Rising and Growing Through Support

For David Roper ’19, the journey from law student to legal practitioner was filled with opportunities for learning and growth. As he continues to develop and thrive in his own career, Roper makes intentional efforts to empower and uplift other young lawyers in the field. His achievements are a testament to his hard work and dedication to the pursuit of justice.

A well-rounded legal education

Law school was something Roper had always considered. After completing his undergraduate degree, Roper spent three years working in the Ohio Senate as an aide. During his time there, he frequently interacted with lawyers.

“I quickly realized that I wanted to have those skills,” he remembers “Connecting with those lawyers and watching them work reignited my desire to get back to law school.”

He only applied to Ohio State, certain it was where he wanted to attend. Roper wanted to continue the Buckeye legacy in his family, too – both his father and brother attended the College of Medicine.

Roper describes his law school experience as well-rounded, full of opportunities to develop both personally and professionally. In addition to his classes, Roper developed his lawyering skills further with an externship at the Capital Habeas Unit for the Southern District of Ohio. The relationships he formed with professors, classmates, and the broader Moritz community were profound. Hearing from alumni who had similar experiences helped him see the bigger picture.

“Their guidance really sustained me when studying was hard or I wasn't sure if I could do it,” Roper said.

“People have been involved in my growth and development, and that's really made the difference – just that interpersonal element of talking through legal issues or complex problems is really helpful.”

One of his most impactful experiences was serving as editor-in-chief of the Ohio State Law Journal (OSLJ), the College’s oldest law journal. As the first Black editor-in-chief of OSLJ, he worked to make the journal an atmosphere where everyone felt welcomed and heard. Roper’s responsibilities gave him hands-on experience with legal scholarship and management. He was recognized for his efforts with the 2019 Distinguished Diversity Enhancement Award, given to only five recipients across the Ohio State community each year.

“I think being editor-in-chief turbocharged my professional development, both in terms of the way people perceive me and the leadership skills that I developed,” said Roper. “It really taught me diligence, tenacity, and grit. Those things have served me well beyond my time in school.”

Making a difference and continuing to grow

Roper’s favorite quote about being a lawyer comes from civil rights attorney Charles Hamilton Houston. Known for his work dismantling Jim Crow laws, Houston once said that “a lawyer is either a social engineer or a parasite on society.” Roper keeps these words in mind and tries to advance justice in any way he can, no matter how big or small. Since graduating from Ohio State Law, he has sought to do this in two federal clerkships and during his time at Taft Stettinius & Hollister, as well as in his board service with the John Mercer Langston Bar Association and the Columbus Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. In each of these experiences, Roper has also found a way to make a difference as a young professional.

“It takes time to learn and develop your competence, but everybody has something to offer,” Roper said.

“At this stage in my career, I might need a guiding hand. On the flip side, I think it's important for young lawyers to recognize that we can move the ball forward and think through hard issues. There's value in what we're doing.”

Because his professors and other Moritz alumni helped him along the way, Roper feels a keen sense of responsibility to pay it back through spending time with other young lawyers. He advises incoming law students to reflect before they start taking classes. Knowing exactly why they are pursuing legal education can be helpful when things get difficult.

“Understand your reasons and motivations for wanting to come to law school,” he shared. “I think it's important to know that so when if you're frustrated, you can still be motivated and disciplined. From there, figure out how to get the most out of the experience. With every task, every test, every assignment, think about what you can get out of it.” 

By making the most of his own experiences, Roper is becoming a highly respected and knowledgeable practitioner. Fueled by his passion for justice and drive to make a difference, there is no doubt he is just getting started.