This may be Booker Johnson’s first semester at Columbia Law School, but he’s already jumped right into the action, both on campus and beyond. Look for him representing his class at several law school societies or browsing the vinyl racks at shops in the East Village.

When will you graduate from the Law School, and will you specialize in any area for your law degree?

I’m on track to graduate in May 2028. I’m not pursuing a formal specialization, but my current focus is on transactional/corporate work. I’m really drawn to the deal side of the law, especially where it intersects with the creative economy—think: fashion, entertainment, and media.

What was your path to pursuing graduate work at Columbia?

My path was very hands-on. I spent two years as a paralegal at McGuireWoods LLP, working in their Antitrust and Trade Regulation litigation group. I got a front-row seat to how high-stakes corporate deals are built, and, sometimes, how they fall apart. It was fascinating work, and it made me realize I wanted to be on the other side of the process, not just handling the dispute, but proactively structuring the deal from the beginning. Columbia was the clear choice to make that pivot.

How is your first semester going?  Any classes you find particularly inspiring?

It’s definitely intense, but also incredibly stimulating. The workload is no joke, but the community here is so collaborative that it makes it all manageable. I’m enjoying my contracts class now. It feels like the bedrock of everything I’m interested in, the architecture for every business deal, every entertainment contract, every big idea. Getting to see how those frameworks are built is exactly what I came to Columbia to do.

Will you continue your active extracurricular work at Columbia?

Before Columbia, I had a mix of legal and leadership roles. In addition to being a paralegal at McGuireWoods, I had a summer internship in Capital One’s legal department, both of which gave me a great real-world view of the law. I was also very involved in student governance at my undergrad school, the University of Virginia, through its student council and a few of the university’s affinity groups.

I’m definitely continuing that work here! I was honored to be selected as a first-year law school representative for both the Black Law Students Association and the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Society, so I’m already busy helping plan events and serving as a voice for my class.

How do you like studying in the city so far? What are your favorite urban pastimes?

I love it! It’s one of the main reasons I chose Columbia. The city feels like an extension of the classroom, especially for my interests. I’m an active member of the new Columbia Fashion Law Society, and we recently had an event on the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s rooftop. Going from discussing legal theory in the morning to being at the Met surrounded by art and fashion in the evening is an experience you can only get here. Outside of school, I’m a huge vinyl collector, so I spend a lot of my (very limited) free time hunting for records in the East Village and around the city.

Any specific recommendations for things to do beyond campus?

It’s a classic, but wandering through bookstores—the Strand or Rizzoli’s—is one of my favorite ways to decompress. I’m also becoming an avid coffee drinker, and a friend of mine recently introduced me to Double Dutch Espresso in Harlem, which I’ve already visited three times in one month.

What is the most special thing so far about studying at Columbia?

The people, 100%. I came here expecting everyone to be brilliant, and they are. But I was blown away by how collaborative and supportive everyone is. My classmates are my first-year rep constituents, my study partners, and my friends. There’s a real we’re-all-in-this-together feeling that I’ve found both in and outside my specific section, and the second-year and third-year law students are quick to lend their time, even when I just want advice on what to do next. That sense of community makes all the hard work feel not just manageable, but meaningful.

What are your plans post-graduation?

The plan is to stay in New York City and build a career in corporate or transactional practice. My long-term goal is to be a strategic advisor with brand-driven companies in the media, fashion, and entertainment spaces, helping them navigate the mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, and governance issues that drive their industries.

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