Mercer University School of Law student Briana John is developing her skills to become an effective advocate. John, from Sandy Springs and a member of the class of 2026, has always been inspired by the work lawyers do. This summer, she is working with The Home Depot’s in-house counsel as a summer associate, a position secured through the Association of Corporate Counsel’s Georgia Diversity Internship Program.
John entered college as an international studies major at Emory University with the goal of learning about the legal field. She held internships with national and international agencies during her undergraduate years, which allowed her to explore different forms of advocacy and deepen her understanding of social and political issues.
“These experiences not only strengthened my interest in pursuing a legal education but also showed me the essential role lawyers play — both in direct advocacy for individuals and in shaping how organizations function and fulfill their missions,” she said.
John worked remotely as an intern with Africa Unite, examining human rights issues affecting vulnerable communities in South Africa. She also served as a major gifts intern with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières Canada in fall 2021. In summer 2022, she interned with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's human trafficking investigation division at its Atlanta office. Last summer, she worked with an administrative judge at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
By the end of her undergraduate studies, John knew that legal education would provide tools to understand important issues better and develop skills to be an effective advocate. One of John's first legal experiences was working as a legal assistant at Marci R. Rosenberg PC in Dunwoody before entering Mercer Law School.
In her second year at law school, John held an externship from September 2024 to April 2025 at Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation as a legal intern with their Safe and Stable Homes Project.
While undecided on a specific area of law to pursue, John is drawn to work that challenges her to keep learning and improve her advocacy skills. “I pursued this opportunity at The Home Depot because I wanted to explore whether this type of legal work is something I could see myself doing long term,” she said.
John is active in both the Association of Women Law Students and the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA). She described belonging to APALSA as particularly meaningful: “The Asian Pacific American Law Student Association has provided me with a strong sense of support and belonging.”
In her spare time, John enjoys yoga and spending time with family and friends.