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Kristina Mills is the National President of National Black Prosecutors Association.
I was drawn to the law because I saw it as a powerful way to serve people, strengthen communities, and help ensure that systems of justice live up to their purpose. I did not pursue this profession simply because I wanted to become a lawyer; I wanted a career through which my work could have a direct and meaningful impact on people’s lives.
As a prosecutor, I have had the privilege of serving victims, advocating for public safety, and handling cases involving some of the most vulnerable members of our community. My work in domestic violence prosecution, in particular, has profoundly shaped my understanding of justice. It has taught me that legal knowledge alone is not enough. Effective advocacy also requires empathy, preparation, sound judgment, cultural awareness, and the willingness to listen carefully to people whose experiences may be very different from our own.
My path has also been shaped by the responsibility of serving as a Black woman within the criminal justice system. Representation matters, but representation must be accompanied by purpose. While I believe systems are necessary, they must be accountable and actively address bias. We must also understand that meaningful change comes from the principled people working within those systems, not the systems themselves. That belief continues to guide both my work as a prosecutor and my leadership of the National Black Prosecutors Association.
Looking back, the experiences that most influenced me were those that placed me close to the people affected by the law—not only in courtrooms, but also in conversations with victims, families, witnesses, colleagues, and members of the community. Those experiences reminded me that every case file represents real people and that a legal career is, at its core, a career of service.
Start building trial and courtroom experience as early as possible. Participate in clinics, intern with a State Attorney’s, District Attorney’s, or United States Attorney’s Office, join mock trial, and pursue opportunities that require you to stand on your feet, analyze facts, and make arguments in real time. Prosecution is a craft learned through practice, not simply by reading cases.
Courses in criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, constitutional law, trial advocacy, legal writing, and professional responsibility are essential preparation for a career in prosecution. Take them as early as possible. New-hire training varies considerably among prosecutors’ offices, and some offer only brief instruction focused on local court procedures and office policies—not a comprehensive review of substantive law. Many offices therefore expect new prosecutors to arrive with a strong command of these foundational subjects.
Students should also observe court proceedings and speak with prosecutors at different stages of their careers. Offices differ significantly in size, culture, caseload, resources, training, and the communities they serve. Understanding those differences can help students identify the environment in which they are most likely to grow and contribute meaningfully.
In addition to developing practical skills, aspiring prosecutors should begin preparing for the emotional weight of the work. Particularly in areas such as special victims, community violence, and working with juvenile offenders, prosecutors must constantly balance the requirements of the law with the realities of a victim’s life, safety, trauma, and willingness to participate in the process. There will not always be a clean or easy answer.
Seek mentors who have learned to manage that responsibility ethically and effectively. Organizations like NBPA help connect law students and early-career attorneys with prosecutors who can demonstrate what thoughtful, sustainable, and ethical prosecution looks like in daily practice.
I also encourage students to develop relationships with people who do not look like them or share their backgrounds. The strongest prosecutors understand the communities they serve, not only the laws they enforce. Experiences with victim-service organizations, legal-aid programs, public defenders, community organizations, and agencies addressing mental health or substance use can deepen that understanding.
Most importantly, remember that a prosecutor’s duty is not simply to obtain convictions. It is to pursue justice fairly, ethically, and thoughtfully. That responsibility requires integrity, humility, compassion, grounded judgment, and the courage to make difficult decisions—even when those decisions are unpopular.
Founded in 1983, the National Black Prosecutors Association is the only professional organization dedicated to recruiting, retaining, training, supporting, and advancing Black prosecutors. We serve prosecutors at every stage of their careers—from law students exploring public service to seasoned career prosecutors and elected or appointed officials leading offices and shaping policy.
Our work extends beyond increasing representation. We want Black prosecutors to enter the profession, receive meaningful support, grow as advocates and leaders, and remain in public service long enough to influence their offices and communities. We provide mentorship, professional development, leadership opportunities, continuing legal education, networking, and a genuine community for professionals who may be among the few—or the only—Black prosecutors in their offices.
