Jordan Furrow is a Social Justice Advocate in Training

Jordan Furrow is a student at

California Western School of Law (“CWSL”)

in San Diego, CA. Although Jordan is still in

law school

, he has provided outstanding assistance with a number of high profile cases and meaningful legal organizations. Before law school, Jordan worked as a pre-law clerk with Stock Stephens LLP on a high profile sexual orientation and gender discrimination case, Sulpizio v. Mesa College. As a law student, Jordan finds working with the California Innocence Project (“CIP”), a

law school clinical program

dedicated to releasing wrongfully convicted inmates,” to be incredibly rewarding. For more information regarding CIP's efforts and numerous exoneration's visit CIP's website at http://www.californiainnocenceproject.org/. Recently, CIP made the news for the organization's exoneration of Brian Banks, a former football star and USC Trojan recruit. A number of Jordan's personal and professional characteristics make him stand out among the law student crow, especially his passion for social justice and his grateful attitude towards the opportunity to work hard.

Personal Struggles

First, Jordan experienced a number of difficult personal struggles in the physical and social transition inherent in being transgender. Although Jordan was born a female, Jordan always felt out of place until he completed the transition to becoming a male. Despite the social stigmas, prejudices, and complex nature of his gender transition, Jordan focuses on the loving support he received from his family and friends. This sense of gratitude fused with the strength provided by his transition process provides Jordan with the kind of strength of character and backbone required for a life-long dedication to social justice.

Second, Jordan knows it takes hard work and a positive mentality to succeed. Jordan's personal philosophy is a two part philosophy. One part of Jordan's philosophy is derived from one of his many mentors at CWSL, Professor Glenn Smith, who said “suffering is optional,” or in other words it is important to stay positive. The second part of Jordan's personal philosophy is to remember that there is always something to be grateful for. Jordan avoids getting bogged down in complaints and stress because the negativity would get in the way of appreciating all of the opportunities. This law student is an advocate in training armed with motions, and he is often dedicating long hours to learn as much as possible so that he will make a difference.

Jordan's Story

Jordan grew up in Riverside, CA, until he was 13 or 14 years old, and then he moved to Richmond, Virginia. Jordan is an only child. He was blessed to grow up with two great mentors, his mother and father. Jordan's father is a college professor teaching philosophy, and his mother went back to school later in life attaining her undergraduate degree and her MBA while working full-time. Jordan's first summer job was going door to door as a political canvasser for the Sierra Club and other environmental groups. Jordan remembers that he had to memorize a script, gain comfort advocating for a cause, and out of 20 people maybe three people would donate. Jordan attributes working door to door as a political canvasser to his capacity to deal with rejection and his strength as a presenter and advocate.

Jordan's struggle with transgender prejudice provides fuel to study hard and become a great social justice advocate. As a child, Jordan received a lot of harassment in middle school. For example, every day for about a year fellow classmates would ask Jordan if he was a boy or a girl in a malicious way. Later in life, Jordan was targeted by hateful groups. In fact, one particularly outspoken group took it upon themselves to target Jordan and his girlfriend by posting a number of items on the internet and outing him on the internet. Although these experiences initially fueled Jordan, these experiences with transgender prejudice allow Jordan to relate to a variety of struggles.

While working with CIP, Jordan became aware of one of his greatest strengths as an advocate, the ability to connect and relate. Initially, Jordan was a little surprised at how connected he felt to the innocent prisoners he worked with. He noticed that innocent prisoners are marginalized by the social system. An innocent prisoner is subject to the story that is being told about him or her. These innocent prisoners are not able to fully express themselves and be seen for who they really are until they are exonerated. Jordan feels connected to this journey because he felt as though there was a story being told about him before he could express himself as a man. Jordan utilizes his life experiences to relate to the underrepresented. He provides others with a glimpse of the common thread running through humanity, the capacity for compassion. This capacity to provide insights into the plights of others and make the situation relatable is a core element in any great social justice fighter.

