March 28, 2025

Derrian Annan: Finding Her Voice, Fighting for Justice

Derrian Annan didn’t come to law school just to learn the law—she came to use it. From the moment she stepped into Southwestern’s SCALE program, she knew she was signing up for a unique experience. But that’s exactly what she wanted.

“I chose SCALE because I wanted to challenge myself,” she says. “The [2-year program] forces me to stay sharp, adapt quickly, and develop strong time management skills—all things that are essential in the legal field.”

She didn’t want to just sit in a classroom and take notes—she wanted to be in the thick of it, learning by doing. With SCALE’s hands-on experience, Derrian is able to think on her feet, sharpen her arguments, and build the kind of resilience she’ll need in the courtroom. From LAWS oral arguments to evidence labs and civil litigation night court, Derrian has been in the courtroom, shaping her voice as an advocate.

“SCALE has helped me grow in ways I never expected, and it’s made me even more excited for my future career in criminal defense—and eventually, as a judge.”

Balancing law school isn’t easy, but Derrian has found her rhythm. “Consistency is key,” she says. “I don’t wait until exams to start studying. I break things down week by week, so I actually understand the material instead of just memorizing it.”

But beyond discipline and time management, she’s learned the power of relationships. She and her friends in the program talk through cases and legal concepts together to make sure they fully comprehend the concepts. There are no gaps in their understanding of the law.
“Having that kind of support system makes a huge difference,” she shares.

Beyond her peers, Derrian is intentional about building relationships with professors and administrators. The knowledge and life experience they have gathered over the years have been invaluable to students, and for Derrian, these connections have become a crucial part of her journey. Because of this, she feels like she is part of a true legal community—one that is invested in her growth and wants her to succeed.

Even before law school, Derrian had a vision for her future: she wanted to be a judge. But it wasn’t until SCALE that she truly understood how she would get there. From the start, she was drawn to public interest and criminal law, but being part of SCALE solidified her decision. The program’s emphasis on practical learning has given her a firsthand look at what it takes to be a strong advocate.

In the courtroom, she hopes to be a voice for those who are often unheard. “Bias in the justice system is real. I want to be the kind of lawyer who challenges it head-on—someone who fights for fairness, no matter the odds.”

When Derrian thinks about the kind of lawyer—and future judge—she wants to be, she looks to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

“She’s not just the first Black woman on the Supreme Court—she’s the first justice with a background as a public defender,” Derrian says. “That matters. She’s seen firsthand how the system treats people without money, privilege, or power.”

But what impacted Derrian most wasn’t just Justice Jackson’s rulings—it was how she carried herself during her confirmation hearings.

“She was questioned in ways that felt dismissive and, at times, outright disrespectful,” Derrian says. “As a Black woman, that’s an experience I understand. But she handled it with intelligence, poise, and an unshakable confidence in her abilities.”

That’s the kind of strength Derrian wants to bring into every courtroom—whether she’s defending a client or, one day, sitting on the bench.

In five years, Derrian sees herself in the courtroom, fighting for people who might not otherwise have strong representation. “I want to be a criminal defense attorney, making sure my clients’ rights are protected.”

But beyond that, she wants to give back—to mentor Black law students, to help others find their path, to make the legal system more equitable.

Her long-term goal is still the same: becoming a judge. “But no matter where I am in my career, my mission is clear: to fight for fairness and justice, both inside and outside the courtroom.”

And if her journey so far is any indication, she’s just getting started.