Ikechukwu Ekeke (LAW ’16), a fellow in the law school’s Milton A. Kramer Law Clinic and coach of the Black Law Student Association (BLSA) Mock Trial Team, was recently selected to The National Black Lawyers organization’s “Top 40 Under 40 Black Lawyers in Ohio.”
Ekeke earned both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in engineering from Mercer University before graduating from CWRU School of Law in 2016.
For the first two and a half years of his law career, he worked in the Juvenile Division and General Felony Unit in the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, drafting charges, motions and briefs, and conducting hearings and trials for cases ranging from petty offenses to major trial offenses. It was an experience that was both challenging and fulfilling.
“Whether I was consoling the family of a child victim or explaining to my client the implications of prevailing in motion to suppress, knowing that I’m making a difference has been invaluable to me, both personally and professionally,” said Ekeke.
Citing his strong interest in providing mentorship to young legal minds, Ekeke returned to the law school in the fall of 2019 as a fellow, serving as a staff attorney and instructor in the Criminal Law Clinic. He was also brought in to coach the BLSA Mock Trial Team, which was reestablished under Ekeke and had an immediate and impactful return to competition, placing third in both regional and national mock trial tournaments.
“Coaching the team was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had since rejoining the law school,” said Ekeke. “Bring the CWRU Law BLSA Mock Trial Team back to competition and having immediate success while building alumni support has been a personal delight, propelling my drive to continue to contribute to this effort anyway I can.”
Ekeke’s success in his legal career and as an academic led to his selection to The National Black Lawyers organization’s Top 40 Under 40 Lawyers, an invitation-only, professional honorary organization for attorneys who excel in their careers and promote diversity. The National Black Lawyers is one of very few preeminent organizations in the United States established to promote the nation’s top black attorneys and is designed to enhance the professional development of its members.
“This honor means so much to my family and loved ones who have been instrumental to my career,” said Ekeke. “But for me, it serves a reminder of how much more I hope to contribute to society and make a difference in the lives of others around me.”