Roderica Gyamfi ’27, Lu Barrister Scholarship Recipient

As she begins her second year at Albany Law School, Roderica Gyamfi ’27 reflects on the support that has made her dream of becoming a lawyer possible. A Staten Island native and University at Albany graduate, Gyamfi knew early on that law school was her next step.

“Just having this exposure and seeing how advocacy plays a huge part in people's lives and being able to do it from a legal perspective is something that I knew I wanted to do, whether it was continuing on the criminal law track or some other track,” she said of her undergraduate internships in both criminal defense, working for the Albany County District Attorney’s office, and the political sphere at the New York State Capitol working for State Senator Andrew Gounardes.

Behind Gyamfi’s decision to attend Albany Law is the generosity of alumni who give back. The Julia Lu Barrister Scholarship opened a door that provided her with the invaluable opportunity to pursue her legal education.

“I was deciding between Albany Law School and another institution closer to home, and ultimately, the support Albany Law offered became the defining factor,” Gyamfi said. “It not only gave me the confidence to begin my legal education that year, but it also made the path ahead clear. That support empowered me to step forward with confidence and fully embrace the journey I had long envisioned for myself.”

Her gratitude extends to Albany Law alumni whose generosity makes Barrister Scholarships possible. 

“The Lu Barristers scholarship allowed me to start law school that year, ensuring that I could pursue my goals with focus, momentum, and purpose,” she said. “The fact that alumni are willing to give back shows how invested they are in the next generation of lawyers. It is my hope that I too, will be able to give back to prospective Albany law students.”

Now fully immersed in her Albany Law experience, Gyamfi has already made her mark. She serves as a co-chair of the Women’s Leadership Initiative, a role that has given her a strong sense of community. “Just being able to have all these great women as resources… is something that has given me a lot of comfort within my first year,” she said.

Additionally, Gyamfi serves as the competition associate of the Karen C. McGovern Senior Prize Trials, a subeditor of the Journal of Science and Technology, and a teaching assistant for Civil Procedure.

Looking ahead, Gyamfi is eager to potentially pursue a career in litigation. With the support of the Barrister Scholarship and the alumni who make it possible, her path to becoming a lawyer is clearer than ever.