Meet the JD class of 2028: Titus Cornell
Titus Cornell
CLASS OF 2028
Prior Education: University of Georgia '19 (Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Government); George Washington University '22 (Master of Arts, International Science and Technology Policy)
Hometown: Augusta, Georgia
Prior Work Experience: Worked for U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock for three years and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration within the U.S. Commerce Department for more than two years
I think I was always going to end up on the path to law school, but what really initiated it for me was working in government. For almost six years, I worked in the U.S. Senate and at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Every week, I worked with members’ staff on legislation, hearings, investigations, constituent issues, and other congressional business.
I often felt that a law degree would strengthen my understanding of the work I was doing, which included a wide range of efforts from closing the digital divide to expanding access to clean transportation and community infrastructure. I worked with a lot of brilliant attorneys, and I always admired their skills and expertise which they often attributed to their legal education. I wanted those skills and that expertise as well, and that’s one of the reasons I decided to pursue a law degree.
Why did you choose Duke Law School?
I chose Duke Law School for several reasons, with the school’s reputation and track record of training high-achieving and renowned attorneys being among the strongest. I looked at many law schools, but Duke’s culture and community resonated most with my background and seemed to possess the atmosphere I want and need to succeed in law school. I wanted my law school experience to be professional, collegiate, and fun, and Duke checked all of those boxes. I also knew where I wanted to be geographically after law school, and Duke seemed like the best law school to position me for strong opportunities in either location. Considering these factors, applying was a no-brainer, and I’m honored to have been accepted.
Are there student groups or other activities you’d like to get involved with?
I understand time will be limited, so I’ll have to prioritize, but I’d like to try to be involved with a few student groups, including the Black Law Students Association; OutLaw; and Older, Wiser Law Students. I’m sure there are other amazing groups that I could look into as well! I’m also interested in participating in clinics and journals, particularly the Criminal Defense Clinic or Community Enterprise Clinic, and the Duke Law and Technology Review.
How do you plan to use your law degree after graduation?
I’m still figuring that out, but I’m certain that I want to start at a law firm with robust government regulatory and criminal defense practices. I hope to engage in government-facing work while also being able to expand my criminal defense expertise. Those are two areas where I want to focus. However, I also would love to work on data privacy, cybersecurity, net neutrality, and other legal issues pertaining to communications technology.
What do you do to relax outside of work or class?
One of my favorite ways to relax is to grab a book from my long list of books that I own but haven’t yet read and lay by the pool. But if reading for fun isn’t working, I also love playing pick-up soccer and (highly unskilled) tennis with friends, classmates, and colleagues. I also enjoy cooking, traveling, and watching true crime movies/shows.
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