EPD head of comms earns juris master

Traditionally, most law school graduates go on to be lawyers.

But for Morieka Johnson 94C 24L and other recipients of the juris master degree, there is the opportunity to learn from world-class legal scholars and take that knowledge into a number of careers that require one to look at situations through a legal framework.

Her work isn’t just law adjacent. She is on staff at the Emory Police Department, a cohort of 43 sworn officers who serve the Emory University, Oxford College, and Emory University Hospital Midtown campuses along with 28 administrative staffers.

Johnson is director of communications in the Department of Campus Safety at Emory University. She is co-chair of the Emory Black Employee Network and recipient of Emory’s Friend of Residence, Sorority, and Fraternity Life Award. Now, 30 years after earning her bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Emory, Johnson will become a Double Eagle.

She shared some insights about her law school experience with Emory Lawyer.

What made you decide to enroll in the JM program?

I learned about the JM program when I read a profile on my colleague Sgt. Ayinde Luqman, a 2020 graduate. At the time, I was considering a role with the Emory Police Department. After joining the team, I was proud to see that EPD strongly encourages employees to pursue continuing education. My role involves strengthening EPD’s connections to the community we serve. I realized that the JM program would enhance my skills and my contributions to the department.

Were you nervous at all about starting the program and, if so, why?

As an Emory alum, I knew the coursework would be challenging. I had some concerns about balancing the workload, but EPD program graduates Sgt. Ayinde Luqman and Lt. Anthony ReFour (JM 22), were so supportive. It also helped me to go through the program with a coworker. Describe how you felt before your first class. The night before class, I was extremely nervous. When we started the virtual bootcamp session, I took a screenshot as a memento. We dove right into legal concepts with Professor Robert Parrish and Professor Allison Thornton and I remember thinking, “There’s no turning back.” Do you have a concentration in the program? I concentrated on Employment Law, which includes the courses Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for Professionals. This concentration has given me valuable exposure to important legal concepts that will serve me well in my role with EPD, and beyond. My goal is to consult other agencies on implementing community policing practices. Transformative work often begins with a focus on employees.

How do you use this degree in your current work?

My role incorporates data analysis, legal concepts, marketing, mediation, and storytelling. Courses such as Dispute Resolution, Law and Legal Professionals and Business Oversight and Compliance have enhanced my approach to the role.

What was your favorite class?

Every class made me better. However, Contracts was probably my favorite. Contracts seem intimidating, but we enter agreements every day, from buying a car to accepting terms before updating a phone app. It’s so important to consider the details in these agreements. Fortunately, Professor Mindy Goldstein was incredibly engaging. She made this complex topic much more approachable.

Did you have a favorite professor?

I loved that Professor Goldstein gave us engaging, creative assignments that made difficult concepts more approachable. I also consider Professor Virginia Mellema a favorite. She taught Employment Discrimination for Professionals. This course has helped me advise colleagues on best practices regarding compliance with equal employment opportunity laws.

Who is your personal support system?

The program is challenging. Whenever I got discouraged, I remember a message from my pastor: “The grace that brings you to a challenge will carry you through a challenge.” I also benefited from having my colleague, Sgt. Christian Theis, go through the program with me. We have been able to keep each other uplifted and focused.