O’quilla Jones: A Journey of Service, Scholarship, and Determination
In May 2024, O’quilla Jones stood in the Practice Court classroom of Baylor Law School, the anticipation in the air palpable as she prepared to compete in the Summer Mad Dog Championship. It was a prestigious occasion that many Baylor Law students strive for, yet few achieve. With a confident demeanor and a steely determination, O’quilla, a Baylor Law School 3L, navigated the competition with the skill of a seasoned litigator. By the end of the competition, she emerged victorious, earning the coveted title of Mad Dog Champion. Her story is more than just about accolades. It’s about overcoming challenges, seizing opportunities, and finding purpose.
Jones wasn’t destined for the ordinary. Growing up in a family steeped in military tradition, the armed forces were as much a part of her life as breathing. Her father, uncles, grandfathers, and brother all served, and the allure of duty called to her with an undeniable pull. At just seventeen, she enlisted in the Army Reserves, a decision that would forge a path less traveled and ultimately lead her to the courtroom.
After completing her undergraduate studies, O’quilla commissioned into active duty as a field artillery officer. It was during her service that the spark for law ignited. The intricacies of military justice, the weight of decision-making in high-pressure environments, and the profound impact of legal counsel on soldiers’ lives captivated her. “My time on deployment solidified my decision to become a JAG,” O’quilla says. “I saw firsthand how integral JAGs are in every aspect of the military. They do a little bit of everything, and it’s a well-rounded experience that I wanted to be a part of.”
The Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) bridged her military career and legal aspirations. FLEP is a highly competitive program offered by the U.S. military that covers the cost of law school tuition for a select few servicemembers every year. “One of the great benefits of FLEP is that we don’t have to work while we’re in law school,” she explains. “We are still counted as active duty soldiers. So we keep our salary, we promote on time just like anyone else. Our time in service continues, so it goes towards our retirement points, and they don’t ask much of us. We go to our nearest military installation during the summer and do a summer internship there. But our job is to go to school.”
Throughout her time at Baylor Law School, O’quilla has drawn on the discipline and work ethic instilled in her by the military. She has learned to balance the demands of law school with her personal life, which includes planning a wedding, getting married, and caring for her beloved dog. This balance, she believes, has been crucial to her success. She has thrived in Baylor’s rigorous academic environment, finding fulfillment in advocacy competitions and forging lifelong relationships with her competition partners, moot court partner, and mock trial team members. Her victory in the Mad Dog Championship was a particularly rewarding milestone, marking the moment when all the pieces of her legal education clicked into place. “The discipline aspect and the work ethic of military service have really helped me not get bogged down or overwhelmed with the schoolwork, especially during PC,” she reflects. “It’s put me in a position to be ready for when I graduate and become a litigator.”
O’quilla credits much of her growth and development at Baylor to the mentorship of Baylor Law School’s Director of Advocacy Programs and Lecturer, Robert Little, who has challenged her to integrate all aspects of her personality—military, professional, and personal—into her courtroom presence. His guidance helped her lean into her authentic voice as a litigator and gave her the confidence to succeed in the Mad Dog Championship. “Professor Little pushed me to allow all aspects of myself to shine through what I do in the courtroom, and that started the train of growth that led to my success in the competition,” O’quilla says. “I have a lot of respect for him and greatly appreciate his willingness not to let me just sit and be comfortable.”
As graduation approaches, O’quilla looks forward to returning to the Army as a JAG. Her passion for serving others, ignited during her time as a sexual assault and harassment victims advocate, would continue to fuel her work. One area of particular interest to her is the Army’s Office of Special Trial Counsel, which handles, among other serious criminal offenses, cases involving sexual harassment and assault—a cause she is passionate about. “I was a Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Victims Advocate before coming to Baylor, and it was one of the most fulfilling jobs I’ve ever had,” she says. “Being able to continue with that kind of work as a litigator would be incredibly rewarding.” “I want to make a difference,” she says simply.
O’quilla Jones is a woman of uncommon determination and purpose. Her journey from boot camp to the courtroom is a testament to her character and persistence, making her a remarkable member of the Baylor Law community and a future leader. Undoubtedly, she will continue to inspire those around her with her dedication, integrity, and unwavering commitment to excellence. As she prepares to embark on the next chapter of her life, one thing is certain: her impact on the world is far from over.
