Meet Michael Stallworth | Law Student, Law Clerk & Podcast Host

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Stallworth and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
5% of attorneys in the legal profession are Black and 3% are Black men. I always knew I wanted to be attorney, but I didn’t really understand the power of representation until I started creating YouTube videos about my experience. I would receive comments, emails, and DMs from aspiring lawyers asking to meet with me to discuss my path and experiences, as well as compliments on the transparency of my journey. I had no idea I would reach so many people, I just knew I wanted to document my experience in some way to reflect on how far I’ve come. It’s so easy to forget about all of the things we’ve accomplished because imposter syndrome drowns out those thoughts and accomplishments, but when I look back at my content, I’m able to see how many barriers I’ve overcome. I continue to find ways to use my experiences to bring awareness about the lack of diversity in the legal profession, which is why I started making TikTok videos and launched my Podcast called “It’s Stallworthit.”

People would see my life on social media and immediately assume that everything is so “peachy”- they’d see me at concert/music festivals, traveling, etc. But they didn’t know the hurdles I had to get through to finally enjoy living my life. This ranged from attempted suicide, being a pastor’s kid and having no control over my life, being emotionally, physically, and sexually abused, and struggling with my sexuality. That’s why I became so transparent and open in all creative expenditures, to show people that there’s a light at the end of the rainbow- you just have to start somewhere to find it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I received degrees in Sociology and Black Studies from UC Santa Barbara in three years and graduated summa cum laude. While at UCSB, Michael co-founded a pre-law organization for Black students called Obsidian Pre-Law Association, completed the UCLA Law Fellows Program in 2019, worked as a resident assistant, tour guide, and orientation advisor, was a member of the UCSB Cheerleading Team, completed the College of Letters and Science Honors Program, and wrote an honors thesis for the Black Studies Department. Stallworth also won the “Michael D. Young Engaged Scholar Award” for his principled leadership and scholarly knowledge through his time at UCSB.

Upon graduating from UCSB, I worked as an Application Reader for UC Santa Barbara, a law clerk at Boucher LLP, where he assisted on sexual abuse cases against California Catholic Clergy members and employment law matters, and completed the SEO Law Fellowship, where I interned at Hogan Lovells US LLP. This past summer, I worked as a 1L LCLD Scholar at Hogan Lovells US LLP. Currently, I am a 2L at UCLA School of Law, specializing in Media & Entertainment Law and Critical Race Studies. During my time at UCLA, I have served as 1L President, 1L Rep for BLSA, on the Dean’s Student Advisory Committee for the Technology Student Advisory Group, Staff Member for UCLA Law Review, Co-Chair for the BLSA, SBA Diversity, Chair, and a Student Ambassador for UCLA Law. I am also a Glazer Scholar through the Critical Race Students Program, Chief Managing Editor for the UCLA National Black Law Journal, and am a tour guide. My goal is to become a legal academic and attorney, where I will focus on the areas of litigation, civil rights, employment, and entertainment.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friends know I love music, so the first stop on our weekend tour is definitely a concert. My favorite venues are YouTube Theater and SOFI Stadium. Before the concert, we’d definitely go to Elephante for some whipped eggplant, meatballs, and banana bread, paired with our favorite cocktails. For the rest of the weekend, we’d do something more on the chill side: shopping at Century City mall or the Beverly Center, brunch at Fixins in LA Live, maybe a day party of some sort at the Beehive, and dinner at Casa Madera. Visiting The Broad or Getty is also definitely on the list, so we can admire the art and continue catching up.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mother is my superhero. My grandmother gave birth to my mother when she was fifteen years old and unsure of who her baby’s father was. Due to these circumstances, my mother was raised by her grandmother, who she called “mama.” Although my mother did not know her biological father, this did not stop her from achieving her goals.

When I was a baby, my mother moved herself and her five children from Inglewood, CA to Stockton, CA in order to free herself and her children from an abusive relationship. This lead her to sacrifice her mental health, safety, and happiness to make sure that her children were safe and protected. She raised five children on her own while working full-time because she wanted to make sure she gave us the life that she never had. When I was seven years old, my mother remarried and decided to adopt her sister’s daughter, my younger cousin, and raised her as her own with her husband. In 2015, my mother’s husband passed away due to a heart attack, leaving her to raise a young child alone. I say all of this to emphasize the fact that no matter what life has thrown my mother’s way, she has never given up and always wears a smile on her face. Her strength and resilience has taught me to always hold my head high, focus on the positive, and never give up. She is the reason why I am so strong today. Aside from God, I owe everything I have to her.

Instagram: @michaelstallworth

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgstallworth/

Youtube: Michael Stallworth