James Woodall
President
Rev. James C. Woodall, Sr. is a rising 3L at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School and the incoming Student Bar Association President. An aspiring appellate attorney, he is committed to justice, equity, and public service. With over seven years of experience in the Georgia General Assembly and prior statewide executive leadership, he brings a strong foundation in policy, governance, and community engagement to his legal studies.
In addition to his academic pursuits, James has gained valuable legal experience through his work with the Civil and Criminal Justice Institute (CCJI), the DeKalb County State Court, and the DeKalb County Public Defender’s Office, where he has further developed his commitment to fair and equitable legal outcomes.
At AJMLS, James has distinguished himself both academically and through advocacy. He has competed as a member of AJMLS’s Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition (TMMCC) team at both the Southern Region Black Law Students Association (SRBLSA) and National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) levels, demonstrating excellence in legal analysis, oral advocacy, and teamwork. His commitment to service, mentorship, and leadership has earned him numerous honors, including the Clarence Seeliger Award from the DeKalb Lawyers Association, the State Bar of Georgia Access to Justice Award, the Southern Region Black Law Students Association (SRBLSA) Servant Leader Award for Subregion 1, and the Inspiring Peer Mentor Award, among others.
Deeply passionate about criminal legal reform, environmental justice, and economic equity, James is committed to using the law as a tool to uplift communities and expand access to justice. As SBA President, he seeks to foster a collaborative, inclusive, and student-centered environment that empowers his peers and strengthens the AJMLS community.
Nicholas Thornhill
Vice President
Nicholas Thornhill, a full-time third-year law student from South Fulton, Georgia, is driven by a deep commitment to serving his community through the law. Inspired by his grandfather, Gus Thornhill Jr., the first Black police officer in East Point, Nicholas carries forward a legacy of service, integrity, and leadership. He often reflects that he stands on the shoulders of those who came before him, a perspective shaped by being raised by a single mother as the youngest of three children.
A graduate of Kennesaw State University, Nicholas earned a degree in Finance with a minor in Sports Marketing. He began his professional career in the sports industry, working in basketball operations with Overtime Elite and serving as a head scout for Eagle Eye Recruiting. These experiences encouraged him to pursue law school as a pathway into the sports world, a decision that continues to guide his career aspirations.
At Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, Nicholas has demonstrated strong leadership and a dedication to academic and institutional growth. He served as President of the Sports and Entertainment Legal Society during the 2025–2026 academic year. He has also been selected to serve as Vice President of the Bar Association for the 2026–2027 academic year. Through these leadership positions, he looks forward to further advancing student engagement and leadership development.
His broader mission includes expanding academic offerings beyond traditional litigation, strengthening engagement with peer institutions, and raising the school’s profile in legal and professional spaces. He has contributed student polling data and proposals to support new courses in Sports and Entertainment Law. Backed by Dean Ellin and faculty leadership, these initiatives reflect ongoing efforts to align coursework with student interests and professional goals.
Nicholas remains deeply connected to his community through his work with Gus Thornhill Funeral Home, established in 1979. There, he helps lead scholarship initiatives, back-to-school drives, and holiday outreach programs. He also volunteers with the Next Level Boys Academy under Gary Davis Sr., mentoring young men from similar inner-city backgrounds while reinforcing the values of service, discipline, and civic responsibility.
A passionate supporter of the University of Tennessee and a frequent attendee of Atlanta Hawks and Braves games, Nicholas maintains a strong interest in the business and legal side of sports, particularly player and venue contracts.
Grounded in his family’s values, Nicholas lives by his grandfather’s words to always reach back but never look back. He remains committed to uplifting others without losing focus on his own goals and vision for the future. The foundation has been laid, and his focus now is on continued growth and building forward.
Amina Mashhour
Secretary
Amina Mashhour is a 2L at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, where she serves on the Student Bar Association Executive Board for the 2025–2026 academic year. A proud Detroit native, Amina earned her Bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and a Master’s in Public Policy from Wayne State University, which gave her a unique understanding of how policy becomes law and why both perspectives matter in practice.
Before law school, Amina built a strong foundation across multiple areas of law through several years of paralegal experience, witnessing firsthand the importance of good counsel and the power of a supportive legal community. She continues to deepen her legal skills through her advocacy work, including expungement clinics and community legal access programming.
Amina is passionate about plaintiff-side advocacy, access to justice, and serving underrepresented communities. As a member of the SBA Executive Board, she is committed to ensuring that every resource available to one student is available to all, because she firmly believes that we are stronger together and that we are each other’s biggest network.
In her free time, Amina enjoys outdoor activities, mentoring, community outreach, and connecting with those around her. Her door is always open. She encourages every student to find her, stop her, and introduce themselves.
Devin DiBiasio
Treasurer
Devin DiBiasio is a third-year law student from Richmond, Rhode Island, who relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to pursue his passion for the law and for advocating on behalf of others. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance, with a minor in Commercial Entrepreneurship, from Florida State University.
During his time at Florida State, Devin was an active member of the Delta Chi Fraternity, where he served as Vice President of New Membership and later as Vice President. In these roles, along with several additional chair positions, he demonstrated leadership, mentorship, and a commitment to fostering a strong and supportive community within the chapter.
Devin’s interest in the legal field developed through hands-on experience. In 2024, he
worked for a general practice law firm in Rhode Island, where he was first introduced to the profession and gained insight into the relationship between law and finance. In the summer of 2025, he interned with a John Marshall alumnus at Lewis Law, a firm
focusing on medical malpractice and personal injury. In the summer of 2026, he will return to Rhode Island to continue his legal work with the firm that first sparked his interest in the profession.
Outside of academics, Devin enjoys playing golf and disc golf, staying active in the gym, and participating in a variety of sports. He also has a strong interest in financial markets and economic policy.
Devin is honored to serve as SBA Treasurer and is committed to supporting his peers while contributing to the continued growth and success of the AJMLS community.
La’Nijeah Smith
Parliamentarian
La’Nijeah Smith is a 2L, rising 3L from Atlanta, with a strong commitment to public service and advancing fairness within the legal system. She graduated magna cum laude from Spelman College, where she developed a foundation rooted in academic excellence and community engagement. She is currently pursuing her J.D. at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.
La’Nijeah has gained hands-on legal experience through her work as a clerk, where she has assisted with court proceedings, managed case files, entered sentencing information, and communicated directly with attorneys and judges. Her professional background also includes experience as an administrative assistant, where she developed strong organizational and client-facing skills that continue to inform her legal work. This summer, she is externing with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, where she is further developing her understanding of prosecutorial decision-making and courtroom practice.
At Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, La’Nijeah serves as Vice President of the Black Law Students Association and previously served as an SBA 1L Class Representative, where she advocated for her peers and contributed to student governance and engagement.
Her interest in the law is grounded in a desire to understand how legal systems impact individuals at every stage, particularly within the criminal justice process. Through her academic work and practical experience, she has focused on developing the skills necessary to navigate complex legal issues while maintaining a client-centered approach.
Outside of her legal pursuits, La’Nijeah enjoys spending time with family and friends and engaging with her community. As she continues her legal education, she remains committed to growing as an advocate and contributing meaningfully to the profession.