Grace V. Aprahamian, a third-year student at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS), has found her law school experience to be transformative, shaped by mentorship and a sense of purpose. Initially viewing law as a practical career path, Aprahamian said her time at AJMLS has changed her perspective.
“I pursued a law degree simply because I thought it was the best thing for me to do at the time,” Aprahamian said. “I came into AJMLS as a clean slate and have been shaped by it more than anything else in my life. John Marshall has allowed me to realize my purpose as a lawyer and given me an understanding of my community and how best I can serve people. I now know how powerful this profession can be and how much we can influence change in our communities and the world.”
Aprahamian credits her involvement with the Criminal and Civil Justice Institute (CCJI) as among her most significant experiences. She noted that Professor Jonathan Rapping played an important role in shaping her approach to advocacy: “Professor Rapping showed me what a great, service-oriented lawyer looks like,” she said. “Through him, I met and began working with Sam Starks and the CCJI, where I’ve learned how passion for lawyering can translate into great work and service to clients.”
In addition to academic work, Aprahamian has worked as an Executive Assistant and Law Clerk at the Starks Law Firm, gaining experience in litigation support and legal document drafting. Before entering law school, she held leadership roles at Insight Global, LLC in proposal writing and contracts management.
On campus, Aprahamian serves as President of the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL) Student Chapter for 2025–2026 after previously serving as Social Media Manager.
When asked about her sources of inspiration, Aprahamian pointed to her family: “My family has really been my biggest inspiration,” she said. “They’ve supported me through the challenges of law school and shown me how much strength comes from standing by one another.”
Aprahamian’s journey reflects ongoing growth influenced by professors, peers, and family support.