Navigating Law and Legacy: Eric Grant’s Story of Grit, Heritage, and Ambition
As we reflect on the contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities across all fields, including law, we can find inspiring stories that resonate year-round. One such story is that of Baylor Law School 3L student Eric Grant, a native of Brownsville, Texas, who embodies the spirit of determination, pride, and academic excellence.
Like many, Grant’s introduction to law didn’t begin in the courtroom. He attributes his passion to his mother and stepfather, who inspired him in a less-than-typical location– the dinner table. “Both of them were police officers, and I was around a lot…when they were at the dinner table, they would always talk about law and talk about law enforcement mostly…[and] I was intrigued,” Grant said.
It was a high school course on the court system that fully ignited his passion. In the class, Grant had the chance to participate in mock trials that allowed him to step into the shoes of an advocate–a role that immediately felt right. “I think once I did that class, I knew for certain that law school was in my future,” Grant said. From there, his path was clear.
Though Grant heard that Baylor Law School was known for its intensity, he knew he could not back down from the challenge. Grant was drawn to the litigation program, knowing that its reputation was highly regarded before he applied to the school. “I think everyone who I spoke to who had gone to Baylor Law almost counseled against it because of the difficulty level, but in some weird way, I was attracted to that, so I think that’s why [I chose] Baylor Law,” he said.
After becoming accustomed to the rigorous demands of law school, Grant found a new way to challenge himself– Practice Court (PC). After participating for a short time, PC quickly became one of Grant’s proudest accomplishments. “I think [PC] is doing a great job of preparing us for our hardest days in practice, and I think that just the discipline that it takes to endure this and… the willpower, because it’s just so overwhelming at some points that it’s almost a badge of honor, in a way,” Grant said. Although Grant describes the experience as the “most difficult thing [he’s] ever done…and that [he’s] currently doing”, PC is the place where he sharpened his courtroom skills, immersing himself in heavy case readings, legal writing, and mock trials.
A large part of Grant’s identity is being bilingual. His ability to communicate in both English and Spanish has proven an asset to his legal journey. His bilingualism at his former job at an immigration law firm allowed him to be a resource to Hispanic clients. “I definitely used my cultural identity to connect with clients, to speak to clients, and to help the attorney in charge communicate her messages to her clients,” he said. “So that was awesome.” To him, speaking the client’s language was more than communication; it was about building attorney-client trust.
When discussing ways legal institutions can improve their students of diverse backgrounds, Grant had ideas to bring to the table. “I think that if law schools could focus on recruiting a diverse set of faculty…that could be one way of doing it,” he said, “because I think sometimes when you come from a different background, and you get thrown into the middle of Waco… it’s just a completely different culture.” Optics, to Grant, perform for miles regarding students’ confidence and comfortability in law school.
A family man to the core, Grant draws much of his work ethic and grit from his late grandmother, a woman whose trek from Salvatierra, Guanajuato, and Matamoros, Mexico, to the U.S. serves as the pinnacle of his heritage. “I can’t be grateful enough for her struggles and the struggles that she had to endure and things that she did for all of us…she was a very strong-willed woman, and I think a lot of her characteristics I kind of just picked from, and I took them, and I ran with them,” he said.
Many connect with their heritage through food or entertainment. Grant connects with his culture through music–it’s a direct line to his roots. Bachata, Cumbias, and Norteños are the soundtracks to his cultural celebrations. These melodies and harmonies will forever remind him of his family, a love and pride that defines his identity.
After completing his journey at Baylor Law, Grant will begin his career as a judicial bankruptcy clerk in the Eastern District of Texas. While his days of practicing immigration law have ended, the lessons he learned will guide his path through the legal field. No matter what he does, he will never forget the sacrifices people have made for him along the way and how his cultural heritage has molded his legal perspective.
Eric Grant’s journey from Brownsville to Baylor Law School highlights the rich contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities in law and beyond. His cultural identity serves as a guiding force, reminding him to honor those who paved the way and to remain grounded in his roots.
