Conversations with Jade Peeples

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Peeples.

Hi Jade, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 2015, I moved to Los Angeles after graduating from the University of Illinois – Champaign with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance. I had come to Los Angeles for Spring Break the summer before I moved with some friends. We had the time of our lives and decided to move to Los Angeles permanently. I did very little planning for my move and took a huge risks by moving to LA with $200 and the full support of my parents. I could never repay them enough for encouraging me to take a leap of faith because it has made me the woman I am today. Shortly after landing in LA, I was hired at Equinox Beverly Hills where I became a Trainer and Fitness instructor. I also taught at local dance studios around LA and fell in love with the people. After years of personal training, I got hired at Orangetheory and got married. This was the beginning of a life shift for me. Marriage moved me to Texas and I got a Master in Sports Management from Texas AM. I thought this was my new reality but the troubles of marriage quickly thwarted my Texas life. I found myself in an emotionally abusive relationship. I stayed in the relationship as long as I could thinking it would get better but it only got worse.

Eventually, things got unbearable and I chose me over my marriage. I packed my bags and headed back to Chicago. Upon returning, I was lost. I did not know what I wanted to do or how I would redefine my purpose. I started back working at Orangetheory and other fitness facilities and met a black woman lawyer who changed my life forever. She was a member of the gym I managed and we would sit and talk for hours after classes. She told me about her career and often told me I’d make a great lawyer. I was skeptical at first because I did not really know what lawyering actually looked like but I was encouraged by my dad to take on any new opportunity to find my next. She hired me as an intern in her law firm and I loved the work. Who knew I was so good at researching and analysis! I found purpose in helping her advocate for her clients. It was amazing. Her and I quickly formed a bond and she began trusting me with more and more responsibility. Eventually, she decided she wanted to run for Congress and I was eager to help however I could. She spent a few weeks spinning her wheels trying to find a campaign manager. In the interim, I was doing everything that needed to be done. She saw my passion and how organized and confident I was in my ability to lead. Finally one day, she stopped her search and hired me on the spot. I traveled with her to receive campaign training and quickly organized her cabinet and hired interns. We worked well together. Sadly, as we were getting the campaign off the ground Covid-19 hit and devastated our fundraising efforts. We had to drop out of the race and I was hired as the Field Director by her primary opponent.

While all this campaign stuff was happening, she encouraged me to apply to law school. I had no idea what I was doing but I jumped into the process and took the LSAT. It was a terrifying experience and extremely exhausting because I was finalizing my divorce while studying. I took the exam once and did terribly. I come from a praying family and I knew my father’s prayers were covering me because to this day I do not know how I made it through. The law application process was wild but I got in! I cried for a week straight and was excited to start this new journey. I moved to Chicago where my school was located and knew I had to show up and show out if I was to land a good job. My first semester of law school was blood, sweat, and tears. I do not know if I’ve ever been through an academic journey so exhaustingly difficult but it was also the time of my life. I met amazing people and absolutely killed it! I was in the top 5% of my class and landed a Big Law job my first summer. This changed my life forever. Now that I knew I could do it. I went into my second year of law school determined to share my story. There is less than 5% of Black lawyers in the field and I’ve made it my mission to increase those numbers. So I did what anyone would do these days, I started making content on social media! This content started with just showing my journey but developed into me sharing how to get into law school. I was chosen by Northwestern to be a Black Student Representative for the Admissions office and I wanted to share with the world all the information that I did not have while I was applying.

I am officially in my final year of law school in my last semester. I have landed the job and done all the things others would deem to look like success. This year has been the hardest though. On January 29, 2023 I lost my dad to cancer. He was my hero, my biggest supporter, and my twin. I was lucky enough to have final conversations with him where he told me, “finish the race” and “I am so proud of you.” I hear him in my head daily and it keeps me going in my purpose. A black woman attorney inspired and lifted me up and I am committed to doing that for other students. Law school is not easy for people who look like me. There are many barriers to entry but with determination and resources, we too can succeed. I vow to provide students with those resources.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Divorce, finances, and the death of my father have been difficult feats along the way. I moved to LA with very little money but somehow it always worked out. I attribute this to my relentless faith. If it is for me, IT will be Mine! So I never fold!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I currently am a Law student that will be working in Big Law as an Intellectual Property Associate in September 2024. I am known for helping prelaw students apply to law school on Tik Tok and other social media. I am most proud of my students. They are relentless and often come out joyous after feeling defeated in the process. What sets me apart is my ability to connect with students to help them highlight their strengths in a way that makes admissions offices listen. I also do not and will not put myself in the way of someone else’s success. I do not take credit for their wins and I want them to feel like they can and will WIN simply by making calculated decisions.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The biggest way to support me is to follow my journey on TikTok @Livinglikejade! This is the platform I will continue taking the people with me on my journey!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stan.store/livinglikejade
• Instagram: jadejeanlee