Challenging the myth that leadership requires age and experience, this article argues that young women can lead effectively now by taking action, embracing opportunities, and recognizing their unique value in leadership spaces.
Her Story
About Lisaann
My journey into law began in high school, where I was enrolled in a pre-law track and participated in mock trial and government courses. From an early age, I knew I wanted to pursue a legal career. As the first lawyer in both my immediate and extended family, becoming an attorney was more than a professional goal—it was a personal mission.
I went on to earn a degree in Criminal Justice Management with a minor in Philosophy because I wanted to better understand how I could serve my community and advocate for those in need of legal representation. I had seen firsthand the impact that a lack of access to quality legal representation can have—not only on individuals, but on their families and entire support systems.
Over the past decade, I have served in several roles within the legal profession, but being an attorney is by far the most rewarding. As a criminal defense attorney, I meet people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Whether they are facing incarceration, the loss of employment, or other life-altering consequences, I have the responsibility of protecting their rights, advocating for their liberty, and ensuring they are treated fairly within the justice system.
Beyond my legal practice, I am deeply committed to mentorship and community engagement. I serve as Chair of the Pre-Law Section of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, where I develop programs and mentor aspiring law students as they navigate the path to law school and the legal profession. I also serve as Vice Chair of the Criminal Law Section, where I help organize programming that fosters professional development, networking, and collaboration among attorneys.
This work is especially meaningful to me because I understand what it feels like to navigate this profession without having a lawyer in the family to turn to for guidance. Through mentorship and leadership, I strive to provide the support, resources, and encouragement that I once needed, while helping to create a more accessible and inclusive legal profession for future generations.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lisaann
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would start by saying my mom. My mom worked hard as a single parent, an immigrant coming to this country for a better life for her children. She was such a hard-working woman, and seeing how hard she poured into me and how much she wanted me to succeed, I can't claim my success without acknowledging her first. Beyond that, I attribute my success to everyone that poured into me, everyone that held the door open for me, everyone that gave me a resource when I needed it. I couldn't just call a family member who was a lawyer, but there are so many wonderful people I've met along the way, and I wouldn't have been able to be who I am or be as successful as I am without the people that poured into me. I also attribute it to my hard work and determination. I had this goal of becoming a lawyer for such a long time, and when I finally became one and walked into the courtroom for the first time and said 'I am the lawyer,' it was such a wow moment. All the tired nights, staying home and deciding to go to school full-time without working, that was such a sacrifice, and I just kept the faith that things would work out. I was able to finish in the top 25% of my class and show up in spaces that I didn't even see myself being. Being hardworking, being determined, but also being someone that was a sponge and willing to take in as much information as I can, I want to attribute that to me too. I am so thankful for all the people that helped me along the way, including all the judges that poured into me during internships and all my colleagues who answered those late night calls when I needed to vent. Success for me is all those things. It's not just me, it's the village. It definitely is the village.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is, "Bloom where you're planted."
Early in my career, I was always focused on the next goal—the next position, the next accomplishment, the next milestone. While ambition is important, I learned that some of the greatest opportunities come from fully investing in the role you're in right now.
That advice taught me to approach every opportunity with excellence, whether it was serving as a student leader in law school, mentoring aspiring attorneys, or representing clients as a public defender. By focusing on doing meaningful work where I am, I've found that new doors tend to open naturally.
It also reminded me that no experience is wasted. Every challenge, setback, and responsibility has helped shape the attorney, leader, and person I am today. Instead of constantly asking, "What's next?" I've learned to ask, "How can I make the greatest impact where I am right now?"
That mindset has allowed me to grow professionally while staying grounded in service, purpose, and gratitude.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say walk into every room and own it. Don't let the losses be losses, but let them be lessons. You don't have to wait until you feel ready. There are so many moments in life where I felt unqualified, uncertain, intimidated by the rooms that I was walking into, and if I had waited until I felt completely ready, I would have missed so many opportunities that helped shape my career. Confidence comes after the leap, not before the leap. So do the thing. The time is going to pass anyway. Just do the thing. Don't wait until you're ready. That moment may never come. You just have to do it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Being a woman in the legal profession is already a unique experience. Despite what many people assume, women remain underrepresented in law, and the numbers are even smaller for Black women. Black women make up less than 2% of attorneys nationwide, while Black attorneys overall account for less than 5% of the profession. As a first-generation college graduate and first-generation lawyer, simply entering this space has been both an accomplishment and a challenge.
Navigating the legal profession often means learning to move through spaces that were not necessarily designed with people who look like me in mind. It means understanding unspoken rules, overcoming cultural barriers, and constantly proving that I belong. At the same time, I feel a responsibility to hold the door open behind me, ensuring that others have access to opportunities and representation that were once difficult to find. Progress is not just about being the first; it's about making sure you are not the last.
Beyond issues of race and gender, the practice of law itself is demanding. As a criminal defense attorney, I meet people at some of the lowest and most difficult moments of their lives. My clients may be facing incarceration, the loss of employment, separation from their families, or consequences that could alter the course of their future. I am entrusted with protecting their rights, their liberty, and often their dignity.
