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His dedication to the highest ethical standards and moral principles won him the admiration of many of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the United States Congress. In the spring of 2020, in Celebration of the 55th Anniversary of this life-altering event, LSA began a national search for the first John Lewis Fellows, resulting in 6 law students from across the country committed to providing free legal assistance to individuals in underserved and underrepresented communities to ensure equal access to justice for all citizens in Alabama.
The initial goal of the proposal was to provide legal services to the Blackbelt and the Wiregrass citizens. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the myriad of legal issues surrounding the virus, along with the increasing justice gap issues across the country, we opted to use COVID-19 funding to combat these issues. The first year of fellows provided services and support throughout the entire state.
The goal of the John Lewis Legal Services Fellowship Program remains to train recent law graduates who have an interest in rural economic justice for a career in public interest lawyering to provide social, economic and legal change, while working on legal issues that improve the quality of life for low-income individuals.
In addition to training, we also provide the fellows a glimpse into the life and work of Congressman Lewis through a speaker series and tours that travel in the Congressman’s footsteps in Alabama.
As the country continues to mourn this giant of a man, we are humbled to honor his legacy and work through the LSA John Lewis Legal Services Fellowship Program.
Andre Cooley serves in LSA’s Selma office, with support from Alabama Power. Originally from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Andre earned his B.A. in Administration of Justice from the University of Southern Mississippi and his J.D. from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. He has held legal internships with the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law, the U.S. Senate, and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. A dedicated mentor and motivational speaker, Andre has worked extensively to shape policy for youth in foster care and Independent Living placements. His community service includes board leadership with Rise Above for Youth and volunteer work with United Way, eviction diversion, veterans’ court, and expungement clinics.
"I am passionate about providing legal aid to low-income people from my time in foster care and work in public service. I have been blessed to do some extraordinary things. After aging out of foster care I have always wanted to give back through service and I wanted to provide the greatest impact through service to people in-need. In the face of adversity John Lewis remained steadfast in his dedication to the people’s work. His legacy is something we could all learn from and model to make this world a better place."
Originally from California, Marina Johnston completed her legal education at the Georgia State College of Law. Her legal career has included Student Attorney at GSU College of Law; Immigration Clinic; Legal Intern, at the Atlanta Legal Aid Society; and, Legal Intern at the ACLU of Georgia. Johnston brings to this fellowship her passion for public interest lawyering and commitment to justice for all. Her goal is to help level the playing field by ensuring underserved communities receive the legal support they need and deserve.
"John Lewis dedicated his life to fighting for justice, equity, and accessibility—values that have shaped my own career. I have always worked for nonprofits, many of which serve low-income communities, ensuring they have access to basic needs and legal aid. Following in his legacy, I want to continue advocating for marginalized communities and making meaningful change through public interest law"
Based in LSA’s Mobile office, Tamonica Jones brings a strong background in law, public service, and project management. A Mobile native, she holds an MBA with a concentration in Project Management from Spring Hill College, as well as a J.D. from Florida A&M University College of Law. Her legal experience includes roles as a paralegal for the City of Mobile, claims administrator and corporate paralegal, and fellowships with both the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) and the Florida NAACP. She has also served as a judicial intern for the Circuit Court. Active in her community, Tamonica volunteers with NAMI Mobile and holds leadership positions in the ABA Young Lawyers Division.
"Working in the legacy of John Lewis is important to me because I believe the law should not just be a tool of regulation—it should be a force for redemption, dignity, and change. Congressman Lewis didn’t just make “good trouble”; he embodied what it meant to stand for justice, even when the cost was high. I carry a deep responsibility to use my voice and legal training to serve those who have been historically silenced. His legacy pushes me to view my legal work not just as a career, but as a calling."
Asia Michael joins LSA’s Huntsville office after earning her J.D. from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. During law school, she served as Associate Editor for the Law Journal for Gender, Race & Justice—with her note selected for publication—and was active as Class Secretary and Student Ambassador. Her legal experience includes research assistance on oil and gas and business associations issues, family law clerkship work, EPA compliance drafting and settlement negotiations, and public health policy research. Asia has also contributed to her community through volunteering with the Houston Food Bank, KIPP Academy, and the Earl Carl Institute, where she worked on property preservation and innocence project matters.
"I know what it means to grow up navigating systems that weren’t designed with you in mind. My own experiences and those of people I love have shown me that access to justice shouldn’t depend on your income. Providing legal aid to low-income individuals is about restoring dignity and leveling the playing field. It’s not just about handling a case but also about being the person who helps someone feel seen, heard, and empowered at a time when they may feel overlooked or powerless. That’s the kind of lawyer I aspire to be every day."
Christopher Weems serves in LSA’s Tuscaloosa office, with support from Blue Cross Blue Shield. Prior to law school, Christopher earned his B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Business Insurance from Mississippi State University at the age of 19. His legal experience includes internships with North Mississippi Rural Legal Services and the Office of the Attorney General in Indianapolis, as well as work in the Child Advocacy Clinical Program assisting guardians ad litem. While in law school, he served as Fundraising Co-Chair for the Black Law Students Association and Vice President of the Family Law Society, in addition to volunteering with family law externships and student admissions efforts.
"Working in the legacy of John Lewis is both a profound honor and a serious responsibility, one that must never be taken lightly. To follow in his footsteps is to recognize the immense contributions, impact, and enduring legacy that John Lewis created. It also means understanding that the work he began is far from finished. Ensuring access to legal support for underserved communities is not just a professional goal, it is a personal mission."
