by Catherine Deyarmond
When Daeja Hall crosses the stage this Saturday, May 17, to accept her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the St. Mary’s University School of Law, she will carry with her knowledge learned in law classes and life lessons from her mother and grandparents.
Hall, a Houston native, said she was raised by a single mother who worked hard and sacrificed to put her and two siblings through Catholic school. While raising her children, her mother earned her bachelor’s degree.
“I attended Catholic school from fourth through 12th grade,” she said. “I have grown to appreciate my education, especially its focus on social justice and finding your calling in the world.”
“It’s rare that you find a servant leader who is as dedicated as she is to creating a nurturing community while focusing on developing a solid foundation for a sustainable future, but that’s exactly who Daeja is.”
— Alyssa Leffall, J.D., Assistant Dean for Law Student Affairs
Her path led her to St. Mary’s Law, where she became involved in several organizations, including the Hattie Ruth Briscoe Legal Society chapter of the Black Law Students Association. She earned multiple awards along the way. Her list of accolades will be topped off with the prestigious President’s Award, to be bestowed this Friday to students demonstrating academic excellence and transformative leadership in keeping with Catholic and Marianist traditions.
‘Be a blessing’
Hall said her paternal grandmother inspired her to attend law school, adding, “My grandmother always said, ‘We are blessed to be a blessing.’ I carry that lesson with me.”
Her paternal grandmother, who died in 2020, earned a bachelor’s degree in History and enjoyed a long career as a legal assistant in Houston.
“When I was 6 years old, my paternal grandmother took me inside a voting booth with her,” Hall said. “She explained the importance of participating in the political and legal process. I learned about my duties and rights as a citizen.”
“She wanted me and all of her grandkids to understand how far we have come — her parents didn’t have formal schooling,” she added. “I was her first grandchild to graduate from college and the only one to attend law school.”
Hall said her maternal grandmother helped her when she was struggling in class, especially in elementary school.
“She worked with me after school to do better,” Hall said. “My entire family wanted me to succeed. I was fortunate to have a family willing to sacrifice time and money to propel me to where I am today. It couldn’t have happened without their support.”
After high school, Hall earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A study abroad experience in France allowed her the opportunity to study political science as the only American in the class.
“It was a powerful experience for me,” she said. “I don’t think greatness is found in your comfort zone.”
Teaching outside the comfort zone
Hall graduated from college in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and although she wanted to be an attorney since the age of 12, she decided she wasn’t ready for law school. She was moved when she heard about the need for teachers in the socioeconomically disadvantaged communities in Baton Rouge.
Hall taught fourth-grade English and social studies in a Title I public school for two years as part of Teach for America.
“Teaching took me out of my comfort zone. I like to be good at things the first time I do them, and teaching took some work. It was an adjustment working in a professional environment,” said Hall, who had worked as a waitress, bartender and barista in college. “I enjoyed teaching, but my heart wasn’t in it.”
“Although it was a steep learning curve, it prepared me for law school,” she said. “Honestly, if you can teach up to 30 10-year-olds who are calling your name every five minutes, I firmly believe you can do anything.”
During that time, Hall was a non-voting board member for the South Region of Teach for America.
“As a board member, I could advocate for the needs of teachers and students in our region. I saw that many of the board members don’t work in education but are concerned about ensuring kids have access to education,” she said. “I was able to share the struggles faced in the classroom. It was an awesome experience and a good introduction to advocacy for me.”
Hall said that as the oldest grandchild on her mother’s side and the oldest sibling, she was used to advocating for others in her family.
“As I got older, I learned more about law and how it impacts every area of your life,” she said. “There is not one thing you can think of that doesn’t have law or regulation surrounding it. That is very powerful.”
Growing in law school
Hall said when she started law school at St. Mary’s, she knew she was exactly where she was supposed to be.
“I don’t think I will ever get tired of being a lawyer, especially because you are constantly learning and growing,” she said.
During her time at St. Mary’s Law, Hall excelled academically while being active as a student leader, a journal editor and a research assistant on campus.
“I don’t think I will ever get tired of being a lawyer, especially because you are constantly learning and growing.”
— Daeja Hall, J.D. Class of 2025
She served as president of the the Hattie Ruth Briscoe Legal Society chapter of the Black Law Students Association, associate editor of The Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review on Race and Social Justice, research assistant to Sigrid Vendrell-Polanco, J.D., Visiting Assistant Professor of Law, and as a law clerk with Gonzalez Chiscano Angulo & Kasson, PC.
Hall’s hard work is acknowledged formally as the recipient of a 2025 Presidential Award and the student honoree for the 2025 Alice Wright Franzke Feminist Award, both honors from St. Mary’s University, and the 2024 Law Student Award from the San Antonio Black Lawyers Association.
After graduating on May 17, she eventually wants to enter civil rights litigation.
“I’m hoping I can graduate and get experience in other roles that will lend themselves to civil rights litigation,” she said. “I would like to build my résumé for five to eight years and then join a reputable civil rights firm.”
Alyssa Leffall, J.D., Assistant Dean for Law Student Affairs, said Hall has been a pleasure to work with during her time at St. Mary’s Law.
“It’s rare that you find a servant leader who is as dedicated as she is to creating a nurturing community while focusing on developing a solid foundation for a sustainable future, but that’s exactly who Daeja is,” Leffall said. “I’m excited to see all that she will accomplish during her career and in service of others.”