That responsibility carries an emotional weight that people do not talk about nearly enough. The legal profession often expects attorneys to leave their emotions at the door and maintain a level of composure regardless of what they are experiencing personally or professionally. Yet lawyers are human. We absorb difficult stories, witness trauma, and carry the pressures of advocating for others while managing our own lives.
For women, particularly in a profession that has historically been male-dominated, there can be an additional layer of pressure. Strength is often mistaken for the absence of emotion. Showing vulnerability can sometimes be perceived as weakness rather than humanity. There is an expectation that you will show up every day with unwavering confidence, regardless of whether you are having a difficult day, facing personal challenges, or simply carrying the realities of being human.
The truth is that resilience is not the absence of emotion; it is the ability to continue showing up despite it. Some of the strongest women I know are not those who never struggle, but those who carry immense responsibility, lead with compassion, and continue to serve others even when the weight feels heavy.
That is what leadership looks like to me. It is not perfection. It is perseverance, authenticity, and the courage to keep showing up.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
For me, the values that matter most in both my work and personal life are integrity, service, growth, and authenticity.
Integrity is at the foundation of everything I do. Whether I'm advocating for a client, mentoring a student, or showing up for my family and friends, I believe in being honest, keeping my word, and doing the right thing even when it's difficult.
Service is another core value. As a criminal defense attorney, mentor, and community leader, I'm passionate about helping others navigate systems that can often feel overwhelming. I find purpose in using my knowledge and experiences to create opportunities, provide guidance, and empower others.
I also value continuous growth. As a first-generation lawyer, I've learned that success requires a willingness to learn, adapt, and remain open to new perspectives. I strive to challenge myself professionally while also growing personally as a wife, mentor, and leader.
Finally, authenticity is incredibly important to me. I believe people connect most when you show up as your genuine self. I've worked hard to build a life and career that reflect who I am—my values, my faith, my culture, and my commitment to making a meaningful impact.
At the end of the day, I want my work and my life to be aligned with those values so that the success I achieve is not only measurable, but meaningful.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Lisaann
Leading Before Thirty: Why Young Women Should Stop Waiting for Permission
Young women don't need to wait for permission or perfection to lead—they need to start now.
There is a persistent narrative that leadership comes with age.
We are told that leadership is something we grow into after years of experience, countless credentials, and decades spent climbing professional ladders. For women, that expectation is often even stronger. We are encouraged to gain more experience, build more confidence, and wait until we feel fully qualified before stepping into positions of influence.
But what if leadership isn't something we wait for?
What if leadership is something we practice long before we feel ready?
As a woman who has held leadership positions throughout my educational and professional journey, including roles in law school, bar associations, mentorship programs, and the legal profession, I have learned that leadership is not defined by age. It is defined by action.
Some of the most impactful opportunities I've experienced came before the age of thirty. I served as a student leader, organized professional development programs, mentored aspiring attorneys, spoke on panels, and helped create spaces where others could learn, grow, and connect. None of those opportunities arrived because I had reached a certain age. They arrived because I raised my hand, accepted responsibility, and was willing to contribute.
Yet many young women hesitate.
We hesitate because we believe someone else is more qualified. We hesitate because we worry about making mistakes. We hesitate because we think we need another degree, another certification, or another year of experience before our voices deserve to be heard.
The truth is that confidence rarely comes before action. More often, confidence is built through action.
Every leadership role I've accepted has taught me something I didn't know before. Every speaking engagement has challenged me to grow. Every mentorship opportunity has reminded me that expertise and impact are not the same thing. You do not need to know everything to help someone else—you simply need to be willing to share what you've learned.
Young Women Bring Unique Value to Leadership Spaces
We bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, cultural awareness, technological fluency, and a deep understanding of the challenges facing our generation. We see problems differently because we are experiencing them in real time. Whether in boardrooms, courtrooms, classrooms, nonprofit organizations, or community spaces, those perspectives matter.
Unfortunately, many leadership tables still lack representation from younger women. Decisions are often made about us without us. That is why it is critical for young women to seek opportunities to serve, lead, and participate early in their careers.
Leadership Is Not Reserved for CEOs, Elected Officials, or Executives
Leadership can look like organizing a community event. It can look like mentoring a student. It can look like volunteering for a committee, launching an initiative, advocating for others, or creating opportunities where none previously existed.
The most effective leaders are not always the most experienced people in the room. Often, they are the people most willing to serve.
To the young woman reading this who is wondering whether she is ready, my answer is simple: you probably are.
- You do not need permission to lead.
- You do not need decades of experience to make an impact.
- You do not need to have every answer before you begin.
Start where you are. Use what you have. Say yes to opportunities that challenge you. Raise your hand when leadership positions become available. Speak up when your perspective can add value. Most importantly, do not allow your age to become a limitation that exists only in your own mind.
The future of leadership is being shaped right now, and young women deserve a seat at that table.
Not someday.
Today.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.