Jennifer McCall proves that no hurdle is just too excessive to make your goals come true

Georgia State College of Law graduate Jennifer McCall (JD ’13) didn’t take the most traditional path to becoming a successful family law attorney, but the challenges she faced along the way only helped to shape the lawyer she has become.

The first hurdle came in high school when McCall had their first child. The change meant she was missing out on traditional high school and college experiences and the judgment of others, but a strong support network helped her through.

“I was really fortunate to have been surrounded by a loving community of family, friends, and my friends’ parents,” she said. “You all supported my child and me. My eldest daughter is in my high school yearbook more often than any of my classmates. She came to events and was loved by all of my classmates. “

McCall attended North Georgia College and State University, where she studied English and met her future husband, Josh.

Jennifer (JD ’13) and Josh (JD ’22)

After graduating, she still had a lifelong desire to be a lawyer, but she took a job in banking to support herself and overcome her reliance on her parents’ help.

In 2008, McCall faced another hurdle when the market collapsed and she was laid off. She started looking for other jobs when Josh encouraged her to look back into an old dream.

“I told him I wish he had known me when I was in high school that I was smart and ambitious,” she said. “He told me I was still smart and there was no reason not to be ambitious because he would support me. I was still unsure. He bought me an LSAT study book and told me to just take the test, he knew that I would do well. “

McCall did well and enrolled in Georgia State College of Law on the part-time program.

Meanwhile, Josh, who taught full-time Latin at the Riverside Military Academy, also took part-time jobs as a pizza delivery man and in retail.

“I asked if he would be embarrassed if a student saw him,” said McCall. “And he said there was no shame in supporting his wife’s dreams.” (She had the opportunity to reciprocate that support now that he is also a student at the College of Law.)

With the support of her family behind her, she took every opportunity. She has served on the Moot Court, Public Interest Law Association, Asian American Law Students Association, Association of Women Lawyers, Christian Legal Society, Class Gift Campaign Committee, and Phi Alpha Delta.

For her senior year in law school, she was president of the Student Bar Association, was named Georgia State’s Outstanding Law Student of the Year by the National Association of Women Lawyers, and her classmates voted her Miss GSU Law.

She eventually graduated with honors and delivered the commencement address with guest speaker, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.

“I’ve always believed that anything worth doing is worth doing well,” she said. “When I want to do something, I want the most comprehensive experience available to me. I am also always grateful for new experiences and for the connections they offer me. “

Jennifer McCall and her family.

After college, McCall worked in a small general practice practice. She realized that she was most helpful in family law cases, but after going through a divorce herself, she never wanted to practice in this area. However, she couldn’t ignore the calling.

“There’s nothing so bad in your life that God can’t use it for good,” she said. “I was able to use my personal painful experience to help others.”

The call for more became even louder when her law firm decided to withdraw from representing a client who even offered to mop the floors for further legal services. The situation suggested to McCall that if she handled cases in her own way, she could succeed.

Now McCall is busy running her own company while balancing time with Josh, her three children, and three dogs. In addition, she volunteers in numerous non-profit organizations as well as in the local Vietnamese community and is involved in the family and youth work of her church. She is also a board member of Family Promise, WomenSource, Hall County Family Connection Network, and Phi Alpha Delta Alumni.

“I grew up very poor,” said McCall. “When I was born, we lived in government apartments. I’ve had a lot of people on my way to help me get to where I am. I think it’s important that I do the same for others. My earliest memories of my father are that he volunteered in the community. I’ve always known how important it is to give something back. “

Written by Alex Resnak