Campbell Law students participate in Ms. JD Leadership Academy

RALEIGH - Four students represented Campbell Law School at the Ms. JD Leadership Academy Intensive on Oct. 3 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ms. JD is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the success of women in law school and the legal profession. The Ms. JD Leadership Academy Intensive is a yearly, one-day conference for women currently enrolled in an accredited law school. Law students from across the nation attend to hear from attorneys, thought leaders and legal experts on developing the professional skills required to succeed in a career in law. This year, the conference was held at the Georgia State University College of Law with the theme "Connecting with Purpose."

"The Ms. JD Leadership Academy Intensive is the best conference I have ever attended," Chimara Good '28 said. "I was exposed to attorneys in a diverse range of practices, received immense insight on the interpersonal skills that lead to success and connected with law students from across the nation."

In addition to Good, Brittany Swanger '27, Suzy Brito Lagunas '27 and Karina Plasencia-Leos '28 also attended the conference which was held at Georgia State College of Law.

The keynote speaker was Annalisa Bloodworth, president and CEO of Oglethorpe Power Corp. "She gave an impactful presentation on the power of partnerships, leaving attendees to consider how they can be a person others want to work with and to reflect on who their partners are, professionally and personally," Good said.

One of the reasons Good said she liked the conference so much was the variety of presentations, including small group discussions, a panel discussion and interactive workshops. "Along with the conference being a more intimate setting, the organization enabled for more engagement, connection and learning," she wrote.

Lagunas added she appreciated that the conversations about women's success in the legal profession were not framed around having to be perfect before we are ready for the next opportunity. Instead, she left thinking about the kind of attorney she wants to become: someone willing to grow through discomfort, secure enough to surround herself with talented people, and intentional about making sure her success is not measured only by how far she goes, but by who is able to go further because she was there.

Plasencia-Leos shared that the conference was a truly eye-opening experience as well as a place of motivation and guidance. She said learned how to strengthen her networking skills and how her purpose will help guide her through her failures and achievements.

Swanger, who is serving as this year's Student Bar Association (SBA) president, described the conference as a space of connection and affirmation.

"I feel encouraged that as I am still finding my place in the legal world, I now have new peers and mentors to look to for guidance and support," she said.

Good added, "Thank you Assistant Dean of Students Regina Chavis for inviting me to this opportunity, Dean Rich Leonard and Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law for giving me the opportunity to attend and represent our school and to Ms. JD for hosting an inspiring experience!"

ABOUT CAMPBELL LAW SCHOOL

Since its founding in 1976, Campbell Law School has developed lawyers who possess moral conviction, social compassion, and professional competence, and who view the law as a calling to serve others. Among its accolades, the school has been recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) as having the nation's top Professionalism Program and by the American Academy of Trial Lawyers for having the nation's best Trial Advocacy Program. Campbell Law boasts more than 5,000 alumni, who make their home in nearly all 50 states and beyond. In 2026, Campbell Law is celebrating 50 years of graduating legal leaders and 17 years of being located in a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of North Carolina's Capital City.

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