Keith Collins, President
Where were you raised: I was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia.
Where did you complete your undergraduate and/or graduate education: I am an incredibly proud graduate of Norfolk State University, an HBCU (Historically Black College or University). Behold!
What are your future career plans: My immediate interests are split somewhere between Criminal Law and Entertainment and Production Law. However, my ultimate career goal is still to become a Supreme Court Justice.
What do you look forward to as the President: There is so much to look forward to at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. As President, I am eager to see the growth of our law school community as we continue to define the standard of our law school experience and encounter the legal profession.
What are your goals in the position this academic year: There are several goals I wish to accomplish this academic year. I plan to lead with kindness, respect, and professionalism. Above all, I am excited to see an even greater display of student involvement and I want all AJMLS students to experience and recognize the remarkable value that our law school community has to offer.
What do you want your classmates to know about you: I want my classmates to know that while it is my distinct honor to serve as SBA President, I am a student first, and that makes me no different from any one of them. Reach out to me. I’m accessible and I look forward to this journey.
Mercedes Dickerson, Vice President
Where were you raised: I was raised in Fortson, Georgia.
Where did you complete your undergraduate and/or graduate education: I went to Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and I studied Political Science and Spanish.
What are your future career plans: I want to be a criminal defense attorney, but I am open to many fields of law, including family law and environmental law.
What do you look forward to as the Vice President: I am looking forward to supporting the SBA President to lead our executive board and to guide class representatives in their task to advocate for their classmates. I am also excited about collaborating with student organizations to plan school events to increase camaraderie and networking opportunities.
What are your goals in the position this academic year: My primary goal is to implement a unique system of communication between SBA and the student body to ensure students’ needs are met effectively and consistently. Another goal of mine is to collaborate with the AJMLS faculty and staff to educate students about on-campus and off-campus resources, so they can be more successful.
What do you want your classmates to know about you: I want my classmates to know they can always approach me if they need someone to talk to. If I do not readily have an answer, I will contact someone who can help. I care about my classmates and will continue to advocate for them.
Grant Schrantz, Treasurer
Where were you raised: I was raised in Sarasota, FL.
Where did you complete your undergraduate and/or graduate education: Saint Leo University.
What are your future career plans: To work in corporate law. I want to do litigation and transactional work. I’m interested in business litigation, contract drafting, and sales & secured transactions, to name a few specific areas of law.
What do you look forward to as the Treasurer: Simplifying the funds requesting process for student organizations. Communicating and collaborating with them to make this a great school year.
What are your goals in the position this academic year: My goal is for student organizations to see requesting funds and staying on budget as easy tasks by the end of my tenure as treasurer.
What do you want your classmates to know about you: My door is always open. Reach out if you have any questions or concerns regarding your treasury needs.
Katherine Collins, Secretary
Where were you raised: I was raised in Gainesville, Georgia.
Where did you complete your undergraduate and/or graduate education: I received my Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in Sociology from Kennesaw State University. I also previously received my A.A. in Social Work from the University of North Georgia.
What are your future career plans: I am keeping all my options open as I journey through law school, but my passion lies in family law. As a previous foster parent, I also would love to work with juveniles in the foster care system as well as building legislation to fix the issues I have personally seen within the system.
What do you look forward to as the SBA Secretary: I look forward to working on the SBA Newsletter – the Dispatch, and I want to really focus on using communication like that to the best of our abilities to ensure everyone is “in the know.”
What are your goals in the position this academic year: My aim is to build off the momentum we have made in the previous year in ensuring open access to information, clear open lines of communication, and finding new ways to build transparency and openness between the students and the various student organizations to ensure we are all able to get involved and help build the community we desire at AJMLS.
What do you want your classmates to know about you: I understand how hard it is to juggle everything — as a part-time, evening student with a full-time job and the added load of children at home, I understand that we are all juggling a lot, and if there is ever something I can do within my role to help ensure our communications are done in such a way that helps you keep it all organized, never hesitate to reach out!
Lamone Graham, Parliamentarian
Where were you raised: I was raised in Atlanta, Georgia.
Where did you complete your undergraduate and/or graduate education: Kennesaw State University
What are your future career plans: In the future, I plan to be a business owner and a practicing attorney. The business plans are under wraps for now but in terms of law, I am currently interested in four areas: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property, Employment, and Entertainment. It may sound like a lot of different things but I am excited, open to learning, and going to go where God leads me.
What are your goals in the position this academic year: As Parliamentarian, my goals are to promote an orderly environment for the SBA and to help my peers feel heard and supported. Law school is not without its own challenges; so having a safe space where student concerns and needs can be shared in hopes of finding lasting solutions, is something I strive to create.