William & Mary Law School Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With Annual Speaker Series
On Wednesday, January 29, William & Mary Law School hosted Judge Dominique Callins ’05 as featured speaker for this year’s celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. The event was sponsored by the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) and the Office of Student Affairs.
During her talk, Judge Callins told students that Dr. King’s legacy should continue to inspire them and remind them that the fight for justice is ongoing.
“It is a call to action, especially in the legal field, to use the law as a tool for positive change,” Callins said. “King’s belief that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice, should resonate in every courtroom, every legislative body and in every act of advocacy for the rights of the minority and the oppressed.”
Callins noted that King’s impact on the legal field is “immeasurable,” and that “his principles of equality, nonviolence, and justice are woven into the fabric of our legal system and continue to guide and challenge us to build a more just and equitable society.”
Callins has served as a judge of the Virginia Court of Appeals since November 1, 2021. Prior to that, she was a family law attorney in Northern Virginia for 14 years. She previously clerked for the Henrico County Circuit Court and later for the Honorable James W. Benton (Ret.) of the Court of Appeals of Virginia.
She received a B.A. from Florida A&M University, taught middle school and then earned her J.D. from William & Mary. She is a member of the Virginia State Bar.
BLSA President Jayda Peets ’26 introduced the event and presented Callins with a Lifetime Achievement Award from BLSA. Following Judge Callins’ presentation, BLSA Vice President Venus Amadi ’26 made remarks before introducing a video chronicling Dr. King’s life and legacy.