Despite Jordan's passion and dedication to the law, he was not always law school bound. After Jordan attained his Bachelor's Degree and

Master's Degree in Social Work

, he decided to alter his career path, and he began working as a pre-law clerk with Stock and Stephens. Although Jordan has a passion for social work, he wanted to advocate and make a difference within the legal system itself. Jordan is a fighter, who loves to argue. After working with a firm, Jordan dedicated himself to the law because he wanted to make a difference in someone's personal life and create change in a large social system.

Jordan gives credit where credit is due. Jordan had a number of mentors that have helped him along the way. First, Jordan's parents are both incredibly kind and hard-working people that taught him to have a strong work ethic and that “it is never too late to go after your dreams.” As a CIP student, Jordan is inspired by Jan Stiglitz and Justin Brooks for “everything they do from how they interact with the students to how they run the organization.” Jordan acknowledges that these are two of the most talented attorneys in the state, and he is inspired because they dedicate their time and talent to CIP. Additionally, Jordan acknowledges that he draws inspiration from other staff attorneys, volunteers, and the Program Manager. Further, Jordan's legal writing teacher, Professor Leslie Wallace, got him excited about writing, and Professor Smith enhanced his passion about studying the law. Jordan is grateful for all of his mentors both professionally and personally.

One of Jordan's greatest strengths as well as his greatest weakness is his capacity for self-reflection. This characteristic allows Jordan to connect and gauge his impact on others; however, this sensitivity can also be fuel to critique himself. Jordan is attracted to innovative people who consider their impact on others, are passionate about helping others, and connect with others on a deep interpersonal level. Typically, Jordan has a tendency to clash with people who don't consider their impact on others, and people who do not have the ability to self-reflect. Jordan relates to individuals that consider others despite being faced with adversity.

Jordan recalls two top memorable moments from law school. First, Jordan was meeting with CIP and being introduced to what it would take to work with the organization by Professor Jan Stiglitz, who said: “You will take this seriously. From this moment on, think of yourself as an associate at a firm, conduct yourself professionally, and ethically.” At that moment, Jordan realized that he was dealing with real people's lives, and he got fired up. Second, Jordan recalls visiting one of his clients in prison. After they had a great conversation about literature and playing chess, this client-a man that has been incarcerated for over 20 years- called Jordan to make sure he got home okay. Jordan remembers being struck by his client's kindness and thoughtfulness despite his situation.

When things seem difficult or insurmountable, Jordan remembers a client from his social worker days. This client had paranoid schizophrenia, and Jordan learned a lot from her. She was aware that her experience was different, and she was always on the brink of poverty. However, she was always joyous and grateful. So when Jordan's life seems difficult, he always thinks about her strength and joy.

Are you considering law school? Jordan suggests that you consider two things. First, when you go to law school, make the time necessary to fully commit to the experience. Second, when you enter law school, adopt the mindset that you are going to enjoy law school and remember “suffering is optional.” Although law school is a lot of hard work, Jordan is fortunate to be surrounded by amazing mentors. Through working with the Employee Rights Center and CIP, Jordan realized his passion lies in defending underrepresented groups.

According to Jordan, the law is a vehicle. The vehicle of the law may be used for both justice and injustice. Unjust imprisonment is one of the worst injustices, and by working with CIP, Jordan gets to do something about it. In five years, Jordan would like to be an attorney working with a firm or organization dedicated to advocating for social justice. Jordan hopes to lead a meaningful life where he is making a difference in someone's life every day and enjoying “every minute of it.” Jordan admires a number of faculty and staff working with CIP, the Employee Rights Center, the ACLU, the Prison Law Office, and the Transgender Law Center, and he admires President Obama for his commitment to being ethical and doing a good job as President.

When Jordan is not fighting for social justice, he is playing with his dog or cooking and spending time with his family. Jordan remains a loyal Michigan State softball fan.