Our Annual Conference brings together prosecutors from across the country for training, professional networking, community engagement, and recognition of excellence within the field. Many returning attendees affectionately call it our “Family Reunion,” reflecting the genuine sense of connection and community that distinguishes our conference. It also provides law students and young prosecutors the unique opportunity to engage openly with chief prosecutors and members of their executive teams through formal programming, networking events, and informal conversations throughout the week.
New and current prosecutors can get involved by becoming active NBPA members. Members receive information about monthly webinars and other programming, access to networking and training resources through our online membership portal, and eligibility to apply for our annual Leadership Academy cohort. Additional opportunities include attending our Annual Conference and Job Fair, participating in mentorship and educational programs, serving on a committee, volunteering through a local chapter, and connecting with a regional director. We also offer a Mentor/Mentee Program designed to connect law students and new attorneys with experienced prosecutors who can help them navigate the practical and personal realities of the profession.
Law students can become involved by joining NBPA, attending our Annual Conference and Job Fair, connecting with a local chapter, participating in mentorship and educational programming, and engaging with prosecutors in their communities. Students interested in prosecution should also explore the National Black Prosecutors Foundation, which supports the pipeline into prosecution through scholarships, fellowships, internship placements, financial assistance, and mentorship.
My message to emerging professionals is simple: do not wait until you feel established to become involved. We want people to find NBPA before they feel burned out or isolated in their first position. The earlier the connection, the more effectively we can help them build relationships, find mentors, develop professionally, and create a sustainable career in public service. Professional organizations are not merely places to turn after achieving success; they are communities that can help people become the lawyers and leaders they hope to be.
Resilience and self-awareness often matter more than academic credentials. Law school and legal practice will test a person’s judgment and values repeatedly, frequently in situations where there is no clean answer. The students who thrive are those who can sit with ambiguity, accept constructive feedback, learn from setbacks, and remain grounded in the purpose that brought them to the profession when the work becomes difficult.
Intellectual curiosity, discipline, integrity, emotional intelligence, and humility are also essential. Law school challenges students to think differently, manage competing demands, and continue working through uncertainty. Successful law students do not arrive knowing every answer. Those who gain the most are willing to ask thoughtful questions, seek help, improve their writing, and recognize that growth is an ongoing part of the profession.
Authenticity is also integral. Students from underrepresented backgrounds many times feel pressure to perform a version of “lawyer” that does not reflect who they are. The attorneys I respect most—and the attorneys NBPA seeks to cultivate—bring their full selves and their communities’ perspectives into the courtroom. They do not allow stereotypical constructs of professionalism to force them into leaving their identity or lived experience at the door.
Applicants should not underestimate the value of lived experiences outside a traditional legal setting. Employment, caregiving, military service, community involvement, advocacy, leadership, and overcoming personal or financial challenges often develop skills that are invaluable in law school and legal practice. These experiences teach perseverance, time management, empathy, communication, and the ability to work with people from different backgrounds.
A meaningful legal career also requires a clear sense of purpose. That purpose may evolve, but students should think carefully about whom they hope to serve, what problems they want to help solve, and what values they want their work to reflect. Titles and credentials may open doors, but purpose, character, and consistent service are the qualities that guide attorneys to build careers of lasting significance.
Finally, I encourage prospective students to reject the belief that they must navigate the profession alone. Seek community early. Organizations like NBPA exist so that no one has to navigate the profession alone. Find people who will tell you the truth about the profession—not only the polished version. Seek mentors, build relationships with classmates and faculty, join organizations aligned with your goals, and remain connected to people who remind you why you began. The legal profession is demanding, but with preparation, support, and a commitment to serving with excellence and integrity, it can also be extraordinarily meaningful.
We're proud to feature insights from leaders like Kristina Mills to help inspire future lawyers on their journey to law school.
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