Rising Stars: Meet Michael Stallworth

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Stallworth. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Michael Stallworth received degrees in Sociology and Black Studies from UC Santa Barbara in 3 years and graduated summa cum laude. Upon graduating from UCSB, Michael worked as an a law clerk at Boucher LLP, where he assisted on sexual abuse cases against California Catholic Clergy members and employment law matters, and completed the SEO Law Fellowship, where he interned at Hogan Lovells US LLP. Currently, Michael is a 2L at UCLA School of Law specializing in three areas: Critical Race Studies, Technology and Law, and Media, Entertainment, Technology, and Sports, During his time at UCLA Law, Michael has served as 1L President and Diversity Chair for the Student Bar Association, 1L Rep and Co-Chair for BLSA, is a Glazer Scholar through the Critical Race Students Program, a student volunteer for the Labor and Economic Justice Clinic and Workers’ Rights Clinic, a staff member and Chief Diversity Editor of the UCLA Law Review, Chief Managing Editor for the National Black Law Journal, and as tour guide and student ambassador for UCLA Law. Michael also serves as the Student Liaison and Law Student Outreach Committee Chair for the Langston Bar Association. This past summer, Michael completed a 1L Diversity Fellowship at Hogan Lovells US LLP. Michael’s goal is to become a legal academic and attorney, where he will focus on the intersectionality of civil rights and entertainment law. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. 

In a study completed by Brandeis University, Stockton, California, was ranked the 4th worst place to raise children in the country. I grew up in this city, where violence and crime are undoubtedly prevalent, and young Black men are dying on a daily basis due to gang violence. It is ranked as one of America’s most dangerous and uneducated cities, where most teenagers fall victim to the troubles of the city. During my teenage years, my childhood friends were incarcerated for robbery, and I vividly remember their court processes. Having to visit them weekly in juvenile halls and communicate with them solely through the phone traumatized me. I knew that I needed to avoid trouble and make smart decisions, or I would end up following the wrong path. Ultimately, I felt unsafe in a city that I called home- the environment that shaped me into the person I am today. 

Many of my family members had similar struggles growing up in Stockton. Growing up, I learned that my uncle, Michael, who was dealing with mental health struggles at the time, was gunned down by the Stockton Police Department. Since he did not receive the necessary medical treatment in jail, Michael had a mental breakdown, leading him to escape from jail, kill his wife, and hijack two cars. His mental illness impaired his judgment and cost him his life. This led my grandfather to file a civil suit against the city of Stockton for wrongful death based on lack of medical attention, which was later thrown out by the court. This experience introduced me to the injustices of our criminal justice system and stripped away my innocence at a young age. I was prematurely exposed to the harsh realities of how my identity would shape my future experiences in society. 

Learning about my uncle’s murder contributed to my vast interest in the criminal justice system and how I can be an advocate for equal treatment among all communities. My uncle’s murder reflected the law’s duty to help the mentally ill and implement policies to provide adequate resources because incarceration does not fix society’s underlying problems. Although the environment in Stockton seemed limiting, I have always had a desire to learn more. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The most rewarding experiences of my job come from seeing the relief on our clients’ faces once I am able to provide them with key details that will move their case forward. For one client in particular, the sexual abuse and neglect he experienced resulted in a life of misfortune. Our client is currently in prison and had trouble identifying multiple priests that sexually assaulted him at a young age. With just a few identification details and the location of the church, I was able to successfully identify the name of the priests and find pictures and videos to help our client confirm their identity. My research marked a milestone in two different things: my professional career and in our client’s life. It taught me that being in the legal profession is exactly where I belong because I have the opportunity to change lives and advocate on behalf of people that cannot advocate for themselves; it taught me that I am an agent for change. 

These experiences, coupled with my social justice education, have solidified my interest in the law. I am certain that I have a calling on my life to be a social justice warrior. Becoming a civil rights attorney will grant me the opportunity to seek social justice through my legal education and contribute to the three percent of Black men that represent lawyers across the country. Receiving a legal education will allow me to transform racial justice advocacy by finding solutions to complex challenges and providing me with the resources necessary for the success of my civil rights career. 

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I love connecting with pre-law students and telling them about my experiences. So many people paved the way for me, so I try to do as much as possible to pay it forward. Reach out to me! I’ll never turn you away. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: michaelstallworth