June 17, 2024 – Justin Vineyard, a 2024 graduate from the University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) and president of its American Constitution Society (ACS) chapter, has been named an ACS Next Generation Leader. Each year, the ACS selects a small group of students from nearly 200 chapters nationwide for this program.
As a Next Generation Leader, Vineyard will gain access to exclusive career development resources and networking opportunities provided by ACS. Vineyard credits his success to the guidance and encouragement he received at UHLC.
“Kristan Withers' constant support was essential in preparing me to be an ACS Next Generation Leader,” said Vineyard adding, “There is no shortage of role models at UHLC, and they all continue to inspire me to pursue the issues I am passionate about.”
Vineyard's leadership at the UHLC chapter has been marked by efforts to connect legal discussions with real-world impacts, with events such as "Coffee, Tea, and Solidarity," which featured labor law experts and union members.
In a recent Q&A, Vineyard shared insights into the selection process for the ACS Next Generation Leader program, his experiences at UHLC and his aspirations for the future.
Justin Vineyard, a 2024 graduate from the University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) and president of its American Constitution Society (ACS) chapter
Can you explain the process of being selected as an ACS Next Generation Leader?
A lot of the process of being selected as an ACS Next Generation Leader is similar to applying for other awards or scholarships. It involves submitting an application, a letter of recommendation, a personal statement, and references. There are several things the ACS national office looks for in a Next Generation Leader, including being a dedicated member of the ACS national community, committing to remain engaged with ACS post-grad, serving as a leader of an ACS chapter, and demonstrating an understanding of ACS's core mission and values.
How has the UHLC prepared you to be an ACS Next Generation Leader?
Kristan Withers' constant support was essential in preparing me to be an ACS Next Generation Leader. The ACS UHLC Chapter would have never gotten off the ground and continued to grow without Kristan Withers being kind and helpful around the clock.
Additionally, many of the students and professors are not afraid to embody their values. Being able to see so many other people at UHLC unafraid to advocate for the things they care about gave me the confidence to do the same. There is no shortage of role models at UHLC, and they all continue to inspire me to pursue the issues I am passionate about.
What does being an ACS Next Generation Leader mean to you?
To me, being selected as a Next Generation Leader is a reflection of the people around me. The entire ACS UHLC board, UHLC students, faculty members, fellow student organizations, and my mentors at ACS were all critical of every action our chapter took over the last two years. Each event was a collaborative effort across our community, and I would have never had the opportunity to be a Next Generation Leader without the overwhelming support of that community during my time as president.
Who have been some of your favorite memories?
When I became president of the ACS UHLC Chapter, a goal of mine was to not only feature speakers on a wide range of legal topics but also highlight the experiences of people in our community who are directly impacted by those legal topics. I was able to realize that goal in our ACS Chapter's first Pilot Program event "Coffee, Tea, and Solidarity," where our Chapter hosted a panel with the Associate General Counsel of the Service Employees International Union alongside three members of Starbucks Workers United in Houston. It was great to hear about how the landscape of labor law has changed recently and then see how those changes directly impact the day-to-day lives of workers.
What are you most looking forward to during your time as an ACS Next Generation Leader?
I look forward to building upon the work that I have been doing in the UHLC chapter, but on a broader level and in a professional environment. As a Next Generation Leader, I will be spending more of my time working with the ACS national community and expanding my advocacy beyond the classroom.
I am perhaps most excited about being able to further my legal and advocacy skills in two ways. First, I will have the opportunity to be mentored by prior years' Next Generation Leaders and gain a stronger understanding of what it means to be a Next Generation Leader as I begin my professional career. Second, I am excited to work alongside my fellow 2024 Next Generation Leaders, a handful of whom I already know from my experience as a chapter leader.
How has your role as president of the ACS - UHLC Chapter prepared you for your legal education?
I think the most important way that my time as president prepared me for my legal education was by teaching me the importance of making connections and not being afraid to ask for help. Networking is not something that really comes naturally to me, so one of the most difficult parts of being president at first was having to invite speakers to our campus who I had no prior connection with. Of course, I never once received a negative response to a speaker invitation. Even when someone was unable to come speak, they almost always put me in touch with someone who would be able to. I quickly realized that most people, especially attorneys, want to help others and are happy to do so, but they won't know if you never ask.
What advice do you have for students who are striving to be an ACS Next Generation Leader?
For students striving to be Next Generation Leaders, my biggest piece of advice is to listen to the law school community. Lots of students do not always feel heard in law school, and I think those are the voices a leader should affirmatively seek out. What's loudest is not always what will be the most popular. Ask your classmates what types of events they wish the school had more of and do your best to bring those programs to campus.
What led you to pursue a legal education at UHLC?
My main goal when attending law school was to be able to serve my community. Growing up in the Houston area, there was no better choice than attending UHLC. UHLC has many opportunities for students to be involved in the community through its clinics, pro-bono events, and student organizations like ACS, of course.
What advice do you have for individuals considering attending law school?
My advice for individuals considering law school is to find people who have similar goals as you. There seems to be an assumption that everyone in law school has been aiming for Big Law their entire life, which can make the entire process seem daunting at first. In reality, that is far from the case, and law school offers many more diverse perspectives.
What is one valuable lesson you learned at UHLC?
One valuable lesson I learned at UHLC is to not compromise myself. I am sure I am not the only one who has heard that you will change once this or that happens to you in law school or that you should change to be more like an attorney. Certainly, change happens and is often a good thing. But do not water yourself down or change who you are just for the sake of change. Others, especially employers, notice when you are being your true and genuine self.
