5 questions with Zion Savory ’21

1. How has being a first-generation American affected your life?

The American dream is different for immigrants. Coming here you do everything you can because where you came from you could not. My family had the opportunity and took a huge risk to come to the greatest country in the world in order to exploit that opportunity.

2. How did you connect with Thompson Hine?

My first year, I attended a mock interview program at their office. Most of us first-years had never been in a law office. I didn’t have the grades to be a summer associate, but one of my interviewers, Christine Haaker ’91 [partner in charge of the Dayton office of Thompson Hine], talked of the possibility of an externship in two years. I wanted that and attained it. 

3. So what did you do about your grades?

That summer I interned with a firm in Miami. Once I was able put the things I learned in the classroom into practice at work, everything clicked. I also lost 100 pounds, which helped my focus and clarity of thinking. When I realized that lawyers are ordinary people who work extremely hard, I became more self-assured in myself and my work product, which allowed me to walk into my second year confident, and the grades followed. And when COVID hit during my second year, we had an option of taking pass/fail grades and retaining our previous GPA. I chose not to take that option. I bet on myself and got the grades, including the highest grade in my business law class.

“... when COVID hit during my second year, we had an option of taking pass/fail grades and retaining our previous GPA. I chose not to take that option. I bet on myself and got the grades, including the highest grade in my business law class.”

4. Did you get involved with activities outside of class?

In my first year, I joined the Business Law Society and the Black Law Students Association. I wasn’t much involved, but I was impressed by what Simeon Lyons ’19, BLSA president, was able to do. Second year, I ran for office. I lost. But I was named sergeant-at-arms. BLSA liked my drive. Marissa Weatherly ’20, BLSA president, gave me opportunities to be involved.

5. And your last year?

I was vice president of my class, chair of the board for Business Law Society and president of the Black Law Students Association. In the Ohio Attorney General’s mock trial competition, I won best attorney. And I got the Thompson Hine externship followed by an offer to return as an associate. I also was an organizer of a Zoom series titled “Let’s Get Real,” which fosters community conversations on social issues affecting Black and minority demographics. The death of George Floyd took a massive toll on me. In law school, I had gotten in touch with my Blackness, and it struck me that if I were stopped for a traffic offense, I could be handcuffed as appearing — because of my size — to be a threat. “Let’s Get Real” was born from that feeling.