC Law, McKee is eager to gain hands-on experience through a judicial clerkship. He believes that working closely with a judge will expose him to a variety of legal cases and deepen his understanding of the law. Long term, he aspires to work in real estate transactions and using that platform to advocate for the underrepresented through community development, economic empowerment, and addressing land use discrimination.
Committed to leaving a lasting impact at UIC Law, McKee hopes to help build a stronger support system and encourage more Black men to consider UIC Law as their legal home. With his drive, leadership, and commitment to representation, Justyn is well on his way to shaping the future of law at UIC and beyond.
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I wanted to go into law, but I wasn’t seeing people who looked like me in the profession…learning from and meeting other Black attorneys showed me that this path is possible, and I want to start a pipeline for those who come after me.
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