26-Year-Old Attorney Aims to Advocate for Inmates
“I Am African & I Can” is a women’s empowerment blog highlighting stories of Black women’s struggles and successes.
By Hadiatou Wann | 03/04/22
Shayla Lyles was born in Lexington, Kentucky. While growing up, being one of the few Blacks in the classroom was not uncommon for her. She was enrolled in a Spanish Immersion program, where half of her classes were in Spanish and the other in English. Although she was shy and quiet, from Pre-K to the 12th grade, she experienced some discrimination, which led to her parents calling the school at least once every year to address the issue.
“The law is the foundation of everything in America,” Shayla expressed. With the hopes of advocating for Black people, Shayla noted that for generations Black people’s sentiments had been ignored and one of the ways to dismantle Systemic Racism is by being involved in law. She undoubtedly believed that learning the law and making her voice heard will aid her people in the long run.
While in college, she majored in Pan African Studies at the University of Louisville, taking up a few Civil Rights classes that sparked her interest in law. After completing her bachelor’s with a 3.7 GPA, she intentionally applied to only one law school.
Why did she risk applying to only one law school when there were many options? Shayla affirmed that she limited her choice because she Knew she only wanted to pursue her law degree in a big city, an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), and a place with warm weather. Once she zeroed in on the school of her choice, in Houston, Texas, she did not feel the need to apply elsewhere because she was confident in getting accepted. And she did get accepted.
“Law takes over your life,” Shayla said. Her days were occupied to the point where sometimes she had to decide whether to eat or shower. While studying law full-time, she also held a part-time job as a law clerk, doing everything a lawyer was too busy to do (i.e., drafting, discovery motions). And despite being a full-time, breastfeeding stay-at-home mom during her last semester, Shayla graduated #2 in her class.
Now, at only 26 years old, she is a Real Estate Agent, Attorney, and Certified Mediator. “Mediators help people settle disputes without going to court. They help reach a conclusion that makes both parties happy.” Shayla explained.
The 26-year-old Kentuckian has prior experience as a Hearings Officer in unemployment law, where she had the final say regarding appeals. Recently, she took a job offer as Chief Legal Officer, where once she begins, she will oversee every predicament that arises (i.e., general disputes, contract disputes, and more).
One misconception, Shayla says, that people have about lawyers is that they know everything pertaining to Law. This gives them the impression that they can walk up to any lawyer and ask any law-related question. “Like I’m supposed to go through files in my head and give an answer,” she joked.
However, that is far from reality. She added that most lawyers specialize. When a person pauses a question outside of their specialty, they must research first.
Throughout her life, Shayla had at least one loved one who was incarcerated, and has seen how spending time in prison can change a person. This is one of the reasons why she aims to dedicate part of her life to advocating for children, inmates/felons.
“I want to reach out to the hood, put some love there and provide resources,” Shayla expressed. During her teenage years, she spent most of her free time hanging in the hood. Even as a child, Shayla knew that some of the people who are alienated and labeled as undesirable in society still deserve love and respect. The hood, she said, taught her things about life and herself that she could not have learned in school.
Shayla has entered the world of attorneys, where she is expected to be always poise; speak, walk, and eat differently from others. But this young, vibrant, and outspoken attorney says that she just wants to be herself.
“I can’t let go of the gangster part of me,” she teased, clarifying that a gangster is unafraid to speak their mind.
Looking out for Black people has always been at the back of Shayla’s mind, but she believes that if Black people, who are victims in many cases, are empowered, it could be a ripple effect to where other races will also be empowered.
Carrington Sanford, Shayla’s friend since middle school, says, “I believe we met in English class. Shayla is someone I often look up to. She’s a wonderful friend, mother, and more. She’s a person who’s self-driven and self-motivated to accomplish any goal she puts her mind to. Since young adult age, she’s had dreams of becoming an influencer of justice. She would spend her Sundays watching Lifetime shows and the show Law & Order, which helped her understand some people aren’t given fair and equal justice.”
“She has strived to be in a space where she can defend those people. Today, she is proudly Attorney Lyles. She’s not just any lawyer, but a lawyer who worked her butt off while pregnant during a pandemic, in law school, and was top 2 in her class. I’d LOVE to have someone with that will power support me any day! Shayla is everything she said she is and everything she will become,” Carrington added.
A proponent of spreading love, knowledge, and power, Shayla has shown us the importance of knowing where we come from and staying true to who we are no matter who is around, all the while lending a hand to those that are undervalued in society. As a devoted attorney, she aims to advocate for the liberation and empowerment of Black people across the world, but first beginning in America.
Inside the Life of An Attorney
Connect with Shayla:
Email: Attorneyshaylalyles@gmail.com
LinkedIn: Shayla Lyles
Read other success stories here: www.iamafricanandican.com/blog
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