Michael Harding
Mentee
Villanova Law School
Class of 2023
“Participating in brown bag lunches, writing workshops, conferences and so on has deepened my understanding of appellate practice and my place in it. . . to see this amazing group of Black and Brown law students seeking incredible heights inspires me to pursue my best self.”
Tell us about your interest in appellate work and why you decided to join this Mentorship Program.
I entered law school guided by the belief that lawyers can be stewards of a just democracy by harnessing the law’s potential for good to ensure the lived experiences of those on society’s margins are more fair and fruitful. As an aspiring public interest attorney, I aim to leverage diverse voices to challenge existing power structures and legal frameworks that perpetuate systemic injustices. Our nation’s highest courts have had a complicated history upholding equal treatment under the law for Black and Brown people, poor people, queer people, and women. The underlying factor giving rise to this fraught legacy is rooted in who sits on the benches across our country. When so few of our judges, clerks, and attorneys in the appellate bar reflect the rich diversity of the communities affected, our collective pursuit of justice suffers. To have a more informed, inclusive, and fair society, our nation’s highest courts must truly represent the people they serve. In short, I’m interested in appellate work because I want to be one of those stewards championing what our society can be unburdened by what it has been. I decided to join this Mentorship Program because I want to contribute to the broader narrative of young people pursuing racial, social and environmental justice by celebrating and leveraging diversity of thought, perspective, and experience.
What has it been like working with your mentor/mentee? Is there an experience you particularly enjoyed, something significant you learned, etc.?
Growing up, I was fortunate to have mentors who pushed me to pursue my best self. These mentors reflected a world full of endless possibilities in the face of voices and institutions telling me otherwise. They expanded the scope of what I thought I could achieve in life. Working with my TAP mentor, Rob, has been a blessing in the same way. To be sure, he has an abundance of practical knowledge about appellate practice and has truly opened my eyes to the intricacies of the legal profession. More importantly, though, Rob is a good man. He has instilled in me a conviction that feelings of self-doubt or trepidation are not manifestations of powerlessness, but actually calls to action, to persevere. Like many others in this mentorship program, I sometimes struggle with my own sense of belonging in the legal world and whether I deserve a seat at the table. Beyond offering practical guidance and networking opportunities, Rob has continually reaffirmed my value and has made me feel “seen” in the truest sense (even more impressive over Zoom!). Much of my growth over the years has been attributed to mentors like Rob who have invested their time and energy in me. While the mentorship program is ending, I look forward w continuing my relationship with Rob as I navigate through my journey in the legal profession.
What is something you will take with you from this experience? It could be appellate- related or broader, such as something you realized about yourself, our profession, etc.
I’ve always been a knowledge seeker and curious about how I could wrap my mind around the world. I love asking questions and learning from people who know more than me and can expand the way that I engage with the world. Participating in brown bag lunches, writing workshops, conferences and so on has deepened my understanding of appellate practice and my place in it. Above all else, to see this amazing group of Black and Brown law students seeking incredible heights inspires me to pursue my best self. I’ll take this deepened knowledge and sense of purpose with me as I move forward in my legal career.
Robert Parker
Mentor
Deputy Chief, U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Appellate Section
“I was the first person in my family to graduate from college, let alone law school, and I would never have ended up as an appellate lawyer if others had not been willing to help me along the way”
Tell us about your interest in appellate work and why you decided to join this Mentorship Program.
Most appellate lawyers gravitate to this field because they enjoy reading, writing, and puzzling through complicated issues. That’s all true for me. But the other thing that drew me to appellate work is the close-knit and collegial bar. I’m willing to bet that no other group of litigators—maybe no other group of lawyers—affords each other the same care and respect that appellate lawyers do. Unfortunately, that collegiality can also make it difficult to break in. That’s why I became a mentor. I was the first person in my family to graduate from college, let alone law school, and I would never have ended up as an appellate lawyer if others had not been willing to help me along the way. The Appellate Project provides an opportunity to pay that forward by helping law students—especially those who historically have been underrepresented in the appellate bar—to walk the same path.
What has it been like working with your mentee/mentor? Is there an experience you particularly enjoyed, something significant you learned, etc.?
Working with Michael has been a privilege. We have regular Zoom calls, and he always comes prepared with questions and ideas. His knowledge of almost every topic we’ve discussed—legal issues, judges, law firms, current events—is far ahead of where I was at his age (and often far ahead of where I am now). And his dedication to the public interest is inspiring. At every step, Michael thinks about which option will allow him to do the most good. It’s an honor to help him achieve that goal. I look forward to continuing the relationship and, with luck, meeting in person!
What is something you will take with you from the experience? It could be appellate-related or broader, such as something you realized about yourself, mentorship, etc.
This experience has taught me how important it is for mentors to actively seek out mentees, and not just the other way around. I can’t imagine how anyone, in any career, could succeed without mentors. It’s certainly essential in appellate law. But many people who are in a position to help wait to be asked, and many people who could most benefit from mentoring face enormous barriers to access. One thing I’ll take away from this project is the importance of mentors getting out there, offering their help, and doing what they can to break down those barriers.