Alexis Clinton is a retired U.S. Navy veteran, advocate and December 2025 J.D. candidate at North Carolina Central University School of Law. She lives with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs, often causing fatigue, joint pain and unpredictable flare-ups. The condition disproportionately affects women of color.
Her experience managing a demanding law school schedule while navigating a complex medical condition has strengthened both her resilience and her commitment to helping others.
“Fatigue and flare-ups can make it hard to maintain the fast pace of coursework, especially during exam season,” Clinton said. “I’ve had to become very organized and transparent with professors when I need accommodations. More importantly, I’ve learned to advocate for myself the same way I aim to advocate for others through preparation, communication and persistence.”
“There have been days when the pain or exhaustion felt overwhelming,” she said. “But I remind myself why I started to serve others. My support system has been incredible, and I rely on the same mental resilience I developed in the Navy, focusing on one step, one assignment, one goal at a time.”
As her journey progressed, Clinton’s leadership inside and outside the classroom began to mirror the discipline she learned in the military.
Before law school, the Monroe, Louisiana native earned her undergraduate degree from Virginia State University and later served with distinction in the U.S. Navy. The courage, problem-solving, and discipline she honed in the service now guide her work as an emerging legal advocate.
As chair of the Moot Court Board, a student organization that trains members in written and oral appellate advocacy while coordinating competitions and mentorship, Clinton supports fellow students and helps develop programming that strengthens advocacy skills across the law school.