Shaped by History, Driven by Service: Joshua Brown ’28 at William & Mary Law

For Joshua Brown, the path to William & Mary Law School began in his hometown of Apopka, Florida. Just south of Apopka lies the town of Ocoee, a community with a complex and painful history of race relations. While exploring this history, Joshua came across the work of a William & Mary Law alum who had written a journal article on the Ocoee Massacre. That research not only deepened his understanding of justice but also sparked the inspiration to pursue a legal career. It was the moment William & Mary Law came into focus.

Community service has always been a cornerstone of Joshua’s life. His outreach work in central Florida mirrors William & Mary’s guiding ethos of the citizen lawyer,  a lawyer who uses their training to serve both clients and communities. That shared value made the law school feel like a natural fit.

Since arriving in Williamsburg, Joshua has found William & Mary to be an exceptionally welcoming and supportive place. From the admissions team to faculty and peers, every interaction has reinforced a sense of belonging. Drawn initially by the school’s small class size, he has been impressed to find that the experience here goes beyond expectations, even compared to other small institutions he has attended.

Before law school, Joshua earned an M.A. in philosophy and spent several years as a philosophy professor. Transitioning from a career in academia to the demands of law school was no small leap, but William & Mary provided the right environment for growth. Despite being a little older than the average student, he feels challenged in the best possible way—both intellectually by professors and collaboratively by classmates.

Reflecting on his journey so far, Joshua sees William & Mary Law not just as a place to study law, but as a community that values history, service, and personal growth. It’s a place where he feels inspired, supported, and ready to build a meaningful legal career.