Our Interview With Rachel Davakis, President of the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia

Rachel Davakis is the President of the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia.

WBADC plays an important role in supporting women in the legal profession. What do you wish more pre-law and law students understood about building a successful and meaningful career in law?‍

First, I wish more students understood that there is no single path to a successful and meaningful legal career. Undergraduate and law school can understandably make students feel as though they need to have everything mapped out: the right internships, the right first job, and the right practice area. But some of the most accomplished lawyers I know have built careers that evolved in ways they never could have predicted. A choice that looks like a detour may introduce you to a mentor or an opportunity that changes the direction of your career. Leave some room for serendipity.

Second, I hope students, and particularly young women, recognize the importance of knowing their worth early in their careers. What you bring to the profession is not defined solely by years of experience, titles, or grades. It also comes from your judgment, perspective, integrity, curiosity, empathy, courage, and creativity.

Once you recognize your strengths, build the confidence to act on them. That means raising your hand for an opportunity before you meet every qualification, asking to be included in an important meeting or assignment, or advocating for fair compensation and advancement. Trusting that you have something meaningful to contribute can open doors you might otherwise have assumed were out of reach.

Third, careers are built through relationships as much as resumes. We see that every day within the WBADC membership. The people you meet through bar associations, internships, classes, and volunteer opportunities may become mentors, sponsors, colleagues, or clients years later. And some of your most important relationships may be with peers who are building their careers alongside you. Investing in those relationships and in your professional community can shape your career in ways you cannot anticipate at the outset.‍

For students considering law school, what skills, experiences, or qualities can they begin developing before applying that will help them succeed both in law school and later in their careers?

Seek out experiences that make you more interesting, capable, and empathetic, and not simply those you think will impress a law school admissions committee. Working in a restaurant or retail can teach you how to manage competing demands, solve problems quickly, and remain composed when someone is unhappy. Athletics can teach discipline, resilience, and teamwork. Organizing a campus event can teach you how to persuade people, manage a budget, and delegate responsibility. Community service can expose you to people and problems far outside your own experience. Pursuing an interest that seems unrelated to law can develop a perspective that shapes how you think, work, understand others, and ultimately distinguishes you as a lawyer.

I would also encourage students to be open to technology and artificial intelligence. Young professionals entering the profession now have a unique opportunity: they will be among the first generations of lawyers to learn how to work with AI from the very beginning of their careers. That means they may enter workplaces where, despite being the most junior attorneys in the room, they have knowledge and instincts about emerging technology that more experienced lawyers are still developing. Approach that opportunity with curiosity and confidence. Learn what AI can do, understand its limitations, and think creatively about how it can help lawyers work better and serve clients and communities more effectively.‍

How can pre-law and law students begin building meaningful relationships with attorneys and mentors, particularly if they don’t come from a legal background?

You do not need to come from a family of lawyers to build a strong professional network. Organizations like the WBADC help make the legal community more accessible by creating opportunities for connection. Many voluntary and affinity bar associations offer discounted student memberships, giving you access to programs, networking opportunities, and often a member directory. Being a member of the same organization gives you a natural point of connection when introducing yourself to an attorney whose career interests you.

Once you begin making connections, be intentional about how you build them, focusing on quality over quantity. Early in my career, I approached networking events thinking I needed to meet as many people as possible. I have since learned that one meaningful conversation is often more valuable than a dozen quick introductions. Make it your goal to leave each event with one genuine connection. Take the time to have a real conversation, ask thoughtful questions, and follow up afterward rather than trying to work the room. 

From there, look for ways to contribute. Volunteer for a committee, help with a program, or take on a project. Working alongside attorneys allows them to see your work ethic, reliability, and strengths firsthand. Over time, these relationships develop organically into mentorships, and the attorneys you work with may become some of your strongest advocates. Especially for women entering the profession, having those advocates in your corner can make an enormous difference.‍

As the legal profession continues to evolve, what advice would you give to students choosing a law school and thinking about which areas of law, career paths, or leadership opportunities they should pursue?

When choosing a law school, look beyond rankings and think carefully about where you will have the opportunity to thrive. Consider cost and financial aid, alumni networks, clinics, career support, and whether the school provides meaningful access to the fields that interest you. The best choice is ultimately the school that makes sense for your individual goals and circumstances.

Take a similarly open-minded approach to choosing a career path. Explore classes that expose you to areas of law outside your existing interests. Talk to lawyers in private practice, government, nonprofits, in-house roles, the judiciary, and less traditional legal careers. Pay attention not only to the substance of their work, but also to what their day-to-day lives look like.

Finally, as the legal profession continues to evolve, be proactive about creating leadership opportunities. Change creates space for new voices, new ideas, and new approaches. If there is an issue you care about, a project you think should exist, or a problem you believe you can help solve, step forward. Some of the most meaningful leadership experiences begin not with being selected for a position, but with seeing a need and taking the initiative to address it. Even as a student, you can play a role in shaping the future of our profession.