Purpose, Impact, & The Stories That Define Us

Diantha Ellis

Alumna

Class of 2018

As a non-traditional law school student, I balanced multiple responsibilities throughout my time at Mercer Law. However, my village of cheerleaders played a vital role in encouraging me. Many of these supporters were my amazing classmates, several with whom I remain in contact to this day.

As a writer, I found my happy place in my Legal Writing classes. Professor Teri A. McMurtry-Chubb, or “Professor MC” as she is affectionately known to her students, was my Legal Writing I professor and has remained a close friend and mentor to me beyond law school. Another academic mentor and dear friend whom I met at Mercer Law is Dean Karen Sneddon, my professor for Legal Writing II and many other classes. I credit both women with helping me to develop my legal writing skills and assuring me through their thoughtful coaching that I had indeed made the right choice to embark on the law school journey. I am eternally grateful to Professor MC, Dean Sneddon, and each one of my Mercer Law professors for the wisdom and mentorship they provided to me during and since law school.

While already a tenured associate professor at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) before law school, I have since earned full Professor rank. My Juris Doctor and subsequent Master of Laws (LL.M,, business and health law, Emory Law) have opened so many doors for me and continue to play an invaluable role in the upward trajectory of my academic career. And whenever my students ask me about law school, I always find a way to work Mercer Law into the conversation!