DSU students gain real-world legal insight during visit to Richards, Layton & Finger
Delaware State University students recently visited the law firm Richards, Layton & Finger in Wilmington for an inside look at careers in law, connecting face to face with attorneys who shared their personal journeys, practical advice, and honest perspectives on the profession.
The visit began with a welcome from the firm and featured conversations with Doneene Damon, a director at Richards, Layton & Finger, along with members of the firm’s diversity and inclusion team. Students explored a range of practice areas and career pathways while taking part in a candid question and answer session focused on preparing for law school and building a path in the legal profession.
Kimeu W. Boynton, associate professor in the Sociology Department, said opportunities like this are designed to give students meaningful exposure beyond the classroom. “The main goal of our law studies program generally is to provide students with exposure to the career field,” Boynton said. “More specifically, we want students to be able to interact with industry professionals and create mentorship opportunities.” He added that hearing directly from professionals helps students better understand how to pursue their goals while building confidence in their own paths.
Zafyr Ahmad, a sophomore criminal justice major with a minor in sociology and the Legal Outreach Director for NOBLE, helped organize the visit to expand access to the legal profession for fellow students. Ahmad described the experience as both eye-opening and motivating. “From start to finish, the experience was both informative and inspiring,” Ahmad said. “The firm’s willingness to be transparent about their career paths and offer practical advice made the visit especially impactful.”
For Ahmad, the biggest takeaway was the genuine mentorship students received. “What stood out to me most was the level of intentional mentorship and the depth of insight the attorneys provided,” Ahmad said. “They did not simply speak about success; they spoke about discipline, adaptability and long-term growth. That honesty resonated deeply.”
Damon said the firm values opportunities to connect with students who are considering law as a career and to help cultivate the next generation of Delaware lawyers. “As the largest and one of the oldest law firms in Delaware, Richards, Layton & Finger believes it is important to cultivate the next generations of young lawyers to continue to cultivate our culture and deliver excellent client service,” Damon said. She described the conversation with DSU students as open and engaging, noting that representation and shared experiences can help students envision their own futures in the field. “They need to see it to believe it,” Damon said. “They need to see those who look like them, and they need to hear how our backgrounds are similar to theirs, so they can see a path to success for themselves as well.”
Boynton said he hopes students left feeling encouraged by hearing real stories about challenges, growth and perseverance. “The attorneys at the firm shared their stories, including challenges and obstacles,” Boynton said. “It showed the students that they simply need to stay focused on their goals and they can attain them.”