Meeting the AG and Sitting in at NEL: A Day That Changed Everything

AG Andrea Joy Campbell – 2025

There are a few moments in your life that make you feel like you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. For me, one of those moments happened this fall at the Massachusetts Paralegal Association dinner.

When I first stepped into the 50th anniversary celebration of the Massachusetts Paralegal Association in Boston, I felt a strong sense of gratitude. I was so honored and excited to have the opportunity to network with so many highly esteemed legal professionals in Boston.

The keynote speaker was the Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. Andrea graduated from UCLA Law School, and before being elected as the first black woman to serve as Massachusetts Attorney General, she served on the Boston City Council. The moment she stepped up to the podium, I could feel that this wasn’t going to be one of those stiff political speeches. She spoke directly, with warmth, experience, and with urgency. Her words were inspiring and impactful. She discussed law as a tool for service and her passion for helping the people of Massachusetts by standing up to the federal government. I found myself sitting there thinking, this is what leadership in the law is supposed to look like. Someone who’s been through things. Someone who had to work for her place at the table and is willing to fight for others to achieve that as well.

After the speech, I had the chance to speak with her one-on-one. I didn’t expect to get that opportunity and I was a little nervous. But she greeted me like we’d known each other forever. I told her I was preparing to reapply to law school. I told her how long I’d dreamed of joining the legal community in Boston. She spoke so highly of the city of Boston and the excellent law schools there, such as Suffolk Law and New England Law. She gave me words of encouragement and shared her excitement that I was pursuing a career in law.

Earlier that day, I had toured New England Law and Suffolk Law. At New England, I sat in on a 3L bar prep session with the one and only “Coach,” who somehow made test prep feel electric. I also thoroughly enjoyed hearing about how Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s visit to New England led to a long lasting relationship between the Supreme Court and New England Law. At Suffolk, I spoke with several remarkable students and met with Dean Anthony Orlando. At both schools, I saw students focused and driven, I saw professors who challenged and supported, and could see myself at either one. Law school won’t be easy. But that’s never what I was after. I’m chasing purpose, and that day in Boston, as well as my conversation with AG Campbell, helped me see mine even clearer.

– Caroline Stella