Meet Chanda Powell
Chanda Powell is a non-traditional student, mother of six, business owner, and paralegal. Having experienced first-hand how important the right legal advocacy and knowledge can be, she decided to change gears and pursue law school. Her hope is to become that advocate for others, particularly in family or criminal law settings, where a trauma-informed, compassionate, and knowledgeable advocate can be life-changing. She is looking forward to learning and growing as part of the Orange community.
We asked Chanda to share more about her journey and what she hopes to bring to the legal profession.
What is your hometown?
I am originally from North-Western Illinois, but transplanted to Greenfield, Indiana in 2014 and have remained here since.
What are your goals for your future in the field of law?
My goals in the field of law include adopting a trauma-informed approach to lawyering to best assist clients in the family and criminal law realms, particularly where they may intersect. I hope to bring education to other attorneys who may take a more technical approach with their clients so as to shed light on the importance of empathy and understanding, and using plain language in scenarios where clients feel confused and helpless and are entrusting their attorney with decisions that hold weight far beyond a courtroom.
How do you expect your background to shape the kind of lawyer you become?
My experience in a law firm, as well as in the hospitality industry, has shown me that good advocacy and understanding are more than just interpreting the plain text—it requires empathy, attention to detail, and an understanding beyond the surface level to truly understand the person behind a case or contract. I hope that background will help me become an attorney who is someone clients feel they can genuinely trust and feel good about representing them.