>> I graduated from the University of Maryland in College Park in 1992 and I graduated
with 2 degrees, 1 in government politics and another in African-American Studies.
And then went to the University of Maryland School of Law
in Baltimore and graduated in 1995.
And I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer.
Actually, it's interesting, 1 of the professors here at the university, Professor [inaudible],
was a mentor of mine and was on my trial team when I was here at University of Maryland.
And I, because I graduated with 2 degrees I was here for 5 years
and I was just, I was burned out.
And I told Dr. [inaudible] that I was going to, you know, take a year or 2 off
and explore the world and get to know myself and, and he counseled me very strongly
against that and so I want to thank him a lot for, for that good counsel
because who knows what would've happened.
But being a lawyer was something that I've always wanted to do.
It was something I was on track to do in, in undergraduate school
and so that was the plan from, from day 1.
I think it was always the idea of, of helping people.
Didn't know quite what being a lawyer meant but I knew that there was something involved
that related to helping people and that was something that I've always wanted to do.
I've always enjoyed intellectual engagement, not just argument, you know, not just arguing.
People say well you should be a lawyer because you're, you're good at debating or arguing
but just exchanging things and trying to persuade people
that what your position is is correct and it's always been something that has been intriguing
to me and I think it's part of my DNA.