Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Laskin, Esquire.
Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am an Attorney, full-time high school teacher and Paralegal Studies Professor who teaches and runs a Justice, Law and Society Program in Silver Spring, Maryland. I also create legal education content across social media. I am a Maryland-licensed Attorney and California-credentialed Teacher. Originally from Southern New Jersey- Vineland is my hometown.
I entered the University of Georgia in 1991 and moved to Atlanta, Georgia two years later transferring to Oglethorpe University. I ended up earning my degree (Cum Laude) in Middle School Education in 1996. After college, I lived and worked as a teacher in Santiago, Chile and Yucatan, Mexico until returning home to the U.S. after two years in Latin America. I learned Spanish at that time and continue to speak it almost every day in my work or with friends. Learning Spanish was probably the very best decision I have ever made in my whole life. My Spanish is not perfect but people are very helpful and forgiving when you try your best to communicate.
I happily returned home to the United States and was recruited to teach middle school in Howard County, Maryland living in Fells Point, Baltimore for almost four years. In 2001, I earned a Master’s in Reading from Johns Hopkins University and became a Maryland state-certified Reading Specialist.
Life propelled forward and I moved to Santa Cruz County, California and lived from 2001-2012. In California, I was an alternative high school teacher in Watsonville and Teacher-Organizer and Executive Board member with the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers. I am an enthusiastic advocate on issues relating to Girl’s Rights, Juvenile Justice, Systemic Racism, and Public Education. I needed a sharper sword and a strategy to improve my advocacy and community organizing so I thought about pursuing a law degree and bar license.
In 2012, I moved to Washington, DC and began law school at the David A. Clarke School of Law. During law school, I was mentored by extraordinary civil rights lawyers and law professors with cutting-edge experience in educational and civil rights litigation. I contributed over 1000 hours as a Student Attorney in the Housing and Consumer Law Clinic and the Juvenile Law and Special Education clinic. I served as Associate Editor on the UDC Law Review and was the recipient of the Edgar Cahn Community Service Award, chosen by my classmates to receive the honor in 2015. After law school, I was the Educational Legal Advocate with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender.
Currently, I am the Coordinating Teacher in a high school and teach Paralegal Studies at the college level. My law practice includes brief consultations, referrals, limited legal services and General Counsel representation for small businesses and non-profit organizations. My social media platforms and TikTok Lawyer “Jenny Justice555” videos focus on personal finance and student loan literacy and a wide array of other legal and life topics.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not been smooth but I have been fortunate to access a level of privilege and opportunity and I always keep that in perspective. Being lazy, dishonest or mean to others only creates more struggles and makes things harder. I have found with a positive attitude, honestly, courage and a healthy lifestyle…the road is much smoother. Living on these principles brings positivity to me and teaches me how to get through rough times. My community- through work, spiritual and social circles- are truly my highest blessing!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I think I am known for advocacy and community organizing in Educational and Social spaces. I wanted to get my law degree and license to enable people to feel more confident with legal problems- even if the outcome and struggle will be hard.
My combination of skills and workspaces…from college to high school classrooms and into the courtroom is unique. In California, I spent more time in the streets and community than I do now. Since the COVID quarantine has eased my clients are entrepreneurial individuals or small organizations. Main issues close to my heart have always revolved around Girl’s & Kid’s Programming, Juvenile Justice, Legal Advocacy & Equity and Empowerment and Public Education.
I am proud of my networks and the trust we have for each other. Trust is crucial for social change. My brand is about self-sufficiency, intellectual empowerment of all ages and access to information. I create and post content on multiple platforms. I am proud of my history working with a diverse mix of teachers, legal professionals, lawyers, union activists & leadership, community-based non-profit orgs and of course…our students and clients.
How do you think about happiness?
Good health and Freedom make me happy. Autonomy makes me happy. My dogs make me happy. Financial Stability makes me happy. Sharing my knowledge and experience with people and creating a platform and opportunities for power-sharing and kindness on these principles make me happy. Working with people under 20 years old as much as possible & collaborating to help others makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jlaskinlaw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennlaskin_legal/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/jenniferx2012
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvyWCjDrVyQQXweI39THKdA
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyjustice555?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
Teko Alejo TEKO PHOTOGRAPHY
