Why Pre-Law Students Need Mentors (and Practicing Lawyers Too!) featuring Anjie Vichayanonda

Anjie Vichayanonda explains her experiences as a first generation law student and the importance of leveraging your professional network to benefit pre-law students. 

In this episode, Anjie Vichayanonda, a University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law graduate, explains why she created a mentoring program and app for pre-law students.

Why Pre-Law Students Need Mentors (and Practicing Lawyers Too!) featuring Anjie Vichayanonda

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Why Pre-Law Students Need Mentors (and Practicing Lawyers Too!) featuring Anjie VichayanondaWhy Pre-Law Students Need Mentors (and Practicing Lawyers Too!) featuring Anjie Vichayanonda

About This Episode

Anjie Vichayanonda is a first generation lawyer who sought out lawyers to gain a better understanding of law school.  Anjie was connected with a wonderful mentor and followed her dreams to becoming a lawyer.  However, Anjie wants to make it easier for others to learn about law school and find mentors.  

Anjie created Leg Up Legal, which is a virtual mentorship platform to connect pre-law students to lawyers.  Schools may join Leg Up Legal to provide their services to students or individuals may use the Leg Up Legal app to be connected with lawyers and learn more before committing to law school.  Anjie also created a podcast, Leg Up Legal Podcast.

Anjie is a contributing author to the book, “Networked”, where a group of 20 women lawyers explained how their businesses or practices changed in 2020 while living during a pandemic. You may purchase “Networked” on Amazon and at tinyurl.com/networked.

Anjie Vichayanonda is licensed in the District of Columbia and has an inactive license in Virginia.  You may connect with Anjie on Instagram @leguplegal, Twitter @Leg_Up_Legal, on Facebook “leguplegal” and on LinkedIn.

Follow the You Are A Lawyer podcast on Twitter @YouAreA_Lawyer, Instagram @youarealawyer and on LinkedIn.  Follow the podcast host, Kyla Denanyoh, on Instagram @mrsdenanyoh.  Kyla Denanyoh is a 2015 graduate of Southern University Law Center (SULC) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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